Every time I go to Grapevine, Texas I remember why they call themselves “The Christmas Capital of Texas!” It’s nearly impossible to take in all the holiday offerings there, and each year I discover something better than the last. This year, my mind was blown by what will surely become a new holiday tradition in our house. We visited Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery and got to help make our very own glass ornaments. Vetro calls it Extreme Ornament Making!
And it is so much fun!
Upon arrival I was checked in, and brought into Vetro’s Glassblowing Studio. Stadium seating made it easy for us to take a seat and watch as others were making their own unique creations. Soon our name was called, and we got to meet David Gappa, Vetro’s founder. He was so warm and friendly, my 7 year old and I were immediately put at ease. He helped us pick out the color combinations we wanted for our ornaments.
My daughter went Christmas traditional red, green, and white coloring – and I asked for rainbow! David brought out a mix of colors he nicknamed “Skittles” and it looked like every glass color combined. I was excited to see how they would turn out, and I didn’t have to wait long!
Extreme Ornament makers that are age 14 and under, add their color with help from a glassblowing artisan away from any danger (see the video below). Those age 14 and over – can actually turn their hot molten glass in the furnace themselves as an artisan helps them know when to turn it. It’s a lot of fun – and it’s really a great way to get an appreciation for what glass artists do.
Glass artist Spencer Crouch was our guide, and I appreciated his patience and explanation of each stage of glass ornament making.
Would you like to try your hand at making your own glass ornament? Here are the details:
Where: 701 South Main Street, #103 Grapevine, TX 76051
When:
The Process:
• You select colors from our entire color palette of glass
• You apply the colors to the hot molten glass gather
• You heat the colors in the 2,000 degree furnace (14+ yrs)
• You stay by the artist while he/she blows out the ornament and adds a glass hook
More info: Price: $50 (plus tax) per ornament, reservations needed. Make your extreme ornament making appointment by calling, 817.251.1668.
Check out the Vetro Website: http://vetroartglass.com/?event=extreme-ornaments
I highly recommend the Vetro Extreme Ornament Making experience! Not only are we walking away with a beautiful and one of a kind glass ornament for our Christmas tree this year – we are leaving with a wonderful family memory!
This experience is great for families, for making a special gift for a loved one, it would even make a great date night! Put this in your “must do” holiday list, and you wont regret it!
Many thanks to Vetro for the invitation to experience the ornament making experience. All opinions are my own.
About Shannon SchmidShannon traded in her sensible NYC TV producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots when she married her best friend! He's at fault for making this Yankee a Texan! Shannon writes about all things that make a house a home. Her chief blogging inspiration is being the proud & slightly neurotic mom of a preschool age daughter.
You can find Shannon on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and her new favorite place to hang out, Google+.
Leave a Reply