Day 3 and 4 - the weekend.

Saturday started off early with a beautiful drive into Poland through Sklarska Porebo and the town of Piechovice where the Julia Glassworks is located. Crystal glassware of all kinds is handmade here, including colored glass which is their specialty. They are known for special etching and polishing for crystal glassware.

Then back to Mala Skala and a visit to the small castle at the top overlooking the area. Lunch at the pub at the bottom at the trail head.

We then drove to Semily to see a small cottage industry lampwork bead maker who makes beautiful beads, of which we all bought quantities of stock and Jme placed an order. A huge thunderstorm exploded above us and treated us to a spectacular weather event. After it passed we drove back to Jablonec.

We drove back to Jablonec and decided to make a stop at the top the hill to see the view of all of Jablonec. It is always a lovely site to see.

The day was done and everyone was on their own to either relax in their room, take a nap, explore the town before going to go have dinner. Guy took a nap.

Dinner was fantastic at Nabaste restaurant.

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Sunday we got up early, had breakfast and drove to a button factory to buy stock and for Jme to place orders.

Adolf, the owner of the factory told us about an Antik faire happening just down the road which we proceeded to go see. It was large and lots of fun. We all bought some treasures to bring back home.

Next stop the Glass museum, which was as spectacular as always, with a special presentation on when glass beads and bangles were made in Czechoslovakia for Trade in India.

All the women our group having some fun near the bead curtains.

             This is a version of a map of all the cottage industry factories which were in this area.

                                    Various colors of glass rods used to make the glass beads.

Lampwork equipment to make lampworker beads. 

                                                  Tools to press buttons and cabochons.

                                           Tools to line up and facet fire polish beadss.

These are some vintage glass cabochons.

Lampwork Peacock eye cabochons. (oh how I wish I could find a bunch of these)

                              Glass buttons with bugs. These are highly collectible all over the world.

                                                Equipment to make hollow blown beads.

Vintage Sample chart of some hollow blown beads. 

                   Sample card of lampwork beads, which have been hard faceted. Very gorgeous beads!

                                                              Vintage Forest glassware.

This is a huge 3&1/2 feet tall glass vase. 

People who are stringing seed beads in their homes. They would get them string into hanks, and 1/2 kilos or however the importer would want them strung and bring them back to the factory. 

Seed bead size comparison chart.

This is a old very large wall hanging weaved with tile beads. 

                                                 

                                                        Glass bulb ornament covers.

This is a hand crank filigree stamping machine.

Vintage sample charts of brass filigree stampings. 

A vintage fashion poster.

 These are Vintage black victorian items used in the hair. The hat pin would have run the the hat and the hair.
                This hat pin is called a Wiggler, as it wiggles when the woman moves her head.

                                                         Glass bangles made for India.

                              Oh look! We found some sailors who were working on the ships who are bringing India the glass beads and bagless.

and J-Me wants to thank you for walking thru the Glass museum with us. We hope you enjoyed it as much a see did. 

Lunch at a Turkish restaurant and back to the hotel where we all agreed the day was over. It was 3pm.
                                          Several of us had very yummy Donner Kebabs.

Time to rest. Jme worked on e-mails and photos, Guy took a nap then worked on the blog.

We were all exhausted, and still excited about tomorrows day.