Wine a Bit - Celebrate Washington Wines with Art

It was way back in 1825 that Washington's first grape vines were planted - in Fort Vancouver by the Hudson's Bay company.  More grape vines followed immigrant pathways across the state.

However, it wasn't until the 1960s that larger scale vineyards with commercial potential were planted by predecessors to the well-known Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia wineries.  Ever since the mid-70s, growth has been amazing leading to today's breakneck speed of a new winery opening nearly every 15 days.

Now, it is such an engrained part of Washington culture that it is difficult to recall a time when we all weren't extremely proud of our wine.

Of course, artists enjoy wine too!  And they enjoy celebrating our personal enjoyment of wine by creating things to help us enjoy and celebrate wine even more!

Original acrylic on canvas painting by Julie Terrell.  Canvas-wrapped edges need no frame.

  11" x 14"

In this acrylic painting by Julie Terrell, she celebrates the community that comes from sharing good wine with good friends, and the good conversations and sharing that typically accompany such events.  This particular one has sold, but a new one is on the way.  If you want dibs, let us know!

Celeste Stuhring has created a great method of remembering which wine glass is yours!  She makes fused glass embellishments that are siliconed onto the glass directly.  She also chooses the stemless wine glasses for a purely utilitarian reason - they don't fall over on the boat she and her husband often find themselves in on weekends!  For Manya, however, her utilitarian reason for preferring this kind of wine glass is that she is less likely to knock hers over when talking (as you well know, she can't seem to talk without using her hands for emphasis).

charm

Wine better with age Que Syrah Syrah Pour it, they'll come Call for more choices

Another of Celeste's fused glass wine celebration focus are these wine charms.  The chain is long enough to fit over the neck of a wine bottle when giving it for a gift.  However, most folks simply hang them up somewhere to enjoy it at all times!  There are many phrases to choose from.  Call to see what's currently available.

Here in the Northwest, our skies are dark more often than not.  That makes us all avid fans of candles and ambient lighting.  So, of course an artist came up with a way to combine candle light with a celebration of wine!  Celeste Stuhring is back to our rescue with this wonderful votive shield.  There's a votive cup attached to the back which gives it excellent sturdiness as well.  Look at the wonderful glow when the candle is lit!  These are one-of-a-kind, so give us a call so we can show you what's available.

Henrietta Glass out of Rhode Island makes these beautiful blown glass wine bottle stoppers, which are available in a wide variety of colors.  They have a double wall, making them very strong and durable.  Plus, the graduated rubber stopper works on a variety of bottle necks too.  Just $22 each.  Call for color choices.

These are some great ideas for gift giving to friends who enjoy wine!  And be sure to check out the great selection of wine-themed cards we just got in, too.  Whether a single item, or a collection of treasures, you can honor those who share your happiest moments with you with a gift of art.  Beautify Your Friendships!

Jeff and Manya
Your Beauty Ambassadors

MaJeGallery.com
425-776-3778