Flight of the Hummingbird

According to this hummingbird migration map, we are getting closer to when the tiny birds will be arriving in the State of Maryland. The may be in southern Virginia by now.

If you reside in the northern climates it will take them longer to arrive at your windows. But we at MZ Glassworks can have a hummingbird, one of best selling light catchers, at your door quite quickly. A hummingbird’s popularity can be attributed to what they represent joy, prosperity, good luck and freedom. Something that’s been lacking in this time of social distancing.

Once the pandemic is well-under control, I think we will all be like the hummingbird flitting from here to there feeling rather neighborly! Take your friends and neighbors a stained glass light catcher from MZ Glassworks when you go to see them as a symbol of the joy you and they are feeling at spending time with them again.

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Casting New Light

Stand out. Shine. Be colorful. The world needs your prismatic soul!” ~Amy Leigh Mercree

I don’t know about you, but when I think of most stained glass installations, I think of Gothic churches where the windows served to tell Biblical stories or in buildings in the Medieval or Renaissance period where stained glass is used decoratively but also as a way of letting in the light.

When I came across this picture, I wanted to share it because although the room is abounding in light, the stained glass still beautifully enhances the space. This is a renovated apartment in a 1914 Belle Époque building in Antwerp, Belgium.

Isn’t it fabulous?

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Sensational Experience

“What makes things memorable is they are meaningful, significant and colorful.” ~ Joshua Foer

When spring comes around and the flowers become show-offs, I am reminded of a whole country full of show-offs this time of year. They all happen to be rooted and planted in Holland! The gardeners use their artistry to show the colors of the tulips off at their best, a wide spectrum! Just like I incorporate color into my variety of glassworks.

I like to revisit the pictures from my trip to Holland this time every year and dream of someday returning, Is there any time of year in the Netherlands that could be better? I don’t think so.

This shot from an airplane has been generously shared by many people with no copyright infringement intended. The purpose of sharing is so those who haven’t seen the country firsthand can have a chance to see the beauty in Amsterdam’s fields at this time of the year. The images helps us to understand the scope of the how many bulbs are planted and blooming all at once. Makes you want to go there, doesn’t it? Call your local travel agency, they can hook you up with tickets, travel regulations permitting. The season is short, however!

It’s raining here today in Maryland, so, its a good day to share some color.

Margy Ziegler in Holland a few years ago.

Happy Springtime and remember spring showers, bring May flowers. We are entering into the brightest months with bouquets of color in the landscape springing up everywhere!

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Steeplechase Season in Maryland

Yep! It’s Steeplechase Season in Maryland. That means the fox and hounds will be on the run across the beautiful rolling hills of Maryland. Coming up are the events in the northern counties such as in My Lady’s Manor in Monkton, Hunt Valley, the Maryland Hunt Cup, Howard County Cup Races, Potomac Hunt Races, and the Grand National in Butler, Maryland.

We at MZ Glassworks have an assortment of stained glass light catchers which would be great little tokens of remembrance for hosts of the parties that are usually given in association with these events. Or perhaps you’d enjoy giving a decorative fused glass pineapple to thank someone for their hospitality. Show your appreciation for inviting you to these fun and traditional events that the “horse set” in Maryland look forward to each year.

Head on over to our Whats Hot Now Portfolio or our Horses and Hounds Portfolio where you will find these seasonally appropriate gift items.

Happy Hunting!!

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Easter with Anglicans in Austin

Since we are only days away from Easter, we thought we’d share this beautiful stained glass window from an Anglican church in Austin, Texas. Magnificent stained glass windows exist in churches and other buildings all over the country. Maybe a few more churches will be open this Easter Sunday than last so the dawns early light of Easter Sunrise Services can be seen through the colorful glass windows in chapels, cathedrals, churches and other types of sanctuaries.

It’s fun to see stained glass made during different periods of history and in different parts of the country. There is probably not an stained glass artist who hasn’t been inspired by another artists work – its a great source of inspiration. Many artists feel a surge in creativity with spring.

We hope this Easter Sunday you will feel renewed and restored. “Rejoice and be glad.” ~ Matthew 5: 12

StFrancisAustin.org Installation in St. Francis Anglican Church, Austin, TX
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How is it Made?

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” ~ William Butler Yeats

Seeing how art is made is always fascinating. Seeing how stained glass windows are made is one of the more interesting mediums of art to see in the process. There are many steps and today we’d like to share this short four minute video with you because art education is important to keeping art alive from generation to generation.

Stained glass is a labor intensive art, but one we find so very satisfying. It feels good to do our small part to keeping alive an art which goes back to the days of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Enjoy this video on How Stained Glass is Made!

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Newly Commissioned Work

We at MZ Glassworks really enjoy doing commissioned, custom designs. Margy gets to use her graphic design skills and her skill at “syphering” how the pieces will come together in the overall design. Sometimes custom designs are like puzzles getting the sizing and the juxtaposition of the pieces and shapes just right. “That’s fun stuff!” says Marge!

The client who ordered our latest commissioned pieces wanted to give them to her two daughters for unique birthday presents.

So happy with the result, Margy is designing birthday flowers for the every month of the calendar year. Let us know if you wish to special order a piece for someone you love or for your own birthday month!

Daffodils are the flower of the month for March birthdays

Lily of the valley for the month of May.

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A Lucky Token

It’s March 6th, and you know what that means! St. Patricks Day is just around the corner. The weather may not quite be conducive to searching fields of clover to find that 4 leafed Emerald gem which is said to be special.

But we at MZ Glassworks have Shamrocks in our inventory, if you are looking for a lucky token to give to your favorite lad or lassie. Act quick though, shamrocks go fast and so does time! So contact us through this website if you’d like us to send you one for gift-giving!

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The Call of Spring

If you are a bird watcher, I bet one of the things you look forward to with spring just around the corner is getting outside more and hearing the birdsong. The mockingbirds, robins, sparrows, catbirds, orioles, cardinals all have their unique calls.

We’ve posted just a few pictures our or favorite birds. But we have many more varieties in our nest. Follow this link to see our full bird portfolio. Perhaps you’ll find your favorite tweeter! What a  nice gift to include in Easter baskets for your favorite birdwatcher.

We are counting down until spring. We bet you are too!

 

 

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Keeping the Kids Busy

Hang in there! The longest part of the winter is behind us. Have you noticed the days are getting longer?

You know what that means don’t you? More hours of the day to have the light coming in the windows showing off stained glass art.

 

If you are wits end trying to occupy the little ones, we’ve dug up more faux stained glass projects for kiddos. Here is a link to 16 time occupiers which will introduce your child to stained glass crafting on their level of ability.

 

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