“Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.” ~ Pablo Picasso

Today I am digging way, way back into the archives of my memory bank remembering one of my first experiences of creating something with glass. I have vivid memories of being in the kitchen standing over my mother’s stove heating my brother Steve’s marbles in a hot fry pan. Next to me was a galvanized metal bucket filled with cold, cold well water.

I’d roll the marbles around in the hot pan until I was certain the marbles were very hot. Then I picked them up with the kitchen tongs and transferred the marbles from the pan into the bucket of water. Putting my ear to the edge of the pail, I listened for the “CRACKING” noises every time. But, since the glass was submerged under water, I couldn’t hear a thing.

Once I was certain the marble had cooled, I’d dip my hand in the pail and fish out the marble. No matter how many fried marbles I made, I was mesmerized by the crackled effect the process made in the glass. But, my brother Steve wasn’t too impressed. His marble collection was being depleted!

Baby boomer, do you remember making fried marble jewelry in the 1950s and 1960s? It was the rage!

“The finest thing we can experience is the mysterious…  which stands at the cradle of true art and true science.”  –  Albert Einstein

World-wide people are mourning the partial loss of one of the most revered structures in Paris. As most people are aware Notre Dame had a devastating fire to it’s structure. We’ve seen in other “homes to religious artifacts,”  which have also become infernos, when sifting through the ashes some religious icons, such as crosses, have been completely spared. Does it ever make you wonder how can it be?

Here is just one article about stained glass that was amazingly spared.

There is always evidence of reasons to be hopeful in this world isn’t there?

We communicate through art with symbols that transcend the boundaries of time and culture. ~ Richard Clar

Did you know in medieval times as well as today, in sacred places nearly every detail in stained glass windows is considered highly representational? The images not only depict stories but the colors used have specific meaning as well.

Consider the lily. If you see this flower incorporated in a stained glass window it represents devotion and humility.

How about them apples? What do you suppose that type fruit might represent in a church window?

More fun facts about Sea Glass –

• Orange is the most rare sea glass color mainly because there was very little orange glass made. …
• Turquoise is the second most rare sea glass color and the rarest type of blue sea glass. …
• Red is the third most rare sea glass color. …
• Yellow is the fourth rarest sea glass color.

Have you ever searched beaches for sea glass? If so, where have you found an abundance? Have you seen any spiny sea creatures in your quest for it?