One of my favorite things to make is gifts for friends. I can make a truly customized present. Here are several projects I’ve worked on over the years.

Wedding Bowls

This is a wedding gift for a young friend. It started out as curtains for the Magritte piece. I loved them but they had so much pattern that they distracted from the image. So, feeling like Scarlette O'Hara, I recycled the curtains. As previously mentioned, those damn curtains took a looooooong time. I think I will make a lot of bowl sets. But nothing this special. The bowl has a lot of texture which is unusual in a bowl and I really like it. It’s on display at the Bolinas Museum, so Sarah will get a “museum piece” for a wedding gift.

Graduation Plates

My niece is graduating from Berkeley High School. Guess what their school colors are. Go Yellow Jackets.

Retirement plates

A friend retired after working all over the world. These plates celebrate the many countries in which she was stationed over the years.

Japan-Inspired Gifts

Red, black and white entered my color pallet after we visited relatives in Japan. The Shinto temples and shrines are breathtaking. Conveniently, Bullseye Glass Company occasionally makes a special glass in those colors, and I grab all that I can when it is available. At first I made thank you gifts for those we visit in Japan, fairly simple pieces to show off the glass and the color. Later I learned to make murrini [glass rod with colored patterns that are revealed when the rod is cut crosswise]. and added it to what is now a continuing series for very special occasions.

Graduation: UCLA

Can you tell that my niece graduated in 2020?

65th Birthday Plate

Square Top Mountain in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. I made this for my National Outdoor Leadership School buddy’s 65th birthday.

35th Birthday Petroglyph Plate

Birthday gift for the daughter of the NOLS buddy. The petroglyph is in the Dinwoody style and is just up the hill from their house.

Wedding Invitation

This was a wedding gift for a good friend.