In preparation for an upcoming trip abroad, I’ve been doing a lot of research on Venice, and one of the highlights has been learning about Venetian glass. Everything about the craft fascinates me—starting with the fact that all the glassmakers were moved to the island of Murano (about a mile off the coast of Venice) in the 13th century to eliminate the fire hazard their furnaces posed to the city itself, where the buildings are so close together that any blaze could be catastrophic. I also have a deep appreciation from any craft that has been passed down through families for generations—and the art of Venetian glassmaking has been a family tradition for centuries for most Murano “glass masters.”

There are several American distributors of imported Venetian glass, and one of the best online sites I’ve seen is VenetianGlassArt.com (from which the photos shown here were taken). Although I typically think of vases and tableware when I think of Venetian glass, I love the idea of using it in jewelry. (Think of the mixed-media possibilities. I'd love to see it combined with some delicate metal clay work!) You can learn more about the art form and find a directory of reputable worldwide distributors at Venetian Glass Info.

Happy Friday,

Jessica