And so the pace quickens just a little because I refuse to rush my work. I've got new designs to finish and favorite pieces to reshoot ...

Yesterday I received this beautiful postcard from a faraway friend.
How exciting to hear from Heidi who is in New Zealand! We share the same glowing enthusiasm for stained glass, and with her extensive travel and wonderful photography, Heidi's discoveries always fascinate.

This postcard from The Nelson Provincial Museum features "Weave", designed by Jo Ogier and constructed by Robyn Hall and Glass Craft of Nelson. On the back is a detailed description of the work, the process, and each panel. The luxuriantly-colored stained glass represents historic and natural symbolism tied to the Nelson region.
So much treasure in one little piece of mail!

1. Precious Finds..., 2. Out to Sea..., 3. Soap Sea Shells...

1. Very Traditional..., 2. winter pales, 3. Affresco's stairs

A lighter purple hue of the regal amethyst is offered in a giveaway, with details noted in comments here. The winner may choose these 11mm light amethyst vintage glass jewels set in sterling silver posts with or without plating in 24K gold.

Bold, mysterious, and exotic.

It is the costuming and jewelry that give Greta Garbo's Mata Hari definition. As the drama unfolds, I'm again fascinated by how she jumps
off the silver screen.

'Nothing is so beautiful as spring -
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;
Thrush's eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing ...'
- extract from Spring by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Thinking about the bright colors of spring and made these earrings.

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."
~Charles Dickens

Eyecatching and energizing, these emerald vintage glass earrings are hand set in sterling silver.

A back-lit Gothic-style faux stained glass window in many shades of purple, features Henry Davis Sleeper's collection of 19th century amethyst glass. The magnificence of these rich hues is awe inspiring.

I would not be surprised if it was a purple and violet sunset that whispered to Washington Irving when he wrote, 'There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.'

Commissioned to make an Art Deco inspired piece, the result is a custom antique-cut amethyst ring. Hand created at my bench, incorporating gold and two diamonds from her family jewelry.

This brief video features the greatest Gothic cathedral in France, Chartres Cathedral.

Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, its massive doors open to a magnificent though dimly lit interior with 167 glowing stained glass windows that capture light in luxuriant colors. In the forward to his guide, the custodian Etienne Houvet describes the celestial beauty of these windows, saying it is as if you were "clad in a garment of gems". The vivid indigo hues are the most ethereal shade of blue, known as Chartres blue.

It's the most wonderful time of the year and the perfect day to do a little baking! Using my soft and chewy sugar cookie recipe and colorful hard candies broken into tiny pieces, the house is filled with sweet cookie smells and the results are glittering edible treasures.

Your favorite sugar cookie recipe will work, or try one of the recipes with tips for making windows here.

Having used Lifesavers since my earliest baking days, today I tried Jolly Ranchers instead. The colors seem more vibrant. I combined different flavors on individual cookies, and the bubble-filled panes remind me of mouth-blown variegated glass. Once cooled, cookies easily peel away from the foil. Mmmm!