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JK DESIGNS GLASS ORNAMENTS
Joe Kohlbeck, Artist

Joe is an interior designer. He was recovering from back surgery and realized he could no longer be on his feet all day. He needed to find a way to supplement his design work - something that would be done sitting down and utilize his sense of color and texture. Although it was not immediately apparent, the ornaments and the process were sent to him as a response to his prayers for a career alternative.

The ornaments came about because he wanted Christmas ornaments for himself that were classic orb shapes with lots of color, texture and energy. None to be found, he decided to apply his sense of color and texture to the outside of glass balls and eventually, with prayers for inspiration, figured out how to paint the balls from the INSIDE where the color would never wear off. Painting glass balls from the inside is definitely hard. Thin layers of pigments and chemicals are applied inside the clear glass ornament through the neck with specially adapted brushes. Multiple firings stabilize them or else they take weeks to dry. Further details are a production secret. He paints each ornament himself. Production time is 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours each. There are no two exactly alike. No clones possible or desirable. In a simple clear glass bowl or basket they can be enjoyed all year long.

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EG101  Monet Egg - Eight colors are mulled and timed perfectly to create an impressionistic egg ornament that shades from periwinkle blue at the bottom to electric blue at top. The colors are on the inside. Who wouldn't enjoy a little bit of Monet's gentle, dreamy palette? Size: 3 1/4" x 2 3/4"

$25.50

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M100  The Monet ornament was inspired by, guess who? Eight colors are mulled and timed perfectly to create an impressionistic ornament that shades from periwinkle blue at the bottom to electric blue at the top. The colors are on the inside and it is 3" in diameter. Everyone loves Monet!

$25.50

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B103S  From the Baroque series, this design was inspired by a wonderful old tapestry. Rich colors of red, metallic green, purple, copper and teal on a rich gold background. Very regal. Painted from the inside with a satin finish on the exterior of  the 3" diameter glass ball.

$25.50

T106S  The Tiffany series was inspired by the art glass of Louis Comfort Tiffany from the turn of the century. Electric blue and pearlescent green inside it is decorated on the satin finish outside with gold stylized leaves and vines on this 3" diameter glass ball.

$30.00

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HQ100  From the Harlequin series this design was originally designed to complement a design client's art deco fabric. It is characterized by high energy slashes of black and soft gold with a pearl background. Spontaneous! Painted on the inside of a clear glass ball that is 3" in diameter.

$20.50

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HQ104C  From the Harlequin series this design is inspired by an art deco fabric with very angular patterning. Very high energy and spontaneous. Copper slashed on dioxazinine purple (nearly black/purple) background. Painted from the inside the clear glass ball is 3" in diameter.

$20.50

OTHER HANGING ORNAMENTS:

Atlantis Design
Blue Sky Porcelain
Brian Gringus Glass