As you know, the Northwest....especially in the Seattle area....can sometimes be overcast and rainy as we head towards fall and winter. I don't really mind the overcast days and drizzle of the winter where we live because I know that we are blessed with the most gorgeous springs and summers anywhere once the winter is over. It is because of all the light drizzle we get in the fall and winter that we have all the magnificient green and vibrant flower color in the spring and summer.
Our rains are basically a drizzle most of the time in the winter. When my husband and I were planning to move to the Pacific Northwest near Seattle, many of my friends in Florida would say, "But, it rains so much there!" When they visit me in the Seattle area, however, they are pleasantly surprised to find out that our rains are really just a very light drizzle or mist. Only occasionally do we ever get a rain like they have in Texas or Florida. You know the kind.....the wait inside the store until it slacks off until you can run to your car to open it. I have lived in the Seattle area almost seven years now, and have only opened my umbrella about 5 times. :) You quickly learn here that rain stops nothing in the Northwest.....except maybe fireworks. You simply visit the nearest "Northface" shop, get a little waterproof jacket with a hood and just keep going...
So, with all this said, as fall begins to show it's face so do the overcast days and, today, is one of those days. I actually love an overcast day in the morning. When I woke up today, I opened my shutters while waiting for my coffee to brew and then lit a candle that brightens my day. Today's posting is on something that will brighten any day and any mood. If you have never heard of "Glassy Baby" before, I would love to introduce you today.
I love candles and have a variety of votive candle-holders. I just adore the look and smell of a candle burning in a room. Nothing says "welcome" like a candle. There is just something about a candle that transforms the whole mood of a room.
We use the word "light" to represent hope in the world. We hear the word so much...."light of day....light of the world....light of my life...light at the end of the tunnel...light my way...light of hope, etc." Or, as the song goes...."Come On, Baby, Light my Fire." Whatever "light" you are looking for in your life, Glassy Baby delivers! This little candle glows like none I have ever had before. The first time I put a candle in one and lit it in the evening, I could not believe the magnificient glow that these "babies" deliver! I was instantly in love with Glassy Baby candles and that is why I am putting them on my blog list of "My Favorite Things" today.
Each Glassy Baby is made by hand in Seattle. Because they are all hand-blown, each one is ever so slightly different. I like this because it makes my votive unique and different from all the rest. :)
The candles were created by a local cancer survivor, Lee Rhodes. In 1998, Lee was a mother with small children fighting what would become a seven year battle with a rare form of lung cancer. As the story goes, when she was going through treatment for cancer in 1998, she filled her home with candles which brightened her day and filled her with hope, a sense of healing and serenity. Having won her fight with cancer, she began to create these beautiful hand-blown large votives with the hope of making a difference in the lives of others who might be going through something similar in their lives. After learning to create these beautiful candle holders, she opened the door of her first shop, Glassy Baby, in 2003 in Seattle. You will find that many of the candles have names such as the one you see in my photos, called "Joy." There are also votives with names such as "happiness, hope or dream." Some names are related to an experience such as "Seattle Sunset." A few of the candles you buy will not only brighten your day but also the day of someone else. This is because some of the candles are connected to a certain charity or cause. When you buy one of these particular candles, a portion of your purchase money goes towards the cause that candle represents.
I would like to share some words from the the creator about Glassy Baby:
(Lee with her children)
"In 2003, glassybaby opened its first retail store. Today, the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle is home to the company's main store and studio, where a team of dedicated glassblowers produces an average of 200 glassybaby daily. The company also has stores in Seattle's University Village; in Bellevue, Washington; and in New York's West Village at 555 Hudson.
To honor those who have walked down her same path, Lee established glassybaby goodwill, which remains the company's foundation and mission. During her cancer treatment, Lee met many other patients who could not afford even daily needs such as bus fare, childcare, or groceries. Today, much of the money donated by glassybaby goes directly toward meeting those basic needs. Each year, the company spreads hope by supporting charities dedicated to health, healing, and quality of life.
"It is at the core of this company to give back," says Lee. "When I founded glassybaby, I never knew these little glass votives would have such an impact on people touched by cancer."
As each glassybaby leaves the door, Lee, reflecting on her own journey, knows that it will play a part of light, beauty and healing in a new story. This is our journey. We invite you to join our online community and share your story as others have shared theirs."
For me, the easy part was realizing how much I LOVED the Glassy Baby votives! The hard part is deciding which Glassy Baby to buy! There are soooo many beautiful choices which you will see if you visit their store or their website. When you visit the shop, the people in the store will do their best to help you narrow down your many choices, by offerring to light each one you consider so that you can see exactly how it will look with a candle burning in it. I want to thank the ladies who helped me at the University Village shop the other day and for being patient while I stood back and gazed at each one. I wanted them all! Ha! After looking at several shades in the red family, I happily went home with my "Joy" Glassy Baby. I plan to continue adding to my collection and already have another one in mind for my next shopping trip!
As I write in my blog today, I am enjoying the lovely glow my "Joy" Glassy Baby is creating in my upstairs den. The day may be dreary outside today, but as I write to you and sip my delicious cup of coffee, I am enjoying the light and warmth of my candle. Candles make a home feel so cozy and inviting.
I want to also point out that there are also other uses for a Glassy Baby. Many people also use them for drinking goblets, flower vases, or fill them with candy or nuts. I can already picture a orange hued Glassy Baby filled with candy corn for Halloween! Hmmmm.....that might be my next choice! I am eyeing a beautiful votive, too, that I spotted at the shop called "Jane's Caramel." Decisions, decisions....
If you visit the Seattle area, I hope that you go into one of the Glassy Baby shops and see these beautiful creations for yourself. You can watch them being hand-blown by the artists if you visit the main shop in Seattle. I have heard they even host parties and events there which would be a lot of fun!
For anyone who is interested, I am sharing the website at end of my blog for Glassy Baby. You can read much more and see all the beautiful creations on the site. You may order from their website, too. You can also find Glassy Baby on Facebook and keep up with all their latest information.
If you select a Glassy Baby to call your own, you will definitely see why Glassy Baby has made the "My Favorite Things" list on my blog.
I wanted to state that I am not paid anything for promoting Glassy Baby. I am just sharing this on my blog today because I love the candle-holders and also love you! May your day be filled with light, warmth and love. Have a beautiful day. xoxo Kim
As promised, here is the site....
Kim,
That 'glassy baby' candle is so pretty, and lights up so bright. I've never seen them before - this is a first. I loved the story behind it also. What a wonderful thing for her to create these beautiful candle holders in the hope of making a difference in the lives of others. You know I love the color red, and that's probably the exact one I would have chosen too. It looks so pretty on your table. I like how you combined Seattle's weather with the coziness of the candle. I have always loved candles, and I wish her shop was here where I live. This was great post today, Kim - one of my favorites.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Posted by: Red Rose Alley | Monday, September 26, 2011 at 04:44 PM
I love candles, too and end up buying more when the seasons change! This candle holder is beautiful...the light really does shine through and give a pretty glow! I'll go follow the link! Thanks for telling us about these! Enjoy your week..I know it's getting very busy now! ♥♥♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | Monday, September 26, 2011 at 05:08 PM
Hi Kim,
What a wonderful story, I too love my candles I have quite a few around my house I wish we had a Glassy Baby here in Australia I would certainly be a regular customer because of the Charity aspect and the story behind it's opening. Candles are on my favourite list as well I love your choice in joy I'm sure it brings you joy when it is lit she's a beauty as we say here in oz enjoy!!! Trish xox ;)
Posted by: Trish Rowley | Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 11:01 AM