One of best glass collectibles, I think, are Christmas ornaments. These come in several varieties: thin-walled tree ornaments, thicker-walled ornaments, and lampwork ornaments.
Round Christmas ornaments with painted or glitter decoration are easily found.
Thin-walled ornaments, light enough to be hung on the ends of tree branches, have been exported from Germany, Poland and many other places in Europe. These are usually sold in sets of matching ornaments, or sets with color variations. Sometimes the set will include shiny and matte balls of the same color.
Glass Christmas ornaments are also made in appropriate shapes, like this Santa.
Special shapes like bugles, pine cones, lanterns, teapots or bells are also sold in sets of six where each one is a different color. The round shape is probably the most common, but teardrop shapes and a mushroom-type shape with a wide shoulder and narrow drop are also available.
The thin glass ornaments comes in many shapes.
These shapes may be smooth and use additional decoration, or the glass may have depressed areas with facet-like sides to decorate the ornaments as well as the color.
This ornament has a recessed star-burst shape to enhance its presence on the tree.
Once the basic form is made, the ornament is then painted in part and glitter or “snow” added to complete the design.
This appears to be an older ornament, based on the cap and the ornamentation.
For a long time these ornaments have been available in large shapes, but small ones, suitable for a table-top tree were hard to find. About a decade ago, however, smaller ornaments became available at Garden Ridge stores. I am sure other stores carry them also, but I was so delighted with the appearance of any small ornaments, I went crazy. I bought at least twenty sets of these small ornaments, each set a different shape and containing six or eight ornaments. Our tree since then has been aglitter with tiny, shiny glass ornaments.
Beautiful Christmas ball and golden beads.
In the old days, mid 20th century, beads such as these were also made of glass and not plastic. The light glass beads are really fabulous additions to a Christmas tree.
Individual artists are now creating unique ornaments and selling them through gift shops and on-line. These ornaments are very nicely done and can make excellent yearly gifts, helping a young person prepare for the day when he has his own house to decorate for Christmas. Christopher Radko is one such artist. He prepares a number of elaborate designs each year. Other artists also make limited runs of Christmas ornaments. In addition, some artists paint plain mass-produced ornaments and make they unique by adding your pet’s portrait, or your child’s, or other images. Merry wishes, names and dates can also be added to make special ornaments to commemorate special occasions.
This glass ornament is made from thicker glass and weighs considerably more than the thin-walled ornaments.
Thicker-walled ornaments are usually pretty heavy, and can only be hung on the stouter limbs of large trees. Even then they cannot be hung at the end of branches, but closer to the trunk of the tree. But they make bowls or vases festive, and can be used as part of a table centerpiece.
This ornament is made by lampworking thin glass rods into the shape desired.
Lampwork ornaments are usually sold individually or in sets of two or three. As seen here, the ornament may be a creche with individual figures. Airplanes, train locomotives and animals are also popular choices for this kind of glass ornament. Lampworked glass can be made into nearly any shape, and these ornaments have a lacy, delicate look.
Icicles are a fun lampwork Christmas ornament to add to your tree.
Finally, glass trees, angels, Santa Clauses and reindeer are available to decorate your house for the holiday season. Collected over years, they can add up to an impressive collection. With the end of the year and all the festivals marking the turn of the solar cycle, glass is an optimum material for items celebrating the return of light to our houses and hearts.
Glass trees can be a beautiful addition to a table or mantle during the holidays.
* * * Another author with words about vintage Christmas ornaments. * * *
The images on this post are from Stock Xchnge.
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