Wally Birds

Just in time for the Holiday Season, a new flock of Wally Birds has come to roost at Century Studios. These wonderful creatures are hand made, salt glazed stoneware jars which have been fired in a wood-fueled kiln. Our limited selection reflects the time and effort put into each piece, and every bird is a one of a kind creation with a distinct personality!

Our newest birds include:

The Dodo - This rare specimen of a long extinct, flightless breed of birds had to waddle into the studio on his two study legs. He hopped up onto the counter and demanded to be the center of attention!






Merry Bird -  A happy go lucky gent with a buoyant charm, this bird exhibits a joie de vivre that is infectious!









Cunning Crow - Black as night and twice as mischievous, this is the first pitch black feathered bird to arrive at the studio. Is he really a Raven waiting to utter, Nevermore"? You will have to judge for yourself...






Frog Jar - Not a bird, but still a jar, this friendly frog hopped along for the ride. The shiny glaze on this jolly fellow gives him the look of just climbing out of a pond and sunning himself on a nearby lily pad.





The following birds are also available in our showroom:

Quincy - Named Quincy for his strong resemblance to the 4th President of the United States, this is the original Early Bird who caught the worm - which is why he has a grin on his face.






Wiley Bird - An evil grin, a sharp beak and a crafty look says this bird has more than birdseed on his mind.








Worried Bird - Unsure where his next worm or crust of bread is coming from, this dyspeptic fellow has an intense expression with dark rimmed pop eyes.








Shy Bird - This little fellow has reluctantly left the nest and is looking for a quiet, retiring perch to call his own.

Century Studios

Holiday Hours

November 23

through

December 23

Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00

Saturday 10:00 - 4:00

Sunday 12 noon - 4:00

Closed Monday

Ornament Sale

All Christmas Ornaments ON SALE 50% OFF

Stop in to Century Studios to see our large selection of traditional Christmas Ornaments, all on sale now!

Century Studios

Holiday Hours

Now Through

December 23

Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00

Saturday 10:00 - 4:00

Sunday 12 noon - 4:00

Closed Monday

Magnolia Window

Completed and delivered in time for the start of the Holiday Season is this Magnolia Window. Commissioned by a Southern client, this 66" long transom window is situated over the front doors of their home. The window features Magnolia trees in full bloom against a colorful sky. The flowers for this piece were rendered in Drapery Glass, a thick hand-folded glass that perfectly mimics the large fleshy petals of a Magnolia flower.

Century Studios recently had its youngest client make a purchase. This past summer, a seven year old boy came to the studio with his mother and fell in love with a piece of Lundberg blown glass. Doing extra chores to raise the money, the young gentleman returned to purchase a stunning blue lustre vase.

Century Studios

Holiday Hours

Now Through

December 23

Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00

Saturday 10:00 - 4:00

Sunday 12 noon - 4:00

Closed Monday

Century Studios will be closed

Thanksgiving Day

December 24 - Jan 1

Holiday Hours

Century Studios

Holiday Hours

November 23

through

December 23

Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00

Saturday 10:00 - 4:00

Sunday 12 noon - 4:00

Closed Monday

Century Studios will be closed

Thanksgiving Day

December 24 - Jan 1

Lamps in Pairs

Over the years we have been commissioned to create matching pairs of lamps for clients. Most of our clients use matching pairs of table lamps on either side of a bed. Generally, clients tend to prefer geometric shades instead of florals for matching pairs, but we have created a pair of 16" Poppy shades to hang over an in-home bar. The largest matching pair of lamps we have been commissioned to create were two 26" Turtleback chandeliers which were hung over a pool table by a local client.

Our most recent pair of shades has been a set of 14" Acorn shades (See photo at top of post). Created for a client in Washington state, these shades have golden geometric backgrounds and bands with hints of green, amber and deep amber.

Another recent pair of geometric 16" Pomegranate shades was commissioned by a couple in North Carolina. Shown on matching Small Stick bases, these lamps will be used as mood/reading lamps on either side of their bed. The deep amber background sets off the red pomegranates in the borders of the shades.

We have probably created more pairs of 10" Acorn shades than any other design. One of the more dramatic pairings was a set of red Acorn shades created for a local client in 2008. The shades were used on matching Queen Anne's Lace bases, which were also made at our studio.


Not all pairs of lamps go on two bases. These 10" Acorn shades were made for an original Tiffany Studios Double Student Lamp Base.

We currently have a matching pair of 10" Acorn shades on display in our showroom. This pair is displayed on matching Doric Column Torchiere bases. Created in our studio, these reproduction Tiffany Studios bronze bases would work well on a mantle or sideboard. This pair of lamps is currently available for purchase in our showroom individually or as a set.

22" Maple Leaf

This week, we are pleased to introduce a new shade pattern to our offerings, the 22" Maple Leaf. This is a Century Studios' original lamp design. Inspired by the colors of the season, the 22" Maple Leaf is a shade that captures the glory of Autumn.

Bill had been thinking of creating a lamp incorporating Maple leaves for quite a while and we were discussing which shape would work best for the design. Using the Tiffany Studios' rule that floral shades should render the subject life size, the subject required one of our larger shade forms. When we received a request from a client for a 22" Fall-colored shade which they could use as a large table lamp, Bill decided that the 22" turban shape would be perfect.

Designing a new lamp design can be tricky because the design needs to look natural from many angles. We studied the leaves from a Maple tree in our yard for inspiration and Bill spent a lot of time working out the number and size of leaves to be included, along with the angle of the branches. He wanted the design to have movement, but not look like the tree was caught in a tornado! Once the design was finalized and Bill completed the patterns, Irwin took over the layout of this shade.

Our tree produces leaves of all sizes in brilliant hues of yellows, reds and oranges, and Irwin wanted to celebrate the vibrant colors while still creating subtle color variations. The goal was to create a blended color scheme but to still have the leaves individually discernible on the completed shade.

Once the glass selection was complete and all the pieces were cut and fit to the pattern, each piece of glass was wrapped in copper foil, transferred onto the form, and the shade was soldered together. In the photo to the right, Irwin is just completing soldering the inside of the shade and will be attaching the bottom rim as the final step before the cleaning and patina work can be done.

The finished shade, shown at the top of the posting on the Twisted Vine base, has been shipped to its new home in the Midwest.