| It is not often that someone living in Arizona | | | | past the smell. Even a gondola ride couldn't prove |
| would fly to Europe to shop for Christmas | | | | otherwise. Such a treat, an art in and of itself! |
| ornaments. I was actually shopping for a few | | | | Venice has a depth of history through and |
| clients, one of them with Italian ancestry. Their | | | | through. The city of Venice originated as a |
| lovely home in Paradise Valley needed those few | | | | collection of lagoon communities banded together |
| extra touches that only a "hands on" visual could | | | | for mutual defense from the Lombard's, Huns and |
| complete. | | | | other invading peoples as the power of the |
| While in Venice shopping, it didn't take long to | | | | Western Roman Empire dwindled in northern Italy. |
| have offers for a personal tour of the blown | | | | Yes, back to the blown glass history: Byzantine |
| glass district on the island of Murano (I think they | | | | craft men played an important role in the |
| smell money wanting to be spent). The thought | | | | development of Venetian glass. When |
| of unique Christmas ornaments became one of | | | | Constantinople was sacked by the fourth Crusade |
| my focuses as well as blown glass art in general. | | | | in 1204, some fleeting artisans came to Venice. |
| The boat docked near the Rialto Bridge to pick | | | | Even in a city renowned for its water, the many |
| me up and I was filled with the anticipation of | | | | glass shops became a source of serious fires. |
| visiting Murano, one of Europe's famous islands, | | | | Murano's reputation as a center for glassmaking |
| for the first time. | | | | was born when the Venetian Republic ordered |
| Unique Christmas ornaments were the last thing | | | | glass makers to move their foundries to Murano |
| on my mind as I journeyed on cobblestone roads | | | | in 1291 because of the many fires and destruction |
| and walk ways to enter the fabulous galleries and | | | | to the city's mostly wooden buildings. |
| on to the actual glass blowing experience. Famous | | | | More glass workers migrated when the Ottomans |
| artists are represented from all over the world. | | | | came to Constantinople in 1453, supplying Venice |
| The glassblowing process intricate and time | | | | with still more glass workers. By the 16th century, |
| sensitive. On the second day of full out | | | | the Venetian artisans had gained even greater |
| exploration I was ready to settle in on Christmas | | | | control over the color and transparency of their |
| tree decorations again. Decorated Christmas trees | | | | craft and had mastered a variety of decorative |
| are never complete without the reflection of light | | | | techniques. Some of these techniques are still |
| bouncing off blown glass Christmas ornaments. | | | | used today in glass Christmas ornaments and |
| You may ask what makes Venetian and Murano | | | | holiday decorations. The Italians carefully guarded |
| blown glass so special? Part of the history will | | | | their glass secrets. By the Middle Ages Venice had |
| intrigue you I'm sure! | | | | become the heartbeat of glass making. It is |
| My experience was amazing. The cobblestone | | | | reported that the city was once home to more |
| roads, historical buildings, galleries and especially the | | | | than 8,000 glass artisans. Venice was a major |
| family run businesses were my favorites. I was | | | | trading port, and the city passed protectionist |
| told that the water in the channels stunk! The | | | | laws prohibiting the import of glass and glass |
| channels must have been recently treated or, | | | | blowers from elsewhere. |
| possibly I was so in awe that, I was mesmerized | | | | |