Jill's Journal: Even if we hadn’t just studied the art of glassblowing in first grade science, we still would have stopped in at The Glass Forge in historic downtown Grants Pass because visitors can watch the work floor through viewing windows. But it was better than that.
The artists/glassblowers/glassmakers invited us onto the work floor itself so the girls could get a close-up view of everything from start to finish. These two guys were awesome. They walked the girls through the entire process, joking all the way.
And if that wasn’t enough, they made “Dory” and “Squirt” from the movie Finding Nemo out of glass, which kept the girls really interested. It was amazing. The girls spent close to an hour completely mesmerized and sharing a large fan to keep cool near the 2,300 degree forge.
The guys said dragons’ breath powers their fires and the two youngest believed them for a few moments. Erika told one of the gentlemen she had learned Phoenicians accidentally discovered how to make glass about 3,000 years ago and he was really excited to find out young people knew just a smidgeon about his art. He then took the girls and showed them all of the different tools they use that were invented by the Egyptians around 2,000 years ago and haven’t really changed since.
They wanted the girls to hold and touch some completed items, much to my fear we’d break something. Happily, we didn’t and the girls loved this little turtle.
What a fun afternoon. I asked the girls what they thought when we got back in the car and Madelyn said, “It was terrific! I liked it even better than the playground.” You just don’t find higher praise from a 5-year-old.
3 comments:
Erika, Madelyn and Victoria glassblowing is something I always wanted to learn to do. Isn't the glass beautiful while it's being worked on and then finished. I find the whole process facinating and very enjoyable. Did you get to keep any of the glass the two artist made for you to see how they do it. There is a place in Louisville that helps you blow glass with an artist that you get to take home.
Granma
Hello,
Glassblower Dennis here, thanks for the post. I hope you guys are having a wonderful experience.
Thanks for coming into The Glass Forge and entertaining us. Remember, when blowing glass, keep it on center.
:)
Hey, Glassblower Dennis!! How fun to hear from you. We had a ball visiting The Glass Forge. Thanks for the awesome experience!
Post a Comment