Last week while the HH and I were on our way to Woodstock, Vermont, he spotted a sign for the town of Quechee, Vermont and couldn’t figure why the name of the town rang a bell. And then, all the sudden we spotted the sign for the Simon Pearce Flagship Store, Restaurant + Glassblowing Workshop and did a quick u-turn {something we’re doing a lot of these days!}.
Someone had left a comment a few months back on the blog telling us about the glassblowing studio and restaurant {I think I was asking for anniversary dinner suggestions?} and while we had planned to go to Simon Pearce for lunch while my parents were here, we didn’t make it out there.
And what a total bummer we didn’t make the trip because my parents would have loved the place.
The old mill building, the brick walls, the wood floors, the beautiful scenery of the falls below, and of course the glass showroom and studio as well. Talk about romantic.
It kind if reminded me of the movie Sweet Home Alabama.
But sadly, Josh Lucas {who coincidentally lived in Gig Harbor during part of his childhood} and his handsome self was no where to be found.
I loved this lamp. But you know, $350. Maybe I should take up glass blowing next.
The real action though, wasn’t in the fancy showroom…..
It was down in the basement in the glass blowing studio.
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE watching people with a trade, doing their thing, at their own pace and in their own little bubble. If gives me hope for humanity that even in this fast paced world where people are paying good money to put listening devices in their homes and teaching their kids to talk to machines {in a effort of simplify their life!?} that something made by hand, still counts.
I makes me happy knowing you can’t become proficient in everything from watching a 10 minute youtube video, or finding the answer on the internet.
I love that there are still things out there that cannot be rushed.
I think if we’d all just slow down a little bit, our lives would be so much happier.
Our visit to the Simon Pearce glassblowing studio was an unexpected surprise last week and I’m looking forward to going back this winter. I think it would be the perfect spot to enjoy a special lunch and look out over the falls with snowflakes fluttering all around.
Life…. It’s meant to be LIVED. Get out there and enjoy it while you can.
Have a great weekend everyone,
XOXOXO
Mavis
Simon Pearce
1760 Quechee Main Street,
Quechee, Vermont
05059
Mim says
So glad you made it there. The food is fabulous and the mill itself quite wonderful. If you go, try to get a table overlooking the falls.
Yes, items are pricey, but did you notice there is a seconds room at the back? I can never tell the difference between the perfect and slightly imperfect. Their standards for perfection, as you witnessed, are quite high.
There is also a factory store in Windsor VT, very close to the interstate exit. You might check that out on a future visit.
Laurel says
I have family in the area and fond memories of watching the glass blowing! I have loved it ever since then. There is a place in Staunton, VA if you get down here that has a studio. I want to bring my kids to Vermont this winter so we will definitely take this in. My cousins own an organic dairy in that area. I will look up the name and send it to you.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks!!
Sue Everhart says
My husband and I did this while visiting Millville, NJ. They also offered lessons. It was quite the experience!
Joanna says
For your secret project, my vote was glassblowing. 🙂
Richelle says
Since you already have a kiln, you may want to give fusing glass a try. You end up with beautiful things (after much practice) but don’t need to work in front of a hot, open oven.
Mary2M says
Mavis – While you may ‘choke’ at the price, please remember that they are artisans and they to have to make a living too. As a person who ‘creates’ (and I have purchased some of your creations), you of all people should know what goes into hand crafted things, especially hand crafted things of quality. I needlepoint and could never make a living at it. When someone once asked me to do a piece for them, I quoted only the cost of the piece, threads and finishing (another craftsman) and charged 1.00 per hour for my time. (They balked at the 300 hours of time – it was a Christmas stocking). The person went running into the night!! Glass blowing is quite the art and can be quite dangerous. So glad of your adventures and giving us ideas about what to do. Think of how long it took you to do your chicken rug. So glad you are enjoying NE. Can’t wait to see what you say when it is the end of January with 3 feet of snow on the ground. What happened to the bios on the rest of your ‘girls’?
Marybeth says
Next time I’m in Vermont I’m going there. The picture of the falls is beautiful.
Kathleen says
What a cool place to visit ! My son and I got to try glass blowing at our local Renaissance Festival last year and it was fascinating. We each made an ornament , it was a fun experience ! If you ever get the chance to try it you should 🙂
Laura says
Had a most romantic dinner there with my would-be husband maybe 28 years ago. Stayed at a B&B within walking distance. Still have one of there BIG pottery vases in my hallway and a kick-ass wood cutting board on my kitchen island. They’ve gone the distance – both in years and miles, from Mass. to New Mexico.
Heather says
Glassblowing looks so cool, but I don’t think I have the patience and I have 100s of other projects / hobbies.
As you know it is not cheap or easy to make items. I got asked to make some bags for a group and between me thinking that they wanted it done as a ‘volunteer project’ and just not putting a very high value on my time I majorly low balled the price. He came back and said that he expected the price to be a lot higher than 2x what I quoted so it sounds like I will be paid the 2x price which still works out to about $2 per bag (made of flannel and nothing special about them).
Holley says
That HAS got to be the store that was in Sweet Home Alabama!!!! I was scrolling down reading this post and that popped into my head as soon as I saw that first picture and then I scrolled down a little further and you said the same thing!!!! I love that movie and that scene blew me away when I saw all that beautiful glass! I LOVE glass and glass blowing has always fascinated me! I got to see a Chihuly exhibition at The Biltmore Estate this summer! I hope one day to be able to go see this for myself! Thanks for sharing!
Kara says
My husband and I went to the Chihuly night exhibit at the Biltmore. Incredible!
Mavis- you should take a trip to the Finger Lakes region in NY next summer, visit the Corning Museum of Glass and hike at Watkins Glen State Park. It’ll blow your mind (no pun intended!)
Crystal says
If you come back out to the PNW for a visit, you should try to stop by the Softstar Shoes workshop in Philomath, OR. Handmade leather shoes made right in front of you. Plus, a slide.
Mavis Butterfield says
Plus a slide. I love it.
Gee says
Glassblowing is fascinating. Glad you got to see it. The last time I saw it was at a university someplace near Salem, Mass, when we took our granddaughter on a tour. Maybe you could find it.
And the same thing that struck me then got me again looking at our pix. I know it’s incredibly hot near the furnace, but I still think I would have to wear long sleeves. I can’t imagine what a drop of that stuff would do to a bare arm. ‘Course, a piece of cotton probably wouldn’t stop it, but I’d still feel a lot safer. Kinda like pulling the blanket over your head to protect you from the boogyman. 🙂
Susan says
Yes, Salem State has a glassblowing space. 🙂
Gee says
That should be “your” pix not “our.”
Susan says
Quechee is so pretty! My parents and sister are not too far from there in Windsor, VT. There’s a Simon Pearce “outlet” store in Windsor along with a factory with a cat walk where you can see glass blowing as well as packaging (and a great cheese shop and restaurants right next store). The outlet store has seconds and a big sale Memorial Day. Windsor is less quaint than Woodstock, but has some wonderful sites — a Precision Museum, the longest 2-span covered bridge across the CT River and St. Gaudens National Park just across the bridge in NH. I LOVE St. Gaudens. It’s the least-visited national park, but is gorgeous with stunning views of Mt. Ascutney, lovely grounds and beautiful exhibits of art and sculpture. St. Gaudens was a well-known scultptor, and Cornish was a popular summer gathering spot for artists and musicians. The park has outdoor concerts in the summer where you can pack a picnic and enjoy the scenery and great music.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thank you Susan!!