I’m pretty lucky to be located in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by incredible displays of beauty both natural and man-made. Recently I visited the Tacoma Museum of Glass to get a better understanding of how glass making works. I would highly recommend taking a trip to Tacoma, Washington if you live in the area, and stopping by this museum. We appreciate the dedication our artisans take to create glass beads like lampwork and hand-blown glass, so I thought I would share the beauty found in other works of glass art.
The most interesting stop in my trip was visiting the Hot Shop inside the museum. This is where you can watch artists make glass products as they move through each process. I watched a dirty piece of scrap glass melt, mold and form into a colorful piece of art full of detail in just minutes. The artists used a process similar to how your favorite furnace glass beads like Fire Designs are made. It takes a lot of discipline to constantly blow and twirl a piece of glass to make it into something beautiful.
The outside of the museum features cool glass displays as well. I couldn’t wait to share these pictures with all of you!
By far the Chihuly Bridge, named after famous glass artist Dale Chihuly, was the most decorative display outside. You walk under a ceiling of glass with nothing but natural light illuminating your path, glowing through each colorful piece.
Further on are enormous glass towers that stand beside an overpass, guiding you to the Washington State History Museum.
I will leave you with some extra pictures I snapped outside. For more information on the Tacoma Museum of Glass, visit their website and plan a trip! Get inspired to create your own hand-crafted jewelry with some of our colorful glass beads for a small work of art!
-Marissa
I just love that place. The Chihuly glass in the bridge is truly amazing. I would love to be able to sit for a day or six and just watch whoever is working in the Hotshop…it’s always fabulous.
Thanks for reminding me of a wonderful place.
i beleive you can compete with any one blown glass in the world…how beautiful this is, definitely gourgeous…
I beleive you can compete with any blown glass in the world. Just beautiful, actually gourgeous. Whish could be there..to feel the beauty enter my mind and soul…
Chihuly stands alone in the world of glass. He has been a great inspiration to so many artists in a large variety of fields. One can tell upon viewing when work has been inspired by Chiluly’s glass…just as one can tell when viewing an original. Both are equally art, both have the potential to capture the imagination…Chihuly’s work just happens to lead the way into the unexpected and road less travelled. Thanks for sharing your photos!!!
Great pictures Marisa and on a sunny day too! Everytime I go there it’s raining. The outdoor exhibits are always changing so go back soon! It’s thanks to Dale Chihuly that we have this magical place…we are lucky.