Celebrate Wine

I came across these beautiful wine stoppers recently in my Web surfing. Not only are they attractive, but they are hand-crafted by a native of Murano, Angelo Tiozzo, who has been making glass since he was 11 years old-more than 50 years. Tiozzo moved to Canada in the 1960s and Gala Glass, his family business, creates a wide range of hand-crafted glass items. Prices for the stoppers range from $21.97 to $32.97

Funky Finds

Some consumers may be skeptical about buying glass products online because they want to see the craftsmanship in person before making a purchase. I can tell you first-hand that Angelo Tiozzo & his associates at Gala Glass create superb items that are beautiful, elegant and timeless. I was thrilled to receive one of the unique spiral glass rings that are surprisingly affordable. Also available are complimentary pendants and earrings. The glass figurines are fabulous & will make wonderful gifts for a wide variety of people. Of course I am very partial to the glass dogs that are absolutely adorable! The glass wine bottle stoppers are also terrific gift items. Check out all the great pieces Gala Glass has to offer.

Boutique Flair

A Sparkling Piece of Italy

Italy is known for many things, including romance and beautiful artwork in its many forms. I was fortunate enough to travel with my high school Latin club to Italy in the early 1990's, so I've seen with my own eyes the beauty that country has to offer. I'm sure you can imagine my excitement when I had the opportunity to review handmade crystal glass creations from an amazing glass master who first learned his craft from the great glass masters of his native Murano, Italy! Angelo Tiozzo was born in Murano, the premiere center for glass artisty. Like so many before him, he fell in love with the craft. After visiting Canada in the 1960's, he also fell in love with and moved to that country. Today Angelo and his associates are inspired by the Italian glass making tradition as well as bits of modern Canadian flair. And, lucky for us, we can purchase these sparkling creations at the Tiozzo family's online boutique, Gala Glass.

I adore my gorgeous things from Gala Glass. The Glass Striped Frog ($18.97) is fit for a princess who loves to glimpse at a bit of magic every day. My little frog prince sits near one of my favorite potted plants in my kitchen. His detail is amazing, and I find him quite charming! My Black & Gold Dust Notched Aurora Glass Ring is stunning. The shimmer, comfort and price just can't be beat. I've only had it a week, and it's already a conversation piece. I also have the Black & Gold Dust Teardrop Aurora Glass Pendant which compliments the ring beautifully. The pair offers a beautiful elegance with a modern edge. Fantastic! When I look at my beautiful things from Gala Glass, I think of a gondola ride in Venice, dropping a coin in the Trevi Fountain, walking amongst the ruins of the Roman Forum, and the warm people that make Italy so inviting...(sigh). But, it is definitely not a requirement to have set foot on Italian soil to appreciate the exquisite creations Gala Glass has to offer!

Visit Gala Glass to pick up your own sparkling piece of Italy. From glass ornaments and jewelry to glass lamps and figurines, this beautiful boutique offers it all with great style.

Qeeper

Awhile ago Mario contacted me about his father’s unique glass store called Gala Glass. They sell all different types of handmade glass creations. He also shared with me the story behind his father who has been a glass artist for more than 50 years! Here are some of my favorite items from the store ... all under $30!

- Beautiful earrings and pendants

- This would make SUCH a great and unique gift for wine lovers, beautiful wine stoppers!

And lastly, I had to feature some of my favorite animals [glass elephant family]. I actually have some similar to these that my cousin got for me when she went to Italy! They are so cute on my dresser.

Buy all of these and more at Gala Glass

Sí, lo sé

El arte del vidrio no es cosa sencilla, eso ya lo sabemos. El arte de soplar botellas, como dice el dicho, es algo dificultoso y 100 % artesanal. Todo lo que es hecho con las manos tiene un gran trabajo detrás, que si bien es reconocido a la hora de pagar se nos frunce la billetera con el fin de pedir rebajas… la vida del artesano es muy ingrata (como diría mi amiga artesana Lucía).

Las personas que buscamos algo diferente, fuera de lo convencional (es decir que no se pueda encontrar en una tienda de chinos o en Ikea) caemos en estos diseños extravagantes que si bien nos quitan el aliento y nos tientan con tenerlos en casa… a la hora de mostrar el parné, lo pensamos muchas veces. Pero no todo está perdido, porque existen cosillas asequibles y originales como es el caso de Glass Wine Bottle Stoppers.

La familia de Glass Wine Bottle Stoppers esta formada por Spade, Star, Diamond, Dichroic y Spiral. Nombres que definen el diseño de estos tapones para tapar botellas. Estos accesorios para bebidas están fabricados en cristal y poseen un diseño increíble. Sus colores llamativos y sus figuras anacrónicas hacen de Glass Wine Bottle Stoppers un accesorio que querrás tener en tu mesa, no sólo por su utilidad sino por su belleza artística.

Estos tapones para botellas tienen formas amorfas a la vez que definidas como estrellas, rombos, espirales y muchos más. Su arte está en la complementariedad entre los colores y su forma. Cada uno mide aproximadamente 5" de alto x 1.5" de ancho, y podrás encontrar precios desde 21,97$ hasta 32,97$. Enamórate de Glass Wine Bottle Stoppers.

Cool Mom Picks

...But She's Got the Biggest Rings of Them All.

I have been standing by observing the current "big ring" craze and wishing to be someone I'm not. The fact of the matter is that I'm a dreadful klutz, and I have long eschewed wearing even a normal-sized ring with a raised stone because I will invariably either get it tangled in my hair (don't ask) or end up scratching one of my kids with it.

Imagine my delight to slide a bold, beautiful glass ring from Gala Glass onto my finger. And decide to keep it.

Although their online presence is new, glassmaker Angelo Tiozzo has been running Gala Glass as a family business for over four decades so yeah, I'd say they know what they're doing. The ring not only hip and eye-catching, it's also smooth and 100% klutz-proof.

I'm finally in on the trend, and without bodily harm either. At these prices--think the $10-15 range--I can afford to get one for every outfit too. I think I'm in love.

Shop now mamas- prices are going up in October

Weezies

We received three pieces from the Gala Glass Collection – the Dichroic Glass Pendant in Gold which retails for $60 (on sale for $21.97), the Rectangular Aurora Glass Earring in Black/Silver/Gold which retails for $45 (on sale for $19.97), and the Spiral Glass Ring in Red/Black/Gold which retails for $30 (on sale for $14.97).

Just like we did, you’re probably asking yourselves how these breathtaking glass jewelries can be sold at such prices! Well, after receiving the pieces they sent us, I can assure you that these are high quality pieces that happen to be offered at the fairest of prices. In fact, if you’re looking for holiday gifts, now would be a good time to stock up on these babies. The sale prices mentioned above are only good until the end of this month. With the 90-day guarantee they offer with every piece they sell, you just can’t go wrong.

Now back to the review – starting with the pendant – a crystal glass that is fused with precious metal oxides in golds, reds, and blues. Hanging from a black cord, this piece is simply gorgeous. It’s a versatile necklace that goes glam with a skinny pair of jeans and this lime and slate blouse for a night out. Two other shapes and colors are available in this Dichroic Collection.

Onto the glass earrings which by the way is available in three shapes – rectangular, teardrop, and infinity. The combination of black, silver, and gold in this piece is very elegant and will totally dress up any outfit. It’s effortlessly chic and very light on the ears. I paired it up with a red dress like this one from Diane von Furstenberg and the coupling is absolute fabulousity.

Now the ring – in spiraling colors of red, black, and gold – trendy to the nth degree and oh so funky! It’s available in five other colors but this particular combination of red, black, and gold is chic-defined. It’s to-die-for with a sophisticated little black dress.

If you’re not chomping at the bit yet, let me tell you that Gala Glass is having a contest wherein the prize is $250 worth of free handmade creations. If I were you, I’d sign up for it and while you’re there, stock up on holiday gifts – prices go up October 1st!

RATING: 5 out of 5

Mom Finds

Glass Jewelry That Won't Break Your Budget

What: Glass Rings, Pendants & Earrings at Gala Glass

Why: I’m a big fan of glass jewelry because it feels great on, is very reasonable and always gets attention. Whenever I’m looking for an affordable, unusual piece to perk up an outfit, I almost always go glass.

Gala Glass offers a very cool collection of Glass Pendants in several designs and shapes and six color combinations, Earrings in three designs and Italian Murano Rings. Every piece is handmade and you can see all the different color and style combinations online, which is pretty fun and a bit addictive.

The Fashionable Housewife

I’m Loving Gala Glass Jewelry!

So unique and sophisticated, Gala Glass Artistic Crystal Creations will captivate you. It’s exactly what you need to add artsy style to your Fall/Winter collection. They have beautiful pendants, earrings, and even rings! Each creation is one of a kind and totally unique. Their handcrafted glass jewelry is so versatile that it can complement both formal and casual wear, so it’s the perfect addition to your jewelry collection.

I have a few of their pieces that I love. They go with just about anything, so it’s the first thing I grab when I’m on my way out the door and want to accessorize my outfit with something. Super easy, and best of all, their actually affordable. Now where else can you find affordable jewelry like that?

While you are there, you can enter for a chance to win $250 worth of their gorgeous, one-of-a-kind jewelry. Just sign up for their newsletter to enter the contest. Sweeeeet!

We Covet

We Covet Rings Of Glass

I wanted to find a way to incorporate Blondie's Heart of Glass into this post, but just haven't been able to sort that out. Because these rings don't really look like hearts and they have nothing to do with being love and it being a gas, etc, etc, unless you consider that rings are something that are often given out of love, but that's a stretch. They are, however, made of glass!

All of which is incidental to the fact that they're gorgeous: big, chunky bits of of gorgeous semi-translucent glass blown into a curved ring that sits on your finger like a massive, glowing jewel. Except that it's not a jewel, it's glass, and it's all the prettier (and lighter) for it.

Gala Glass Rings, from $10.97 (I KNOW. BUY TWO)

The Fashionable Gal

Gala Glass: My Newest Obsession

Alright ladies, I’m ‘fessing up ... I have more jewelry than most department stores! From glass flamingo earrings to 80’s style bangles, I’ve got it all. So, it takes something really special to catch my attention these days. And, as soon as I saw all the gorgeous merch over at Gala Glass, I knew I’d found it!

First up was a Notched piece from the Aurora Collection. At $12.97 apiece, there’s no reason you can’t have one in every color! The lovely folks at Gala Glass sent me an Aurora ring in the Gold/Wine/White combination, and I am madly in love! In fact, the only time I’ve taken it off my finger is to wear the other piece they sent me ... but more on that in a bit!

Honestly, I cannot believe how attention this ring has garnered! I knew it would be an awesome, eye-catching conversation piece-but EVERYONE has commented on it! And everybody wants one! In fact, even several of my male friends wanted to try it on! The compliments have been just rolling in.

Now, if you’re worried the ring is going to be bulky and uncomfortable-don’t be! I am not in the habit of frequently wearing rings, and yet I barely noticed this one was on! Well, that’s not entirely true; I did spend a lot of time playing with it. However, the comfort factor is high.

The second piece I got to try was a Spiral ring, also from the Aurora Collection. This style is a (still very affordable) $16.97, and I’ll admit it-this one is my favorite!!! In fact, it was the first piece I fell in love with one the site.

I’m currently wearing the color combination Red/Black/Gold. However, if for some crazy reason the colors aren’t doing it for you, you once again have the five other color choice options. The Blue/Pink combination looks like a sparkling cloud!

Once again, the compliment and comfort factors are high! Both styles are unique, but I think this one has just a little bit originality. In fact, I keep finding myself twisting and staring when bored in class. Bad me!

The one thing I was worried about when I first received the rings was whether or not they were going to break easily. I tend to be on the clumsy side, and the last thing I want is a chunk of glass jabbed into my hand! However, you can rest assured-these babies are strong. During a heated debate I slammed my hand down on the (wooden) table several times without realizing, and not a crack or chip could be found!

Now for some crazy reason, if rings aren’t your thing, there’s more! If you want to score a great gift for yourself or a loved one, check out the pendants, ornaments, figurines (I now have an adorable butterfly!), and so much more! Gala Glass definitely has one-stop Christmas shopping potential!

Gala Glass is where it’s at!