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