It is a great feeling to find a hidden gem. Thursdays are my day to clean my glass. No one likes using dirty glass. Nothing is more off putting than a dirty bong or rig when your have guests over. I like cleaning on Thursday mornings because the house is empty, which is great, normally its very active and LOUD with the sounds of kids. Not really the greatest environment to be cleaning my glass collection at the kitchen sink.
By the way, did you know that glass breaks easily?
There are many ways to clean out glass: alcohol and salt works well, hot water isn’t enough and glass cleaner can be expensive. However this time, I was feeling fancy and needed that clean aromatic scent of citrus in my life. Unfortunately for me I was all out of the 710 type cleaner and I’m not lucky enough to be in the Amazon same-day delivery region. My only option was local shopping, so out I went to check out a new store and grab my purchase. I love supporting local business when I can. There is something to say about that instant gratification of a purchase in the era of internet purchases. What should have been a quick trip, turned into an unexpected, but very satisfying adventure.
The Location
Traveling down the street to the local tobacco shop wouldn’t be much fun. I’m happy to have the convenience, but it simply would not do this time. A little over six months ago, a new store called “Blazin Vibes” opened on the other side of town. I had met the owners while attending a Connecticut NORML meeting and I felt it was a great time to stop by and check out how they were settling into the new digs.
The store was nice: not too big, not too small. They had a little of everything for everyone. You like spoons… check. You like china glass… check. You like heady glass… check. Did I mention the prices there were very fair as well. The owners of this shop love to support local and regional artists which was clear by the selection. They had local paintings on the wall for sale and local glass littered throughout the display cases. It was nice to see the compassion and appreciation for the arts. One of the owners and I, started to talk and next thing I knew it was two hours later. He was very genuine and interesting.
The Hidden Gem Calls Out
In between our conversation and other customers’ needs, I was able to really get a good chance to look at all the pieces. There was a lot of variety and each artist was easily identifiable. Around my third walk through the shop, something caught my eye. I wasn’t there looking for a new piece, but this one piece of functional art was calling out to me. I can’t explain it, but I was consistently drawn towards this one item at the bottom of a floor display case.
I don’t know if it was the coloring, the design, or the unique sandblasted glass that gave it the look of seaglass glistening atop the sand on a hot sunny day. It reminded me when I use to spend time on the beach looking for shells as a child. I use to love spending time on the beach with my grandfather, before he passed away. I just needed to have it. I was so consumed by this gem that I almost left the store without the cleaner I originally walked in for.
Unwrapping the piece at home, I had the desire to take some pictures of the new find. I called a friend over to see if we could get a little shoot going and to see what his thoughts were. He was shocked to hear how affordable this amazing glass art cost. The look was unique. The function was superb. However the most important thing was I was extremely happy with the purchase.
The Photoshoot
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The Name
Every great piece of art deserves a fitting name. Leonardo had the “Mona Lisa” and my favorite the “Last Supper” (Aka The Last Dab), Van Gogh had “The Starry Night” and Edvard Munch had “The Scream” to just name a few historic works of art. Regardless of the material, great artworks can transcends time. Since this glass spoke to me, it only feels right to give it a name. It maybe the flower talking, but a buddy and I fell in love with the name Denver, as in Denver the Last Dinosaur. If you remember this show which only aired for two years in the late Eighties, you had an awesome childhood like yours truly.
