Blowing up pumpkins

Today was the perfect introduction to fall: a high 60s, somewhat breezy and overcast, windows open kind of day. James and I used the day to catch up on our busy lives, most of which involved mopping the entire house and doing laundry. However, I did get to use some of the day to drag out my autumn decorations.

During my mini-decorating session I came across two little glass pumpkins that James and I were able to make at a local glass-blowing studio. A few years ago we went to Flame Run and met with a glassblower to start the process of creating some special fall centerpieces. I had been wanting to do a "blow your on ornament" session for a while but when the opportunity arose to make pumpkins instead I had to jump on it. I would much rather have fall than winter anytime, and the longer I can stretch out my pumpkiny, leafy, and cozy season the better.

So we headed downtown to get started on our pumpkins. We had come at the perfect time, in between larger groups, and thus, had the opportunity to work with the glass blower independently. We first started by perusing other blown pumpkins. Some were rather average - orange with green stems, however some were outrageous - pink with white stems, purple with blue stems, rainbow colored and clear. Now, you know us better than that... so traditional it was. We picked out our different shades of oranges and yellows and headed back to the studio.

It was a rather chilly day, but inside the studio with the glass ovens burning it was toasty and warm. We got started with our glass blower and he walked us through each step. First, he pulled a glob of hot glass from the pool of liquid glass inside one of the ovens. He rolled it up in the specs of colored glass that we had chosen and then stuck it back into the glory hole - the bright red glowing oven. This melted the glass specs to the existing clear glass and gave it some color. We had chosen two colors each, so he repeated this process again with our other colors.

After he had gotten our colors all fused together he stuck the hot glass ball into a mold, which would give the pumpkin its' ridges. He blew into the long pipe until it expanded into the mold and pulled it back out.

At this point it was time to get our pumpkins into shape! We each blew into the long tubes while the glass blower spun the pumpkin around in circles and shaped it a little bit more.

After we had plumped up our pumpkins to the right size they were pulled off the tubes. They sat there on a towel, glowing red hot, and waiting for their finishing touches.

It was at this point that the glass blower worked in our stems. He had gone through the same process as with the pumpkins, except rolling them in green specs. He took the hot glass and placed it on top of our still warm pumpkins. He pulled the glass out a little and started to twist the pipe, giving the stems the distinct ridges, as well.

When he had the base attached to the pumpkin, he quickly twirled it around another pipe, giving it a little curly stem. Adorbs. You can still see in these pictures how hot the glass stems are, they aren't even green until they cool.

Once he had made sure the stems were attached all the way, and had tucked them in, we had to wait at least 24 hours before we could pick them up. Since they were still so incredibly hot when we left them, we couldn't even tell what color they would end up being. Now, you know me and you know that doesn' fly for long. I am the most impatient human being on the planet, so, as soon as I got the call that the pumpkins were ready, I took my lunch break to drive downtown and pick them up. I love them so much! Mine is the bigger clearer one on the right and James' is the littler one. Not only do we have these perfect little pumpkins to set out for 2 months out of the year, but we have a great story, too!

A side note is in order... I briefly mentioned a surprise we have a'brewing... Well, James and I are waiting for confirmation (tomorrow) and your only hints are that... you can fully expect my pinterest to be blowing up and this is about to be a whole different kind of blog...