The Museum Shop in Corning

I never go to a museum without visiting the gift shop because of the unique things museum shops invariably have for sale. On our recent trip to the Corning Museum of Glass, visiting the museum shop was a delight.

Chevrolet truck ready for delivery laden with huge glass pumpkins

When we were there the Hallowe’en Season had already arrived, the dark green Chevrolet truck was full of beautiful glass pumpkins. The dark green and the orange made it all look spectacular. In these crates and all over the gift shop, there were glass pumpkins of orange and other colours.

One of the many crates of pumpkins at the Museum Shop

You can buy Corning dinnerware and other kitchen glassware. Some beautiful glass accent pieces made by the artists at Corning are also on sale. The shop seems to be four in one and goes from beautiful high-end works of art in glass, to seasonal glass accents, to dinnerware, to small souvenir pieces. I could have taken an extra day visiting the shop alone.

My blue pumpkin made at Corning by artist, Glady West

I coudn't resist buying this lovely blue pumpkin at the Shop. It was made at Corning by glass artist Glady West who has worked with glass since 1982. I will incorporate this with my real live pumpkins on the dinner table on Hallowe'en.

Enjoying the Sheer Beauty of Glass

Stained glass window designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1905, made of handmade coloured and opalescent sheet glass

On the Labour Day weekend we took a small trip to Corning in the Finger Lakes area of New York, and visited the Corning Museum of Glass.  Corning is an old town surrounded by rolling hills. The main street looks like it hasn’t changed since the early twentieth century.



From left: Silesian glass 18th C., Dresden and Saxony glass 18th C., and Bohemian glass 18th C.

I was impressed by the great collection of glass that the Museum houses and spent a whole day there. I wish I’d had time to go back for a second day. The collection goes back to early times and houses pieces all the way back to ancient Greece and Rome. Besides its vast collection, the museum gives live demonstrations on glass making and has excellent exhibits on the history and uses of glass.


English Victorian glass

 

American art glass

 If you go to Corning, it’s worth spending at least two full days at the glass museum.


Early twentieth century Lalique



Early Holiday Shopping

A collection of unique treasures from ca. 1895 to 1950

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to avoid a mad rush during the 2010 Holiday season, and to start Christmas shopping early. September and October is when merchants have stocked up and are beginning to display their merchandise for the coming Season. At this time it is actually easier to find a good variety of the staple gifts such as sweaters, shirts, and gloves. The toy stores are not so jammed at this time allowing you to actually think when choosing that perfect gift for the delightful child on your list.

An evening bag that sparkles in the light, made of small steel beads, ca. 1920

Of course, for people on my list who like unique gifts, I always think of antique and vintage things, some of which might be found in my boutique. When buying an antique, always make sure it has been scrupulously cleaned, or you may clean it yourself as soon as you bring it home.

An English sterling silver evening bag/change purse, 1909

To avoid last minute gift wrapping, I always wrap gifts as soon as possible after I purchase them. An antique needs to be wrapped with extra care. If it is large, such as a piece of furniture, an attractive bow is all it needs. A small object can be wrapped in tissue paper and placed in an attractive paper gift bag tied with ribbon. Raffia tied around the handles of a brand new brown paper gift bag is especially appropriate. An antique can also be placed in a brand new box and wrapped with appropriate gift wrap. An antique or vintage gift should always be accompanied by a card or small note on parchment paper giving a full description of the object including the approximate year of origin, the place of origin, the maker, the material, and the pattern, if applicable. The addition of a history of past owner(s) is always welcome if it is available.

An English sterling silver 5 X 7 picture frame, 1954

Over the Holidays I like having favours for my guests on hand because we all become like children at that time of the year. Children’s favours are always easy to find. I will have small flashlights and tape measures for the men. I found these delightful pocket tissue packs for the women.