Pumpkin Season, Part II: Glass pumpkins

Our glass pumpkin patch, with two new additions this year

Fall is the time for colorful leaves, cooler temps and pumpkins. But, while some of the season's best features don't last long, pumpkins - the glass variety, that is - keep their festive appearance all year long.

I've been a fan of glass-blown pumpkins for years, starting over a decade ago when I first saw a display at a local art fair.  I didn't purchase any that first year, but, when the same art fair came back the following summer, I had to indulge. My first pumpkin was of the traditional sort, generously sized and a dark orange hue. It looked amazing on my Thanksgiving holiday tablescape.

My second and fifth pumpkin purchase came from Boyer Glassworks in Harbor Springs

But, my glass pumpkin collection was destined to grow. I found a fellow glass gourd enthusiast with good friend, Carol.  On one of our early, annual northern Michigan vacations we take together with our spouses, Carol asked me if I liked glass pumpkins. This was not long after my first purchase and I was delighted to share my new passion. Turns out, Carol was a big fan, too. She also just happened to know a great place to shop for glass pumpkins in Harbor Springs. Next day, we were off and running to Boyer Glassworks.  Appreciating that glass pumpkins need not be limited to orange, we were both drawn to the Monet series and each purchased one to bring home.

Great fun and finds at the Funky Ferndale Art Fair, including a gold pumpkin

A few years later, when my husband and I were in Newport, Rhode Island, we came across a glass gallery and took a tour. While Chris was drawn to spindly, blue octopus (which he bought), we also perused the "pumpkin patch".  We found another multi-colored pumpkin to gift to Carol and I selected a dazzling, translucent green one for myself (thinking this could cover at least two holidays: Thanksgiving and St. Patrick's Day).

Glass pumpkin with artist Mary Cash, made within a week of purchase

Then, my collection remained static until this year when a new crop and an old "haunt" offered up some fine additions. At the Funky Ferndale Art Fair last month, I found a beautiful gold and white pumpkin from RNG Originals. It brings to mind a miniature version of that "plain yellow pumpkin" that became Cinderella's "golden carriage".

Carol with artist Mary, with a smaller version of her purchase

And, just one month later, Harbor Springs was back in rotation for our fall vacation with our bonne amies, Carol and Rik. Was glass pumpkin shopping on the agenda? The answer is sitting comfortably with its diverse pumpkin family on my fireplace mantle. This one was made within the week of our visit by artist Mary Cash. It's bright orange with a dark green stem, no curls. It's adorable.

Colorful leaves and crisp temps may not last, but glass pumpkins do

We at BTS love Pumpkin Season. And, with glass pumpkins, we can enjoy the festive fall fruit all year long.