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