Happy Tuesday, everyone! For today's feature, I managed to corner Kendra of GreenPost and got her to share with us the sweet story behind a collection of her most favorite things...My favorite thing is my collection of Venetian-style, hand-blown glass art made by my husband, Christian Zvonik. It is extremely difficult to get more specific as I have bonded with each piece individually. I now recognize each piece as an important part of the whole body of work and love them equally. They express the many aspects of my beloved and I can't look at his glass without feeling love for him. We will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this July and toasting from his hand-blown goblets!
Each time the sun shines through the colored glass, I am reminded of how extremely fortunate I am to be surrounded by such beauty. Each time I drink, I drink from his handmade glasses. Guests remind me that not everyone enjoys this luxury. Sometimes I do forget how fortunate I am to be connected to this artist and his fine glasswork as we have suffered together to make this glass happen! I am also a glassblower which most of you may not know. I don't work on my own pieces anymore, but do assist Christian from time to time. I know what has gone into the creation of this work and have the burn scars to prove it. It was all worth it! 
This summer, Christian will begin teaching glassblowing classes at The Arts Center in St. Petersburg FL. Simultaneously, Chihuly will be opening a gallery here that will operate in conjunction with The Arts Center. We moved here from Seattle last year, in part, to be available for this opportunity. So, this is going to be a very exciting year for Christian and his glass! Come visit! Thanks for taking this moment to appreciate my favorite things!
No, Kendra, thank YOU for painting such an intimate picture of your love for your husband and his craft. I found it quite moving--and I can't even blame the pregnancy hormones for that! ;)
My wish for all of you on this fine day is that you find a moment to raise a glass with a loved one! --Katie :D
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Have a Favourite Thing you'd like to share with the team? Leave a comment and I'll get in touch or contact me via Etsy and next Tuesday's Favourite Thing could be yours. (It's either that, or I'll hunt you down and wrangle something out of you myself. Really. Just ask Kendra.)
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And you're right--I had no idea you were also a glassblower. Very cool! :D
ReplyDeleteI have found this so very touching. Your husband's work is spectacular, and I love the way you have expressed how you feel for it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us Kendra!
Thank you so much Katie! I appreciate that you took the time to add the links- really cool! My dream is for all my wonderful Etsy friends to come here and take classes from Christian! That would be so amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim! Glad you appreciate my romantic side :)
AND Believe me! Katie WILL come find you!! HAHAHA!
What a moving and oh so beautiful post! Thanks for sharing these creations, Kendra, and your love for your sweetie and his amazing talent! I wish him well with his new venture this summer... sounds fantastic!
ReplyDeleteStunning creations :O)
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful work! And a lovely post to go with it!
ReplyDeleteWoW! Your husbands talent is incredible, as is yours, my friend! What an amazing gift that you both get to share in each other's art, and your words express that. I also didn't know that you used to live in Seattle, I remember you saying that your husband worked here, but I didn't put 6 and 4 together....! May your upcoming adventures in glass be a FUNtastic and wondrous experience for you all, wish I could join in!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Kristin
I'm personally in love with hand-blown glass. If I could, I would collect it too, but I'm the one who has to settle for the glass made from coke-bottles, and pulled out of shape into new forms...it's affordable. So, I know what you mean when you say how much you love the handblown stuff--it's a highly aesthetic art form, and makes drinking anything a celebration, even water!
ReplyDeleteKendra, those are gorgeous works of art! I especially love the goblet! *cheers* to you and your husband and congrats on your upcoming anniversary!! :D
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful things to fill your home with - you are so lucky, and talk about it with such passion - thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKendra, Christian's beautiful work and the love it shows touch my heart. Thank you so very much for sharing these lovely, elegant and meaningful things with all of us. And Happy Anniversary -- #10!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo Mollie
Gosh, Christian's work is unREAL, Kendra! I just tried imagining what it might be like to use such a drinking glass as the one pictured. I can see how it would lift up one's spirits and add an elevated sense of the divine to each contact, be it the lip or the hand. I can totally see myself wanting to sweep it against my cheek too! Just amazing. And I'm impressed you're versed in the ways of glass blowing too.
ReplyDeleteI've so enjoyed this snapshot of your world Kendra. Thanks to you and Katie for this thoroughly enjoyable post.
~Jill ♥
Thanks everyone! So glad you enjoyed this post!
ReplyDeleteFYI- The first piece pictured is not a goblet or drinking glass. It is a vase that stands approx. 14" high. I should have included descriptions of his work! oops! I don't have a good pic of the drinking glasses. But, we have been thinking of creating a line of glassware based on "Blue Fizz" as we call it. This cinches it! Thanks!