The Minute Gourmet

Glass blowing is an art form that has been around for a long time, but interest in it died down until the 1960s, when it underwent a renewal. There are lots of quality artisans blowing glass objects of all kinds. From hand blown glass vases to ornaments and other items, there are lots of options available for decorating your home. There’s a real difference between hand blown and machine made art glass, so make sure you know what you’re getting. Let’s take a look at where these beautiful objects came from.

Blowing glass has been around for a long time – probably since about the first century BCE. Evidence has been found in a waste heap from Syria that suggests that people were blowing glass. However, it didn’t get a lot of attention until the craft was mastered in Venice during the late medieval era. Workers on the Island of Murano learned how to make high quality hand blown glass vases, goblets, globes and other items. Many incredible fine glass pieces came from this era and location, and the Venetian government actually forbade the workers to leave the island, rewarding them instead with titles of nobility.

Holland and Germany were also working with glass during this period, but they weren’t focusing much on blowing it. Instead, these countries became masters of glass engraving. The world of glass blowing changed relatively little between the seventeenth century and the twentieth, strangely enough. However, by the 1960s, interest in glass blowing as an art, rather than a mechanical process, was renewed. It started with professors at the Toledo Museum of Art, who held workshops to experiment with the art form, and only a few years later Dale Chihuly, world reknowned artist, came onto the scene.

With all these new artists coming into glass blowing and creating abstract sculptures, hand blown glass vases and more, this became one of the fastest growing art forms in North America. All kinds of glass blowers are producing beautiful work in all kinds of sizes and shapes, and there’s a good chance that someone is working in your area. Whether you prefer deep blue cobalt glass, green glasses, or swirled and painted glass, there are pieces you’ll love.

Antique hand blown glass is also popular with collectors. This glass can come in all kinds of decorative shapes, sizes and patterns, and is extremely valuable to the right person, making it a good investment for some. Glass objects are like having jewels of your own, whether large or small, cylinder shaped, rectangular, round or square. So, no matter who you are, you should check out your options in hand blown glass vases and other decorative objects. Art glass items are hot right now, and you’ll need to get them while they’re still available.

Clint Steiner – Discover all about Hand Blown Glass Vases and Art Glass content.

Glass Coaster Set $12.95 Glass coaster set with wood stand. When stacked, these four coasters create a whimsical, colorful, piece of art. Take one out of the stack and you have your very own unique coaster! Set of 4.

Michaelangelo Masterpiece 20oz Cooler Iced Tea Glass $17.99 Made from lead free blown crystal glass. Set of 4 coolers. Made by Luigi Bormioli. Lasercut and reinforced fine rim. Dishwasher and handling safe.

Michaelangelo Masterpiece 15.75oz Double Old Fashioned Glass $17.99 Made from lead free blown crystal glass. Set of 4 glasses. Made by Luigi Bormioli. Lasercut and reinforced fine rim. Dishwasher and handling safe.

Michaelangelo Masterpiece 9oz Juice Glass $17.99 Made from lead free blown crystal glass. Set of 4 juice glasses. Made by Luigi Bormioli. Lasercut and reinforced fine rim. Dishwasher and handling safe.

12 Ounce Glass Dispenser Olive $5.99 The perfect hand painted decorative dispenser ideal throughout the household for everything from oil and vinegar sauces and condiments to soaps lotions and bath oils. Makes a great gift too 12 inches tall Decorative Clear glass with hand painted olive design Hand wash

Aqua Globes Mini As Seen On TV $9.99 Waters plants automatically with the perfect amount of water for up to two weeks. Each globe is individually crafted hand blown glass. Just fill it up and press it into the soil of your plant. As your plants soil becomes dry it releases oxygen into the globe which in turn releases exactly the right amount of water.

Pazzo Biscotti 6 Pack- Classic Almond $4.95 This scrumptious hand-crafted biscotti by Biscotti Pazzo contains all natural ingredients, no preservatives and zero trans fat. Classic Almond- 6 pieces.

Imperial Chunmee- Loose tea $11.95 Hand selected in China. This traditional tea sometimes referred to as Precious Eyebrow, is often preferred by Western consumers for the straightforward, hearty green tea character. 3.0 oz.

Pazzo Biscotti Pack- Key Lime $9.95 Inspired by the flavor of tropical Florida, this scrumptious key lime biscotti is hand-crafted by Biscotti Pazzo and contains all natural ingredients, no preservatives and zero trans fat. Sweet, slightly tangy and oh-so-delicious!

Flowering Teacup $19.95 Watch as the tea leaves unfurl in this beautiful tea mug! Made of pure glass, and no metal parts, this mug brews natural tasty tea. Includes 4 flowering tea buds and is microwave and dishwasher safe. Holds 12 oz.*Perfect for on-the-go or at your desk. Just drop in your loose tea, add water and go!

Fringe Studio Dot Printed Glass Plate $19.95 This Fringe Dot Printed Glass Plate will add just the right touch of color to any space. Vivid hues in an elaborate design envelop this glass plate. This charming collage is eclectic and colorful. A perfect accent by itself or can be used as a candle holder for your pillar or tealight candles….

Fine Art Lamps 571040 Byzance 3 Light Ceiling Pendant in Antique Gilt Bronze with Pale amethyst hand blown glass dome glass $8,344.00 Morrocan Ceiling Pendant in Antique Gilt Bronze with Pale amethyst hand blown glass dome glass from the Byzance Collection by Fine Art Lamps. Dimensions: 54 H 33 W…

Fine Art Lamps 575940 Byzance 3 Light Ceiling Pendant in Antique Gilt Bronze with Hand blown pale amethyst glass. glass $4,052.00 Morrocan Ceiling Pendant in Antique Gilt Bronze with Hand blown pale amethyst glass. glass from the Byzance Collection by Fine Art Lamps. Dimensions: 51 H 18 W…

Fine Art Lamps 576040 Byzance 2 Light Flush Mount in Antique Gilt Bronze with Pale amethyst hand blown glass font glass $2,892.00 Morrocan Flush Mount in Antique Gilt Bronze with Pale amethyst hand blown glass font glass from the Byzance Collection by Fine Art Lamps. Dimensions: 14 H 19 W…

Fine Art Lamps 576555 Byzance 2 Light Mirror in Antique Gilt Bronze with Features hand blown pale amethyst shades glass $5,420.00 Morrocan Mirror in Antique Gilt Bronze with Features hand blown pale amethyst shades glass from the Byzance Collection by Fine Art Lamps. Dimensions: 52 H 34 W 10 E…

Fostoria: An Identification and Value Guide of Pressed, Blown & Hand Molded Shapes $21.95 …