Jill Burke, a news writer from Anchorage, Alaska, spun out a wonderful article, Frozen Glow: Ice Lanterns, on the creation and appreciation of ice lanterns. Great photos, too!
I was fortunate enough to be included.
She also mentioned the City of Lakes Luminary Loppet, an amazing ice luminary event in Minneapolis orchestrated by ice lantern gurus, Hal Galvin and David Bryan. (I usually add a few of my special globe ice lanterns to the mix.)
Thanks Jill!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Problem with Success
We have a problem. A wonderful problem. The Globe Ice Lantern Kits sold so well out of the Patina and Shoppe Local stores that we have an inventory issue--we are currently sold out. We do have a few available for online orders, but are unable to restock any of the stores . . . for now.
See, the idea was that we would do a "soft roll out" of the product to see if it was a good idea and then take it to market on a larger scale. After Patina picked it up, it became a "hard roll out".
THE GOOD NEWS is that we are well on our way to securing vendors that can keep us in good supply of all the good things that are in the kit, so we can send them out to people who are excited about Globe Ice Lanterns.
And excited they are! I get emails everyday from people who are trying it for the first time. It is fascinating to read the different responses. My favorite is from a woman from Anchorage Alaska who said she had just started experimenting with making Globe Ice Lanterns and loved that even her rejects look beautiful!
Have fun and please feel free to contact me with questions, suggestions or to send me photos of your ice lantern creations!
See, the idea was that we would do a "soft roll out" of the product to see if it was a good idea and then take it to market on a larger scale. After Patina picked it up, it became a "hard roll out".
THE GOOD NEWS is that we are well on our way to securing vendors that can keep us in good supply of all the good things that are in the kit, so we can send them out to people who are excited about Globe Ice Lanterns.
And excited they are! I get emails everyday from people who are trying it for the first time. It is fascinating to read the different responses. My favorite is from a woman from Anchorage Alaska who said she had just started experimenting with making Globe Ice Lanterns and loved that even her rejects look beautiful!
Have fun and please feel free to contact me with questions, suggestions or to send me photos of your ice lantern creations!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Welcome to "Globe Icelanterning"
Making Ice Lanterns is an ancient craft that relies on science and ingenuity to create a natural form of art that we all can appreciate but it does not have a name. I say, "I'm going out to make ice lanterns" or "create ice lanterns" which are both unnecessarily long, so I decided to give it a name, like "knitting" and see if it sticks.
So I am introducing, "Globe Icelanterning" as an old craft with a new name.
If you just received the Globe Ice Lantern Kit as a gift and are looking for tips or suggestions, please note the blog topic to the left, but please feel free to contact me with questions. I am very happy to help and REALLY WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!
I have been icelanterning for 20+ years but this is the first year of the Globe Ice Lantern Kits. We assembled all the high quality tools we use plus an instruction sheet that has the basic know-how needed to create small globe ice lanterns. If you have a suggestion for how to improve the globe icelanterning experience, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Hmmpf. The little red underline still appears under the term "icelanterning" while I am writing this. How long will it take to make icelanterning a REAL word. Maybe like Velveteen Rabbit, it will just take the love of the craft and a little time.
Oh, and if you think you have a better name for the wonderful craft of making ice lanterns, I'd love to hear it! Contact me.
So I am introducing, "Globe Icelanterning" as an old craft with a new name.
If you just received the Globe Ice Lantern Kit as a gift and are looking for tips or suggestions, please note the blog topic to the left, but please feel free to contact me with questions. I am very happy to help and REALLY WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!
I have been icelanterning for 20+ years but this is the first year of the Globe Ice Lantern Kits. We assembled all the high quality tools we use plus an instruction sheet that has the basic know-how needed to create small globe ice lanterns. If you have a suggestion for how to improve the globe icelanterning experience, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Hmmpf. The little red underline still appears under the term "icelanterning" while I am writing this. How long will it take to make icelanterning a REAL word. Maybe like Velveteen Rabbit, it will just take the love of the craft and a little time.
Oh, and if you think you have a better name for the wonderful craft of making ice lanterns, I'd love to hear it! Contact me.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Melting Globe Ice Lanterns
The temperatures in Minneapolis these last few days have caused many Globe Ice Lanterns to reduce in size - melt to be specific. But, thankfully, there are several ways that one can extend the life of an ice lantern by protecting a lantern from the wrath of the sun:
1. If possible, display in an area that is shady for the majority of the day.
2. Cover with a WHITE plastic bag during the day.
3. During warm spells, move the lanterns to the north side of a building or a freezer. (If the lantern has become frozen to a surface, a gentle kick [don't break your toe] will loosen the globe. If it won't budge with a kick, put a "Wonderbar" or flat screwdriver at the base and with a hammer, tap to loosen.)
4. During a very warm spell, put the lantern in a plastic bag and bury in a snow bank. The snow will insulate against the heat.
But then again, don't worry. Now that you own a Globe Ice Lantern Kit, you can just make yourself another lantern when it gets cold again!
Pray for cold weather!
Have fun and please feel free to contact me with questions, suggestions or to send me photos of your ice lantern creations!
1. If possible, display in an area that is shady for the majority of the day.
2. Cover with a WHITE plastic bag during the day.
3. During warm spells, move the lanterns to the north side of a building or a freezer. (If the lantern has become frozen to a surface, a gentle kick [don't break your toe] will loosen the globe. If it won't budge with a kick, put a "Wonderbar" or flat screwdriver at the base and with a hammer, tap to loosen.)
4. During a very warm spell, put the lantern in a plastic bag and bury in a snow bank. The snow will insulate against the heat.
But then again, don't worry. Now that you own a Globe Ice Lantern Kit, you can just make yourself another lantern when it gets cold again!
Pray for cold weather!
Have fun and please feel free to contact me with questions, suggestions or to send me photos of your ice lantern creations!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Eight stores are currently stocking the Globe Ice Lantern Starter Kits!
PATINA Gift Stores have 5 locations throughout the Twin Cities:
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30-9:00, Sunday 11:00AM-6PM
Highland Park
2057 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116
651.695.9955
Northeast Minneapolis
2305 18th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN,55418
612.788.8933
Uptown/Kenwood
1009 W. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
612.872.0880
South Minneapolis
5001 Bryant Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55419
612.821.9315
Selby & Snelling
1581 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104
651.644.5444
The Guild Collective on Excelsior Boulevard - in between Trader Joe's and Opitz in St. Louis Park. She has displayed local artisan's wares with fun and flair!
4414 Excelsior Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN - (952) 378-1815
Hours: Tuesday - Friday 11-8, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12-5, Closed Mondays
Shoppe Local on 50th Street next to the Malt Shop (near Lyndale Ave S.). Shoppe Local is the new venture by Patina Stores to promote local artisans!
813 West 50th Street, Minneapolis, MN - (612) 827-3071
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun.
Camrose Hill Flower Studio & Farm, "Located in the heart of downtown Stillwater our shop has beautiful flowers and wonderful nature inspired treasures for your home and garden."
233 South 2nd Street (Corner of 2nd and Olive), Stillwater, MN 55082 - (651) 351-9631
Hours: 10:00 to 5:00 Monday through Saturday and 11:00 to 5:00 Sunday.
Happy Shopping!
Contact me with questions, suggestions or to send me photos of your ice lantern creations!
Am I a Science Teacher?
"I wish, but noooooo!", is the answer I offer after explaining the basic concept behind making an ice lantern. But, I am the daughter, niece and granddaughter of teachers, inventors and hand crafters. As I was growing up, I heard my mother say, "there has to be a better way to do this", in regards to almost everything, and then gave me incredible freedom to explore my own creativity.
So when she introduced the concept of making ice lanterns decades ago, I played with the idea and tried to "make it better." And when my own kids came along, I had one more trick up my sleeve around the holidays to add even more magic to their lives. As time marched on, ice lanterns continue to be lit for homecomings and celebrations, and an old crusty ones filled with sun lines are often put (in a punch bowl drip tray system) in bedrooms as ethereal nightlights.
If you are wondering what the basic science is behind making ice lanterns . . .
. . . water, as it is freezing, forms very orderly crystalline patterns that do not have room in their molecular structure for any other substances, so the impurities are pushed toward the warmer center of the lantern (causing streaks of light). When a balloon filled with water has been placed on the warmth of the earth to partially freeze is popped, the unfrozen water and extra minerals (impurities) are released revealing a natural cavity on the bottom of the lantern. Because of the round nature of the cavity, a candle can be placed under the lantern (with plenty of air flow from underneath) and a chimney forms all by itself. How? The surface tension of water causes the melting water to follow the shape of the cavity and not extinguish the candle."
Science teacher, no. Ice lantern ethusiast, yes . . .
ASIDE
I am thrilled to report that we now have secure ONLINE ORDERING of Globe Ice Lantern Kits and Supplies through our distributor, Hedberg Maps. As always, feel free to CONTACT ME with question, concerns and suggestions!
So when she introduced the concept of making ice lanterns decades ago, I played with the idea and tried to "make it better." And when my own kids came along, I had one more trick up my sleeve around the holidays to add even more magic to their lives. As time marched on, ice lanterns continue to be lit for homecomings and celebrations, and an old crusty ones filled with sun lines are often put (in a punch bowl drip tray system) in bedrooms as ethereal nightlights.
If you are wondering what the basic science is behind making ice lanterns . . .
. . . water, as it is freezing, forms very orderly crystalline patterns that do not have room in their molecular structure for any other substances, so the impurities are pushed toward the warmer center of the lantern (causing streaks of light). When a balloon filled with water has been placed on the warmth of the earth to partially freeze is popped, the unfrozen water and extra minerals (impurities) are released revealing a natural cavity on the bottom of the lantern. Because of the round nature of the cavity, a candle can be placed under the lantern (with plenty of air flow from underneath) and a chimney forms all by itself. How? The surface tension of water causes the melting water to follow the shape of the cavity and not extinguish the candle."
Science teacher, no. Ice lantern ethusiast, yes . . .
ASIDE
I am thrilled to report that we now have secure ONLINE ORDERING of Globe Ice Lantern Kits and Supplies through our distributor, Hedberg Maps. As always, feel free to CONTACT ME with question, concerns and suggestions!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tuesday, December 15th at REI in Bloomington
The Science Behind Magic In Creating Beautiful Ice Luminaries
12/15/2009 7:00 PM
Join Luminary Chief, Hal Galvin and David Bryan, Chief Luminary Technical Officer as they discuss the science employed to create the magical City of Lakes Luminary Loppet. Jennifer Hedberg, will follow with a discussion about Globe Ice Lanterns and her artistic contribution to the Luminary Loppet!
Now in its fifth year, the Luminary Loppet has quickly become a premier event in the festival of activities that make up the City of Lakes Loppet. The all-volunteer crew uses both science and alchemy to transform swamp water into a visual splendor. Specific topics include the process of making 1000 luminaries, the Ice-Cropolis - towers of ice up to 12' tall, the Ice-Pyramid, and Globe Ice Lanterns. The Luminary Loppet is a non-competitive ski and snowshoe around Lakes of the Isles in Uptown, Minneapolis.
The 2010 Luminary Loppet will be held Friday evening, February 6th.
Participants ski onto the lagoon in Uptown between Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun. The lagoon is lit by Globe Ice Lanterns made by Jennifer Hedberg. Proceeding under two bridges, skiers will emerge onto a luminary-lit trail around Lake of the Isles. With more than 1,000 luminaries, an ice pyramid, the Ice-Cropolis, five stations with fire pits and goodies including hot cocoa and coffee, and even some fire-spinners, the Luminary Loppet can be enjoyed by anyone on skis or snowshoes.
- Location: REI Bloomington
- Contact: Hal Galvin, Chief Luminarian, galvin@cityoflakesloppet.com or 612-868-2435
- Cost: Free
- Registration Required? No.
- http://www.cityoflakesloppet.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9&Itemid=31
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