| Germany's Black Forest hides many delightful | | | | vase must cool longer before being handled. The |
| secrets amid its thick foliage. In this land of | | | | glass blowing workshop is absolutely free - only |
| fairytales and half-timbered houses lies a little glass | | | | pay a nominal fee if you want to take your work |
| factory, practicing the methods of a time long | | | | of art home with you (since the vase must cool |
| past. Located in the town of Wolfach, the | | | | first, this give you plenty of time to peruse the |
| Dorotheenhütte Glass Museum brings the | | | | rest of the complex). |
| traditions of yesterday alive for today's visitors. | | | | Dorotheenhütte's 'Glass Paradise' is |
| Proudly known as the 'Black Forest's only | | | | appropriately named as it is truly a heaven for |
| hand-blown glass factory', Dorotheenhütte | | | | shoppers. The room brilliantly sparkles as each |
| walks its guests through 2,000 years of glass | | | | overhead light, perfectly positioned, splashes bright |
| history. The museum section of the complex | | | | reflections and color over everything. Shelves and |
| shows how the art of glass-making has evolved | | | | display tables are stocked full of finished vases, |
| over the years as well as displays tool and mold | | | | such as those blown in the free workshop, sets |
| artifacts from long ago. Masters can be observed | | | | of stemware of all shapes and shades, figurines, |
| creating and grinding delicate crystal stemware by | | | | candleholders, hanging balls that shine like stained |
| hand - each cut a carefully calculated combination | | | | glass, and anything else imaginable for home |
| of angle and pressure. | | | | décor. Glass Paradise' leads into 'Christmas |
| Dorotheenhütte also gives their visitors the | | | | Village', full of enchanting seasonal ornaments and |
| opportunity to try their hand at glass blowing - | | | | decorations throughout the entire year. Twinkling |
| fascinating and fun when considering one rarely | | | | lights border the aisles of fluffy snow and delicate |
| gets the invitation to 'touch' and 'try it out' when | | | | items that are practically bursting with holiday |
| fragile objects are concerned. Standing near the | | | | spirit. Whether spending a lot or a little, |
| 2,642 degree inferno of fire and molten glass | | | | Dorotheenhütte's experienced staff gently |
| leaves one uncomfortably warm, yet it develops | | | | packs each find in protective paper to cushion its |
| a sense of awe for the master who endures this | | | | journey from Wolfach. |
| heat for his love of the art. Take a deep breath | | | | They also offer international shipping options for |
| and blow with all your might as a tiny bubble | | | | those who would rather have their purchases |
| forms in the glowing shapeless mass at the other | | | | meet them at home. Finally, after a day of |
| end of a long metal tube. The master coaxes for | | | | blowing glass and shopping, visitors can relax in |
| more air, more pressure, more strength as your | | | | Dorotheenhütte's charming restaurant. Have |
| cheeks start to tingle and your face turns bright | | | | a full meal of delicious German cuisine or simply a |
| red. You get a very short break as you pick out | | | | warm drink and a pastry to reenergize as you |
| different color chips for the blob that will | | | | admire the traditional wood décor. |
| eventually become a shapely vase. | | | | Dorotheenhütte is a one-of-a-kind |
| The master has you blow into the tube again as | | | | experience in the Black Forest region of Germany. |
| he twists and shapes the vase then flings it | | | | Although it seems to be hiding among the dark |
| almost madly through the air as you wonder how | | | | trees, it welcomes each person with its |
| close he's getting to the floor and the crowd. The | | | | enthusiasm and talent for the beautiful art of |
| glass cools enough to cut it off the tube and the | | | | glassmaking. |