"The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face." - William Makepeace Thackeray
Truer words were never spoken: "We are all mortal until the first kiss and the second glass of wine." - Eduardo Galeano, Uruguayan journalist
Cut flowers come and go, but elegant glassware is a joy forever. When choosing a vase, selecting one that is just as pretty without flowers as it is while holding them means it will always have a place at the table (or on the mantle).
Take care when drying fine glassware. Synthetic fabrics may scratch the surface, especially if the glass is painted or otherwise decorated. Cotton or linen works best.
Have you ever sat a table and wondered whose glass is whose? When a table is properly set, your glasses are always to the upper right of your plate. There can be as many as four, depending on the number of beverages being served.
The bowls of red wine glasses are fuller and rounder with larger openings than those found on glasses for other types of wine. The purpose is to provide greater interaction with air so the complexities of the wine can be appreciated.
Does your designer set of glassware consist of the brand names of jelly and jam manufacturers? While this may be fine for a quick sip from the tap, treat yourself to a set of elegant glassware to use for special occasions.
Have you ever sat a table and wondered which glass (or glasses) is yours? It can be confusing. When properly set, glasses are always to the upper right of your plate, and there can be as many as four, depending on the number of wines being served.
The Pilsner beer glass is tapered along straight lines from top to bottom in order to provide an excellent presentation of the color and clarity of the beer. Although they typically have a thick base, some models are stemmed.
There are four parts to a wine glass. From the table up, they are the foot, stem, bowl and rim. They play roles both individually and collectively in the enjoyment of wine.
Do you have glassware that you would like to have engraved? Laser engraving is one of the most effective processes, especially for delicate glass, including crystal.
Hand painted glassware requires special precautions during cleaning. Some cleaning chemicals can react negatively with the paint, causing it to fade or peel, or cause the glass itself to appear cloudy.
The stems on wine glasses are there for a specific reason – to keep the wine at the appropriate temperature while the glass is being held. When a hand wraps around the bowl, body heat will transfer to the wine.
The bowls of red wine glasses are fuller and rounder with larger openings than those found on other wine glasses, and they provide greater interaction with air so the complexities of the wine are more readily appreciated.
Cut glass is one of the oldest forms of decorative glass and of glass fashioned as art. It is made using different types of abrasive materials and cutting wheels, and is configured into the shapes desired. The development of cut glass dates back to the ancient Romans.
Hand painted glassware may require taking special care during cleaning. Some cleaning chemicals can react negatively with the paint, causing it to fade or peel, or they can cause the glass itself to appear cloudy.
The design of the champagne glass, the flute, is such so that it keeps the beverage from going flat after pouring. While other shapes may be used, for the greatest enjoyment choose the flute.
Removing lipstick from glassware can be frustrating and ineffective when using traditional means. Because lipstick contains wax, hold the affected area over a steam kettle to melt the lipstick and make it easier to wipe clean.
Have you ever heard about Dale Chihuly? Well, originally from Tacoma, Washington, Dale Chihuly is an American glass sculptor and entrepreneur best known for creating large-scale, colorful glass sculptures.
Did you know the first prototypes of glass ornaments were made in Germany by Hans Greiner? Around 1850, silver nitrate was swirled onto the decoration that produced a mirrored finish. When they dried, the ornaments were then hand decorated.
It is believed that the technique of ‘Glassblowing’ was invented by the craftsmen of Syria in 100 BCE. With the passage of time, the technique reached Egypt, Venice, and other parts of the world.
The tulip beer glass is designed specifically for Scottish ales and Belgian Abbey ales. The bulbous body and flared lip allows for proper head development while concentrating aromas that showcase the complexity of these ancient brews.
Fine glassware is also fine art. It is a combination of artisanship and beauty that elevates the mundane to the elegant. Hand-painted items such as vases, centerpieces, or serving and drinking vessels create an elegant statement about taste and charm.
Be careful with acid based cleaning products for glass. Used improperly, they can etch the glass, causing it to look dingy and constantly in need of cleaning.
