Jacob Stout Fine art glass and the Winter Sun

The winter sun and Jacob's American made hand blown vessels are a wonderful combination.

Using techniques perfected in Venice 500 years ago,  he enjoys applying these skills to modern glass design. All of his work begins  from the raw ingredients, silica, soda and lime, melted at 2500 degrees  into a hot, gooey liquid we know as glass. With a steel blowpipe he is  able to gather the hot glass on the tip and blow a bubble into it. As his assistant blows into the pipe, Jacob sits at a bench and uses steel hand tools to manipulate the bubble of glass into a desired shape. A punty  (solid steel rod) with a small gather of glass on the tip is then stuck on  the bottom of the vessel, and the piece is cracked off the blowpipe.  Once transferred, the top of the piece is finished and tapped off into  an annealing oven to be cooled slowly.

His uses watermelon colors when creating the pair of opposite colored pitchers.  The match of size and color saturation is near perfect. 

Now add his matching bowl.  The variety of textures and color bend the light to dance on the table.

This process of glassblowing is very quick and requires much concentration, practiced technique, and good assistant communication. The study of these techniques inspires his forms and design choices. Smooth curves and transition of lines combine to create the figure of these vessels. Because no molds are used in his work, each piece displays a one-of-a-kind, hand-made appearance.

These are on display at the Harvest Gold Gallery in beautiful downtown Center Lovell, Maine on Kezar Lake overlooking the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Mount Washington.

Cereal Made Interesting

On a recent trip to Florida to do some shopping for Harvest Gold Gallery I had a chance to visit my Dad.  

He likes his cereal every day but wants it to be interesting.

So he has started mixing and matching all sorts of brands to create his own special kind.

Thanks Dad for a fun way to start the day!!

Museum Quality Master Hot Glass Artists At Harvest Gold Gallery

 Stephen Lundberg was one of the first Hot glass artists we began to collect.  This was years before we ever thought we'd have a Gallery.  Of course, his work looks lovely in the natural light with so many layers of color and clear the vase becomes almost 3-dimensional.

 Charles Lotton.  Yes, that's right The Charles Lotton was one of our first Hot glass artists.  We had such good taste!  His work paved the way for the American Hot glass artists of today.  Shattering the myth that the Europeans were the best glass artists.  Now we carry the next generation in Charles' family.  Several of his family members have become involved in the business Scott Bayless perfumes are beautiful and Jim Heer has the Caliliy perfect in the vase and perfume.

 Orient and Flume's artists use amazing detail in their work.  Each is signed and numbered, highly collectable.  This company is based out of Southern California and has been producing fine quality work for over 20 years.

Watch for more on our Hot Glass Masters.  We have only just begun!

Good Morning moon over Center Lovell Maine setting over Kezar Lake and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  Mount Washington is a sliver of reflected sunrise light.

 

Some Favorite Custom Pieces

This was a great season for custom pieces.  These Tree of Life rings are made in white gold with the sapphire gems from the girls Great-grandmother's ring which was broken beyond repair, by their mother for Christmas.  Such a cool way to remember our ancestors. 

These sapphire earrings were custom designed for comfortable everyday wear that looks amazing.  He started the process and she picked it up and together we came up with these.

This heavy sterling silver Tree of Life dog tag style pendant with heavy cable chain was perfect for the young man turning 18 on his high school graduation day.  Congrats Chase:) 

The crinkle cuff has been Bill's new idea.  So far he has been very successful with this new narrow version in yellow gold with the matching earrings.

And of course there has to be one picture of Kezar Lake in Center Lovell Maine overlooking the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  So pretty.

A Happy and Peaceful 2012

2011 was a great year here at Harvest Gold Gallery.

 2011 a great year for jewelry and beautiful American made fine art and crafts.

2011 was a great year for beautiful women wearing Harvest Gold Jewelry.

 The winter season sparkle with Maine pink tourmaline earrings.

 Summer sizzles with sterling silver and lots of warm sun.

Thank you.

 Peace be with you and yours this coming year.

The View in Center Lovell

People ask us all the time, "Do you ever get tired of the view?"  Bill's new sterling silver cuff frames Kezar Lake nicely, don't you think?

We thought we would just share a few beautiful moments we have witnessed this season here in Center Lovell on Kezar Lake overlooking the White Mountains of western Maine and New Hampshire.

The Mountain ring in 14k white gold and the White Mountains, could you ask for a better background?

The mountains in this sculpture carved out of a moose antler by artist Sherri Medley, mirror the horizon.

Live edge wooden picture frames and bowls, made in America, of course everything we carry is made in America,  and the skyline make a natural combo.

Early morning mist and the pink sky,

Add the full moon and some sparkly white snow,

And a new design is born!

Pastel colors with an early season dusting of the white stuff make you feel the frost in the air.

Bill's new Krinkle cuff in white gold is available in yellow gold and sterling silver too.

We always are checking out the view and will keep you posted on as many beautiful moments as we can.  Thanks for a great year here at Harvest Gold Gallery.

Kezar Lake Memoirs book signing and Holiday Open House

Harvest Gold Gallery presents the book, Kezar Lake Memoirs edited by Catherine Ingram Stone.

            In the summer of 1889, five young men arrived on the shores of Kezar Lake in Lovell Maine and set up their tents for five weeks.  They climbed the surrounding mountains, caught abundant fish, and thoroughly enjoyed “camp life”.  These men kept extensive records of their early visits to Lovell.  Photographs, including those from their first camping expedition in 1889, still exist.  

            Kezar Lake Memoirs is a collection of those writings, which reflect a defining time in Lovell’s history.  The population and economy had been in decline for many years and tourism was about to become Lovell’s major industry. The five campers witnessed and documented the growth of hotels and boarding houses and changes in the lake’s usage and the area’s wildlife.  They wrote about the long-lasting friendships they developed and the folklore they heard.

            Catherine Ingram Stone is the great-great-niece of Arthur Stone, one of the original campers on Kezar Lake in 1889.  Catherine earned her masters degree in Political Science from NYU and went on to teach there as well.  She has always been a summer resident of Lovell and in 1996 she became fulltime. She has served as President of the Lovell Historical Society since 2003.  Proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Lovell Historical Society.

            Over one hundred years later, her family of three grown daughters and her dog Finnegan continue to enjoy Arthur’s property on Rattlesnake Island.  

            Harvest Gold Gallery presents the book Kezar Lake Memoirs edited by Catherine Ingram Stone.  She will be available to personalize and sign your copy during our holiday book signing and Open House December 9^th from 3-6pm.  Wine and cheese will be served.  Come and enjoy some holiday cheer and the beautiful artwork in lovely downtown Center Lovell.  Open daily 207-925-6502 and always on the web www.harvestgoldgallery.com