Murano Glass Pendants Prized the World Over for Their Purity

Murano glass pendants are world-famous for their purity, elegance and years of tradition of making glass. The use of finest raw materials results in artworks of unequaled purity- a trademark that makes Murano glass pendants and other items much sought after. Owning and wearing glass pendants made in Murano is like flaunting a fine piece of art. Each piece is handmade and no two pieces are alike. Still Murano glass objects are handmade using traditional processes and not mass-produced. This makes your Murano pendant a unique and highly prized artwork. You will feel stylish and graceful, whether you wear a casual outfit or a classy dress or a night gown. Murano glass jewelry is one of the beautiful adornments women can rely on to enhance their beauty.

Why to purchase glass pendants from Murano?

One of the important reasons to buy glass items from Murano is its authenticity. Unfortunately, with the rise of globalization,the market is literally flooded with fake glass products from the Far East and places far away from Murano. Some of the competitors choose to make profits by selling these fake products.

How to be sure of Murano glass pendants and jewelry?

People value and appreciate the beauty and its rich history. So, to avoid such types of counterfeit products, people should know how to buy original Murano items. Following are some tips to help people buy authentic Murano glass jewelry like pendants, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

•    Specialized only in Murano glass: Opt for sellers that don’t sell anything else but only Murano glass products like pendants, beaded necklaces, small personal accessories to tableware, home decor, lighting, mirrors, etc.

•    Connection with glass masters personally: The products of Murano are handmade personally by glass masters and artisans. They work over the years and develop many beautiful glass effects and techniques and produce beautiful glass items. With constant feedback, they work hard to achieve high quality products that follow the latest trends.

•    Assurance of quality and origin: Each original Murano glass item comes with the certificate of authenticity in Italian and English to assure you that the glass items you purchase are genuine. Each piece has the signature of the glass master. They have stickers of only official Murano glass consortium or written Made in Italy on products.

•    Venetian artistry and Murano glass artistic heritage: Due to fake glass products Murano glass industry is incurring heavy losses. Even most of the shops are closed down due to difficulty finding enough clients. To value Venetian artistry and Murano glass artistic heritage, you have to acquire some knowledge about real Murano glass items and then buy it from reputed and original sellers.

How to use Murano glass pendants?

Use handmade Murano glass pendants to create simple necklaces with the addition of a leather cord or chain. Most of the lamp worked pendants come with holes and can be strung simply on a leather cord or chain.

Shop for the best-quality, authentic Murano glass pendants and Murano beads Italy at OriginalMuranoGlass.com, based in the island itself. An owner of a traditional Murano glass factory, this online business has emerged as the ultimate destination for Venetian glass products for the last few years. From glass sculptures, vases, hand blown drinking glasses to Murano glass sconces, centerpieces, Venetian mirrors, glass photo frames, and Murano wedding favors, you can discover hundreds of mesmerizing artworks by visiting this website. It delivers products safely and quickly worldwide.

Murano Glass Factory: A Guide to Venice’s Glass Island

Murano Island is located on the north side of Venice. In the year 1291, Venice government ordered glass masters to move their furnaces to Murano for fire safety reasons. Since then, the glass objects that have been made in Murano are famous and sold worldwide. The artisans have been constantly refining their techniques to create all kinds of glass effects.The artworks they produce have been known for their highest degree of quality and creativity for centuries. Glass makers usually pass on their craft to the next generation in their family.

How to get there?

You might be approached by different salesmen who offer the service of taking to the Murano Island and their furnaces by free boat rides. If you take the offer, then be prepared to buy the items in their showrooms with a lot of pressure. Visiting Murano by using a public means of transportation is much preferred. Once you reach the island, get off at any store. Make a plan to spend a half or full day to stroll through various shops.

Where to visit?

If you want to see glassblowing in action, then visit the island in the morning of weekdays and keep your eyes and ears open. Most of the major glass studios do not allow walk-ins (you need prior bookings), but you never know you could encounter one. There is one furnace that is generally open for visitors every day. It is called “Ellegi Glass”.However, it is recommended to make an appointment at their website OriginalMuranoGlass.com to experience the best service. After getting off from the public boat stop "Murano Faro" you just need to walk a couple of minutes at your right, passing the lighthouse, along the bank, until you reach building number 4B. Inside this traditional factory, you can see a live demonstration of some classic techniques of glass blowing.

Tips for visiting Murano glass factories

•    First, try to visit a Murano glass factory in the morning and don’t expect much action in the lunch hour.

•    In Venice, public transportation is much convenient. Think wisely before going for the pick and drop offer of salespeople.Some of them may unduly pressurize you to buy glass items from their showrooms.

•    If you are a serious collector or buyer of glass objects, you may be able to visit some of the important furnaces by appointment. If you have any contacts in Murano, it is suggested to make arrangements through a gallery, dealer or decorator.

•    Glass factories are normally closed during August, though a few tourist orientations may stay open.

A trip to Murano is easy but the thing is when you wander through the small shops, you may fall in love with some glass pieces. Instead of buying from them, it is recommended to attend a free demonstration conducted by a popular glass factory first. Next, you may visit their shop/showroom to enjoy the entire range of artworks they make and buy some in the end. Sometimes, they will hand you some free samples. Most often, you can get a chance to buy their unique and beautiful glass items at discounted prices.

Original Murano Glass (Ellegi Glass) owns a traditional, yet famous Murano glass factory that produces lots of vintage Murano glass artworks with the help of experienced glass masters every day. As mentioned earlier, you can see a free glass blowing demonstration inside this factory by making a prior appointment at OriginalMuranoGlass.com. The website is also a one-stop shop for Venetian glass lamps and chandeliers, blown glass figurines, drinking glass sets, Murano glass mirrors, beaded jewelry, and beautiful gift items for various occasions.

Murano Glass Fish Aquarium: An Unveiling of the Wonders of the Deep Sea

An aquarium is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic animals or plants are displayed. It is a water-filled tank in which fishes swim around.Small aquariums are usually kept in homes by fish lovers. In many cities, there are larger public aquariums.

Most of the aquariums consist of glass panes bonded together by 100% silicone sealant and plastic frames are attached to the lower and upper edges for decoration. A glass aquarium can be constructed up to 1000 liters. The first modern aquarium made of glass was developed in the 19th century. Earlier, glass aquariums commonly had steel or slate bottoms which allowed them to be heated underneath by an open flame source of heat. These aquariums had glass panels attached with metal frame that was sealed with putty. Sometimes, laminated glass was used which had the advantages of both acrylic and glass. For many years,glass aquariums have been a popular choice to decorate homes. Compared to acrylic, glass aquariums are more scratch resistant.

Instead of keeping live fishes and underwater animals in the aquarium, have you ever thought of adorning your home with a Venetian or Murano glass aquarium featuring beautiful lifeless fishes? A stunning work of art, the Murano glass aquarium sculpture is handmade using very difficult techniques like Sommerso. First, the glass master makes the little fishes and afterwards, they are molten in glass stone at a higher temperature. This can also be an innovative way to have an aquarium at home. There is no maintenance at all. You’ll never have to feed them and never change water since they never die. And you can have a nice holiday whenever you want!

Following are some of the best Murano glass aquariums handcrafted by glass masters.These are available in different sizes to decorate your home.

•    Small sized aquarium ball: The lovely fish ball aquarium is made with Sommerso technique. It is handmade by a difficult technique. As mentioned above, the glass master first creates the tiny fishes, which are then molten in a glass stone at a higher temperature.

•    Round aquarium: These aquariums are also handmade with Sommerso technique. This is a creative way to have an aquarium at home since it doesn’t require any maintenance and the fishes never die; you know why!

•    Fused glass aquarium: This beautiful sculpture is made with the technique of fused glass. It is handmade in layered glass.

•    Tropical aquarium: This luxury sculpture is made with the Sommerso technique and comes with a LED light to let it shine. It is full of charm and elegance and a fantastic piece of art.

•    Fish abstract: This abstract sculpture is worked free hand on a punty in solid glass and also polished by hand. It is rich in elegance and attention to details.

These are some of the popular Murano glass aquariums made using original Venetian glass making techniques and are a great gift idea for any occasion. You can bring home a genuine glass fish aquarium made in Murano by ordering it from OriginalMuranoGlass.com. This big online Venice glass shop offers a wide variety of glass animal figurines, glass bowls for centerpieces, exclusive vases, drinking glassware, chandeliers, mirrors, jewelry, original corporate gifts, and so on.

Murano Glass Beads: The Art of Making These Elegant Beads

Before delving into Murano glass beads, we should first learn a bit about Murano glass. It is a type of glass exclusively made in Venice, primarily in the island of Murano. The place is popular in the whole world for its colorful, intricate and skillfully made products.

The Art of Making Murano Glass Beads

The procedure of making Murano glass is rather complex. In this whole process, glass passes from a liquid to a solid state. In between, there is a state when the glass is soft before it hardens completely. This is the particular time when the glass can be given different shapes. Murano glass artisans use different tools such as borselle, canna da sofio, pontello, scagno, and tagianti to accomplish their tasks.

For over 5000 years, beads have been made of glass. The discovery of fire was an important step in glass bead making. The history of bead making in Murano shows it all started when Marco Polo returned from his travel with the beads of Asia. Then local artisans took the Marco polo’s precious stones and produced the beads in glass by using their skills.

Wound Beads or Lamp Work Or PerleaLume Venetian Beads

Wound beads can be defined as ones having wound over a mandrel at the time of melting glass. Originally, the Venetian beads are the wounds over a ferrous mandrel which are then covered by a mixture of clay and silica which gives the bead some space for contraction. After it becomes cool, it is removed from the mandrel.

What Is the Difference Between Murano Beads and Venetian Beads?

Truly, there is no difference. It’s only a matter of marketing terms since Venice is more popular than Murano.

What Are the Beads Made of?

They are mainly made of 70% silica. Venetian beads are made of a type of glass known as soda glass with 90 degree COE which is a measurement of expansion in cooling and heating. The beads start to be made from glass rods produced in Murano. The round beads are very strong. The longer beads and shapes that have points are delicate. But it’s better to treat them gently as these are made of glass and can break.

Why Are Murano Beads Costlier Than Others?

While determining the price of glass beads, several factors need to be considered. One is the cost of labor. Another one is the availability and desirability of the product. In Venice, glass beads are still handmade. There are a limited number of people practicing this craft in Venice, so supply is also limited. They always provide original, high quality products. So, Venetian beads are not cheap to buy.

How Can You Take Care of Glass Beads?

Before using them, it is recommended to give the beads a good bath, because the process of making beads is importantly a chemical process. This way, there will be no residue left on beads. Soap and water are used to clean and make them shine. There is no need for stronger solution.

If you’re looking to buy Murano beads Italy, then it is advisable to visit OriginalMuranoGlass.com that specializes in authentic, handcrafted Murano glass artworks and boasts of its own factory on the island itself. From contemporary to vintage Murano glass, the online store offers a host of Murano glass pendants, necklaces, earrings, rings, and wrist watches. In addition, buyers can browse through their selections of glass animal figurines, drinking glass sets, chandeliers, Murano glass mirrors, sculptures, bowls and plates, home decor accessories, Murano wedding favors, and lots of other gift items.

Venetian Glass Popular Worldwide for Being Unique and Colorful

Venetian glass is a type of glass products made in Venice, primarily on the island of Murano. It is popular worldwide for being colorful, elaborate and skillfully made. Most of the important characteristics of these products were developed by the thirteenth century. Towards the end of thirteenth century, the center of the Venetian glass factories moved to Murano. Byzantine craftsmen played an important role in the development of the Venetian glass. In 1204, some fleeing artisans came to Venice. By the sixteenth century, Venetian artisans gained control over the transparency and color of their glass products, and mastered various modern decorative techniques. Efforts were made to keep these glass making techniques within Venice, but they became known elsewhere and the Venetian style glassware was produced in other Italian cities too.

In the sixteenth century, Venetian glass makers used to make vessels using the millefiori technique. Diamond engravings were also made possible during this century by making improvements in the quality of glass. The staple products of the Venetian glass makers in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were drinking glasses. The peculiar Venetian characteristics were the elaborate workings on the stem with tools such as pincers. Symmetrical wings are drawn at each side. This type of drinking glasses and some other vessels with flared bowls are known as bouquetiers. In the eighteenth century, competition from other countries caused a decline of Venetian glass.

Look-Alike Venetian Glass

Since the tenth century, Venice has been a trading and manufacturing center for glass. By the thirteenth century, Venetian glass making was restricted to the island of Murano. As a result, both Murano and Venice used to describe the same glass. Importers and tourists bought thousands of glass pieces in Murano, thereby skyrocketing their popularity. This led to the production of a high range of counterfeits and look-alikes. Sometimes, identifying Venetian glass can be frustrating because most pieces are not permanently marked at the time of manufacture. If they are marked, it is mostly with stickers and paper labels that can easily wear off through washing over time. It’s also possible that labels can be switched or removed.

So, the best way to identify lookalikes is to study them in details, e.g.by determining their glass making technique, design and quality of glass. A useful indication of Venetian origin is the color and quality of glass. Look-alikes are made of only two to three colors. Venetian glass is made up of average 5 to 9 or more colors and they are usually thicker.

Weight is another consideration to identify fake ones. Original Venetian pieces generally weigh more than the duplicates. Venetian artisans make things differently. So,their products weigh more than a comparable volume of faux glass. Venetian glass is the result of many centuries of dedicated experiments with glass and colors. And, no look-alike can take its place.

One can shop for genuine Venice glass artworks at OriginalMuranoGlass.com – based in Murano, Italy. Having its own Murano glass factory and showroom in the Island, the e-shop offers the most loved collections of Venetian glass lamps and chandeliers, mirrors, hand blown drinking glasses, beaded jewelry, glass bowls for centerpieces, sculptures, glass photo frames, exclusive vases, and lots of other wedding and corporate gift items. You can order your bespoke artwork here as well as ask for bulk order production. OMG ensures prompt delivery of products worldwide.

Murano Glass Sculptures Are Still Sparkling After 700 Years

Today, the unique Murano glass objects are famous all over the world as collectibles and gift ideas. The centuries of traditional expertise combined with contemporary designs make Murano glass the world’s finest pieces of art.

Murano Glass Sculptures and Figurines

Murano glass artists are accomplished in making all kinds of sculptures. Their handmade sculptures and figurines bring a miniature world onto your showcases and tables. All aspects of life are demonstrated by these outstanding artisans with mind-boggling clarity of the minutest of details. Their emphasis on depicting even tiny features without compromising their grace and beauty is often incredible. Murano glass sculptures have every kind of themes inspired by real life so that you can use them on any occasion. Any kind of festivals or special occasions like weddings, anniversaries and birthdays is thoughtfully and beautifully represented through these glass sculptures. These statues can also be used as home decor items. They can add an aura of elegance to any room. You many choose from themes such as lovers and dancers, abstract arts, heads and faces, clowns and comic caricatures, Venetian Goldoni figurines, animals, birds, fishes, marine life, and many more.

How to Buy Original Murano Glass Sculptures?

Murano glass sculptures range from small pieces for homes to monumental showpieces. They are unique and can raise status and vibrancy of your room. However, buying original Murano glass is also an art. Following are some tips discussed regarding how to buy an original Murano glass sculpture or any other artwork.

•    Each original Murano glass item is unique and handmade: Every piece is different from one another, i.e. these cannot be produced industrially. There are definitely small differences found in them. If you are not able to recognize the differences, then ask the seller to explain them. There are also color deviations, e.g. some are transparent, while others are light or bright colored. Look at the natural imperfection of the glass. This is true and emotional.

•    Final selling price of the product: Original Murano glass objects come in different budgets. Prices are based on the quality of decorations. These items have a well-defined cost  since they are made using ancient Venetian techniques, which require patience and time. So if an object carries a surprisingly low price, then it is surely not an original Murano artwork, but an imitation. Murano glass is a luxury object.

•    Request a certificate of origin: Original Murano glass must come with a certificate of origin, wherein detailed information about the product is mentioned. Thus, request a certificate of origin from the seller.

•    Check if the product is signed by the artist: Look for the artist’s signature. The glass object is signed by the artist on the surface. If you don’t see any sign, then ask the seller about it. Consulting on the web is always helpful. Fake signs can also be made. They are not 100% perfect at times. Hence, consult an expert pertaining to this matter.

•    Pay attention to the techniques used: Ask the seller about the glass making method used and beware of the glass colors.

•    Check the feedback online: Look for reviews from other buyers. Compare them and then decide to buy that beautiful and precious piece of Murano glass.

 

Authentic Murano glass sculptures can now be ordered from the comfort of your home. Simply visit OriginalMuranoGlass.com to explore a wide variety of blown glass figurines,handmade by artisans in Murano. The online Venetian glass shop will also mesmerize you with its Murano glass sconces, chandeliers, mirrors, vases, drinking glassware, jewelry, centerpieces, wedding favors, and original corporate gifts. You can also book a visit to their Murano glass factory through this website and see the live demonstration of how various artworks are made by glass masters.

Wine Glass Gift Ideas: Tips for Presenting the Right Piece

Everyone loves to receive gifts, especially wine related gifts. To celebrate a special occasion or express gratitude, it is a great way to surprise the recipient with a wine basket gift. Preparing a wine basket personally is more fun than buying it from the market. For wine lovers, there are also wine glasses and for nondrinkers, these glasses become pieces of home decoration. There are several accessories you can pack with wine bottles and glasses such as electric wine openers, wine cork cages, wine bottle holders, etc.

How to Choose Wine Related Gifts?

It is hard to shop for hardcore wine lovers. So there are some guides to choose the best wine gifts. They are as follows:

Firstly, start with the person whom you are buying for. What types of wine do they enjoy the most? Do they have any wine decor at their home? Do they have much wine accessories? These questions are very important as this will help you to narrow down what type of wine gifts will fit them the best.

Some Popular Designs of Wine Glasses for Gifting

There are many unique designs of wine glasses available for purchase. However,those handmade in original Murano glass are most sought after. Below are some of the popular designs of Murano wine glasses described:

•    Classic Flute Drinking Glass Set: Your guests will be fascinated by the elegance of the flute glasses while having dinner. These artworks will not only make your supper more special but also embellish your furniture. Made by blown glass technique, select glasses come with 24kt gold decoration. The set consists of 6 pieces.

•    Still Wine Glass Set: This is a new line of chalices inspired by sixties, but revisited in a new style. These wine glasses are light in weight and classy in shape and can be a new idea to renew your table.

•    Barocco Wine Glass Set: These are engraved with cold glass cut technique and decorated in gold. The glasses are inspired by the years of baroque art.

•    Pure Gold Wine Glasses: These are handmade with Murano glass and 24kt gold leaf. Blown glass technique is used here. Especially handmade in Italy for drinking wine, the set of 6 pieces is elegant and precious artworks.

These are a few beautiful Murano wine glass designs, but there are many more you can browse through and choose from to present the perfect gift.

Tips to Make a Memorable Wine Basket for Gifting

To make this gift memorable one for lifetime, then below are some tips how to decorate the wine basket. They are:

•    Prepare a basket: Select a suitable container for your basket. After choosing your container, line the bottom of the basket with paper or cloth.

•    The wine: The next thing is to select your wine according to the taste and preference of the recipient.

•    Cheese, crackers and other foods: Wine is usually enjoyed with food. So, add foods such as hard cheese, nuts, crackers, smoked salmon, etc. You can also add chocolates.

•    Wine accessories: Finally to complete your wine basket, add some wine accessories such as bottle stopper, charms, wine glasses, or aerators; even a wine journal would work. Wine glasses made by original Murano glass masters will add a magical touch to your wine basket. Gift this basket and be a favorite of everyone.

For an array of wine glass gift ideas, it is recommended to visit OriginalMuranoGlass.com that offers unique hand blown pieces made in Murano. Order a memorable wine glass gift set here to present it to your beloved one on a special occasion. Accompany the set with a beautiful Murano glass wine stopper as well. This large online shop is also an ideal destination to buy a blown glass chandelier, gold glass mirror, sculpture, glass bead jewelry, blown glass vase, and lots of other items.