Notes From The City: An Abundant Life

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a passion for glass. Vintage pieces are some of my favorites, but there are artists working today who have taken the history to heart and are mastering the combination of science and art to create newly inspirational works. When I see a shelf of glass work or even one piece, I am mesmerized - the different styles and colors and techniques are always fascinating and beautiful. I learned about glass blowing in chemistry class in high school, when my teacher had us make our own beakers and pipettes and test tubes, and though I have seen glass blowers at art festivals over the years, I never followed up that initial experience with more in depth discovery about the process until one recent evening when Sean Baumbach, the owner of SRBArtGlass, invited me to his studio and offered to show me how he makes the gorgeous pieces he designs. He's an excellent teacher, but I was so enthralled with watching him work that I don't remember the technical terms and techniques he described, so I'll leave you to see the story yourself in the photos I took as they really do speak a thousand words. You can find Sean on Etsy where in addition to sculptural art glass pieces he sells drawer pulls and other specialties for interior design and also takes custom orders. He also designs and creates laser cut leather accessories under the associated name of SRBLeatherCraft. A visit to his Etsy store or his Instagram page is a feast for the eyes, and if you're anything like me you'll feel like a kid in a candy store.

Sean R. Baumbach In His Studio

SRBGlassCraft and SRBLeatherCraft
www.etsy.com/shop/SRBGlassCraft

Gourmand Heaven

A few blocks away from Sean's studio, you can find another kind of chemistry at work, and a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Cheese + Wine Hoboken serves up some of the most delectable specialties anywhere, along with perfect pairings of carefully selected wines. The owner Victoria has created a space to savor, and hosts regular tasting events in her beautifully designed store. She's also such a community minded spirit that you can find local treats such as Choc O Pain French Bakery bread and the luscious creations of Christina Andersen Floral Designs, and you'll find her collaborating with artists and galleries and other local businesses in their spaces as well as her own. Coming up on October 14 is a food and wine tasting you won't want to miss - a Fall Food And Wine Nine Course Event that will pair food and wine and wonderful cheese for unforgettable flavor sensations. Reservations are a must for these exclusive events, so contact Victoria or one of her wonderful staff to reserve your space.

Cheese + Wine Hoboken
720 Monroe Street
Hoboken, New Jersey
(201) 683-8162
www.cheeseandwinestore.com

Delights For The Senses

I found my way over to meet Victoria at Cheese + Wine by way of Christina Andersen and her lovely floral designs. I met Christina at Rummage And Ruffage at The Church of the Holy Innocents in Hoboken one day where she has been sharing her beauty out of doors, and she gave me a flyer from Cheese + Wine where she also sells her gorgeous designs along with the pottery of two amazing artisans. A creative force of nature, Christina Andersen Floral Design will compliment any event or table - her designs grace the space at Choc O Pain French Bakery and Cafe, and add a special compliment to the pairing events at Cheese + Wine Hoboken. The flowers she shared with me the day that I met her have added beauty to my table for weeks. For quality and pure loveliness Christina Andersen Floral Design adds abundance to every setting.

Christina Andersen Floral Design

At Rummage And Ruffage In Fair Weather
Year Round At Cheese + Wine Hoboken
(201) 401-9349
ChristinaAndersenFloralDesign.com