Happy Halloween - Chihuly Style

Happy Halloween!  Chihuly really didn't have anything to do with Halloween--I just used his colorful orange tree for today's post.  It made me think of worms, too, which could be considered Halloweenish.  But really it's too pretty to even be thought of in conjunction with Halloween.

Chihuly Meets Monet

In the Monet Pool at the Denver Botanical Garden was this combination of Chihuly glass pieces (as well as some others).  The purple and green were a great combination and the lilies and water added to the effect.  Unfortunately a large, light-colored apartment building is a neighbor to the garden and it made a reflection on the water that didn't go so well with the exhibit so it was some tricky photography.  But the pool is big and there are other backgrounds so it worked out.

Kumihimo Magatama Necklace

The Kumihimo braiding continues and this one incorporates some "midnight" magatama beads.  Those are strange little beads and they have to be strung in an exact way so they face outward on the necklace.  I found it a little tricky and time-consuming but the result was worth the effort.  There are also some shiny little seed beads tucked in between the magatama for some "sparkle."  My daughter liked this one so it's hers.  And I have more of those magatamas in other colors to play with.  Need to build up my patience quota first.

Never Too Old

My husband and I had our first venture into a corn maze this month which goes to show that you're never too old for a new experience.  We went with our grandchildren (not a first for them) and let them choose the path.  We found our way out by using the system "keep going left until you have to go right."  It was something fun to share with the kids and it was pleasant to be out in the sunshine and fresh air.

The Stream

A stream flowed down a short hill near the Japanese Garden and collections of glass balls were strategically placed in the flat areas of the stream.  I didn't note a name for this collection.  See that starburst on the balls?  Plain, old luck--but what a nice touch.

Float Boat

Along with the Walla Wallas was a whole boatload of glass which was named Float Boat.  Shades of blue and purple made a lovely combination.

Pagoda

There wasn't an area in the Denver Botanical Gardens that didn't have a display of Chihuly, though I'm still wondering how they decided what went where.  This was in the Japanese garden and the glass pieces are called "Walla Wallas" which I thought was clever since both the Walla Walla onions and the artist come from the state of WA.  The pieces must have been anchored because they didn't appear to be floating around.  Question of the day, would these pieces be displayed on the ground of a water element wasn't available? hmmmm

Neodymium

There was quite a large display of these Neodymium spikes but I selected just a section of them to post.  They went through a rather open area and then up onto the rocks.  Very pretty--simple but effective.

White Tower

The pool in which the White Tower sat created a nice reflection of the glass piece and coordinated nicely with the pink color of the lily pads.  And there was even a lily or two in bloom to add interest.

I'm showing a closeup of the branches so you get a better idea of how it was put together.  And polka dots.  Who would have guessed?!

Cement Leaf Casting

My husband's sister-in-law introduced me to cement leaf casting a couple months ago and I've tried my hand at making several.  Most recently I did some with the grandkids, ages 10 and 13.  There are always mixed results but we all came up with one that we liked.  I was particularly interested in painting one in metallic colors and this was the result.  It has a pretty sheen, of course and the veining is quite deep which I like for contrast.  They are pretty much ornamental and make a nice base to display a candle, etc.  It's like going back to mudpies - only the mud hardens and you have something lovely when finished.

Saffron Cattails

These are some of the bubbles and cattails that keep company with the Saffron Tower.  They were in a big circle around the pond so there were many perspectives for a photo.  Very lovely, don't you think?!

Saffron Tower

The Saffron Tower is very tall and sat in a small pool of water.  There were dozens of saffron cattails and bubbles around it for a very brightly colored display.  It seemed like sunshine on the ground.

They Swirl

The Chihuly pieces twirl and twist and have amazing details within the glass.   Wouldn't you love to see this man at work?

Blue Cattails and Marlins

This collection of pieces sat in a trough of water and reflections in the water and shadows on the back wall added nice effects.  The blue against the red was also striking.  I'm wondering if Chihuly came to Denver at any point to form the plan for what went where.  Anyone know?

White Persian

This is a tall piece placed on a pool of water with a waterfall in the background.  It made me think of serving bowls and snowflakes and flowers.  The shape was completely different than other exhibits-- circles with stripes and ripples.  Very pretty.

Stripes

I swear that glass could go into an amazing variety of shapes and be twisted and curved dozens of different ways.  And these pieces especially make me wonder how they manage to ship the pieces without major breakage.  A radio interview with someone in the know indicated that they did have some spare parts and pieces in case of an emergency.  I just have to say again - "amazing."

Back To Chihuly

 

This little brown grasshopper did what we all wanted to do--get right in there with the Chihuly glass and have a really good look.  I might have missed this special shot except that a woman ahead of us saw the grasshopper and called for us to come for the photo op.  She didn't have her "big" camera to get the shot but wanted to make sure someone else did.  I thought that was very kind of her.

Tiny and small and BIG. Oh, my!

We hadn't gone in a few years and the grandkids were still willing so off we went to Lees Farm in Tualatin OR.  There seems to be new varieties of pumpkins every year but all that came home with us were the standard, no-wart, orange--except Grandpa's.  He is rather fond of the white ones.

With multiple piles and all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors there were enough there for us to choose from.  I don't know how other fared but they shouldn't have any any problem finding the perfect one.  And did I mention that it was perfect weather?  Not a drop of rain.

Cool Blue

I can't imagine how all of the glass is formed.  There was a short slide show to provide some information but there wasn't room in the small showing room so we weren't able to see it.  I just know there is a lot of variety in color, shape, size and texture.  And I know it is all lovely.  Chihuly can come add to my garden and leave an exhibit whenever he likes.

Orange and Yellow Chihuly

This is a closeup of one of the smaller displays of Chihuly glass in the Denver Botanical Garden.  It's tucked in among the plants that reside in the garden and is a great focal point.  It's part of a larger exhibit but I wanted you to have a closeup look.

Chihuly Glass Display at Denver Botanical Gardens

Last month I had the opportunity to see the Chihuly exhibit at the Denver Botanical Gardens.  It was  amazing.  Not only were there tall structures like this "Blue Icicle Towers" but there were also a lot of smaller pieces arranged throughout the garden.  If you have an opportuity to see Chihuly anywhere, I strongly recommend you do so.

Kumihimo With Focal Bead

Before we move on to another area of exploration, here's another Kumihimo necklace.  It's very similar to a purple one I did earlier.  I had planned to add coordinating beads where the small seed beads start but they wouldn't fit over the braid.  Ugh!  Note to self: check out fit and add beads as I braid if necessary.  I'm not beating myself up over this error.  It's a learning process and I'm feeling mostly successful.

Kumihimo - Totally Beaded

Welcome to my new blog.  I hadn't intended to leave my old space but an upgrade caused me to lose access to it and I was unable to fix that so here we are.  You'll find things much the same.

This is my first Kumihimo necklace which is totally beaded.  I used 8/0 seed beads and they are more brown than the photo shows.  The closest bead to the actual color are at the top.  I added some metal large-hole beads with some gold spacers for the focal points and the twist was just for the photo.  It lays flat when worn.  It went so well that I'll get more beads and try again!  And maybe the next photo will show a more true color.