April 30, 2008

Squirrel Sulphide

marbles, glass, collectible, type, German, sulphide, Marble Forum, marbleforum.org
Handmade in Germany in the late 1800s, this wonderful 2 1/8" sulphide shows a squirrel eating a tiny nut.

April 29, 2008

Unicorn by Rich Shelby

marbles, glass, collectible, Rich Shelby, type, contemporary, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgUnicorn by contemporary marble artist Rich Shelby measures 1". Rich is a new marble maker who's been making marbles for about 2 years. His work can be found at lampworketc.com, and his user name on that site is Santa Claus.

April 28, 2008

Green Sunbursts by Master Glass Co.

marbles, glass, collectible, type, Master Glass, Sunburst, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgMade in the 1940s, these green sunbursts measure 5/8".

April 27, 2008

Banded Swirl circa Late 1800s

marbles, glass, collectible, type, swirl, German, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgThis beautiful little handmade, coreless, multicolored, multi-banded swirl measures 13/16" and was made in Germany in the late 1800s.

April 26, 2008

Contemporary by Weber Glass

marbles, glass, collectible, Travis Weber, type, contemporary, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgPsychedelic colors and pattern by Travis Weber. Travis was first introduced to glass working in 1997. After learning a few fundamentals, he soon found himself happily spending all his time behind his torch. To visit Travis' website CLICK HERE.

April 25, 2008

Right and Left Handed Swirls circa Late 1800s

marbles, glass, collectible, type, swirls, right handed, left handed, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgThese two 7/8" onionskin swirls were made in Germany in the late 1800s. Notice that one swirls right [clockwise], while the other swirls left. The vast majority of swirls are right-handed, but every once in a while you'll find a lefty.

April 24, 2008

Contemporaries by Mike Gong

marbles, glass, collectible, Mike Gong, type, contemporary, Marble Forum, marbleforum.org
marbles, glass, collectible, Mike Gong, type, contemporary, Marble Forum, marbleforum.org
Another of the select group of young, talented West Coast glass artists, Mike makes a wide variety of marbles from 1 to 4 inches in diameter. His subject matters include colors, shapes, and even insects [you have see them].

Mike also makes terrific glass figurines of animals and people. You can see more of his work by CLICKING HERE. Mike also has his own website that is under construction - CLICK HERE.

April 23, 2008

Vitro Black-Eyed Pea

marbles, glass, collectible, type, Vitro, black eyed pea, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgNamed for its colors, it also has the distinctive Vitro "V" pattern. An early example from the 1940s, the marble pictured measures 3/4".

April 22, 2008

Jabo Floater

marbles, glass, collectible, Jabo, type, floater, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgA floater is a clear base marble with colored glass "floating" inside. From the collection of Steve Sturtz.

April 20, 2008

Dusted Planets by Joshua Hamra

marbles, glass, collectible, Joshua Hamra, type, planet, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgDark dangerous planets from a galaxy far, far away.

Joshua displayed these marbles at the Orange County Marble Show. You can find more of his work on Internet auction sites.

Contemporary Handmade Marbles from China

marbles, glass, type, mass produced, hand made, China, Marble Forum, marbleforum.org China has begun exporting mass-produced handmade marbles. I started seeing them in 2003 and they typically range in size from 1/2" to 1 1/4".

April 19, 2008

Contemporary by R. Jason Howard

marbles, glass, collectible, Jason Howard, Cicada Glass Works, type, contemporary, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgAn accomplished glass artist, Jason works out of his Cicada Glassworks studio. Jason's works included the beautiful hollow marble pictured. If you'd like to see more of his glass art, visit Jason's website by CLICKING HERE.

April 18, 2008

Champion Agate Swirls

marbles, glass, collectible, Champion, type, swirl, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgIn the early 1980s, Champion produced a series of marbles similar to two-color and three-color swirls produced during the 1930s. Hence, they're referred to as "New Old Fashioned." Those pictured are shooter sized.

April 17, 2008

Fred Rossi Design

marbles, glass, collectible, Fred Rossi, type, contemporary, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgA new design of multiple colors and squared lines by Fred Rossi. This marbles measure 1 1/4". In addition to marbles, Fred also makes pendants and sculptures. If you would like to see more of his work CLICK HERE.

April 16, 2008

Atmosphere Glass Art

marbles, glass, Vacor de Mexico, type, atmosphere glass art, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgHandmade marbles by Vacor de Mexico measuring 7/8" and 1". They were made in 1992 and distributed by Mega Marbles of Wichita, KS.

April 15, 2008

Firecracker Marble by Lamb Creations

marbles, glass, collectible, Lamb Creations, Vee Lamb, Shauana Lamb, type, firecracker, Marble Forum, marbleforum.org"Firecracker" marble made by V&S Lamb. Vee and Shauana Lamb are self-taught lamp workers who began working with glass after watching a demonstration on glass canes. From that day forward they were hooked and began making glass items and marbles.

They prefer Moretti soft glass for the colors, and they do most their work with a torch
at 1700 degrees and a kiln at 950 to 1000; yes, even during the summer temps of Phoenix, AZ. :).

If you would like to purchase some of Lamb Creations marbles you can email the artists at marblelovers@netzero.com.

April 14, 2008

Bird Cage Marble

marbles, glass, collectible, rare, birdcage, for sale, China, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgVery few of these handmade marbles exist, so little is known about them. However, it was probably made in China in the early 1900s. This unique little beauty measures 1 1/4" and was for sale at the Orange County Marble Show for $5,000.

If you are interested in purchasing this marble, send me an email and I'll put you in touch with the owner.

April 13, 2008

Kevin O'Grady

marbles, glass, collectible, Kevin O'Grady, Marble Forum, marbleforum.org
Big beautiful marbles measuring 3", 2", and 1 3/4". Glassaddictionforum.com has a reference for his work. CLICK HERE to check it out.

April 12, 2008

German Paperweight-Style Cloud Marble

marbles, glass, collectible, rare, German, paperweight, Marble Forum, marbleforum.org

Handmade in Germany in the late 1800s, this single pontil, end of day, cloud, paperweight-style marble, measures 1".

April 11, 2008

Contemporary by Steven Pope

marbles, glass, collectible, Steven Pope, type, twisted sea plant, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgA marble expert and avid collector, Steven Pope also creates handmade marbles. This twisted sea plant of his measures 1 1/4".

April 10, 2008

Akro Agate Snakes

marbles, glass, collectible, Akro, type, snake, corkscrew, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgSnakes are Akro corkscrews in transparent glass. These are 5/8" and were made in the 1930s and 1940s.

April 9, 2008

Q-Tips by Mike Close

marbles, glass, collectible, Mike Close, q-tip, Marble Forum, marbleforum.org
Mike calls this marble "Q-tips." Besides making beautiful and creative art glass, Mike did a terrific job in putting on the Orange County Marble Show.

April 8, 2008

Peltier Root Beer Float

marbles, glass, collectible, Peltier, root beer float, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgA "Root Beer Float" is an uncommon and popular Peltier banana, which was made October 27, 1988 by Peltier craftsman George Zellers. This 7/8" marble has a dark amber base with a white vein. About 7,000 were made. From the collection of Matt Reilly.


April 7, 2008

Kaj Beck Glass Art

marbles, glass, collectible, Kaj Beck, Glass Art, etched glass, Marble Forum, marbleforum.orgWarm desert scenes on a 3" etched glass sphere. Created by sand blasting. To see more of Kaj Beck's work CLICK HERE.

April 6, 2008

Italian Ceramic Marbles

marbles, ceramic, Italian, Marble Forum, marbleforum.org
These are contemporary marbles from Italy. They are very colorful and heavy. Unfortunately this set are poorly made and the surface is pitted. The maker has stated that these were not authorized for sale, and are not a good example of her work.

April 5, 2008

Stress Less Art Glass Co.

marbles, glass, collectible, Stress Less Art Glass, type, contemporary, Marble Forum, marbleforum.org
Rainbow box marble by Kevin Nail of Bend, OR. To see more of Kevin's handmade marvels at another website CLICK HERE.

April 4, 2008

Akro Tin Box circa 1930s & 40s


marbles, glass, Akro, box, collectible, collectorAkro Agate tin box #150 with an outstanding collection of oxbloods. For sale at the Orange County Marble Show for $1,000. From the collection of Matt Reilly.

If you would like to purchase this set, send me an email and I'll put you in touch with the owner.

April 3, 2008

Contemporary by Roscoe Art Glass

marbles, glass, Roscoe Art Glass, Christopher Roscoe, collectible, collectorChristopher Roscoe calls this 1 7/8" marble an "Australian sheepdog". To see more of Christopher's ultra high quality marbles CLICK HERE

April 2, 2008

Atlanta Star Marbles


The story goes that these "porcelain" marbles are from the Civil War era and were dug up while excavating in the City of Atlanta in preparation for the Olympics. However, the story is a hoax, and curiously enough, these 3/4" marbles appear to be painted steel balls. I'd throw them away, but they actually make me smile. Who knows, maybe I'll still throw them away?! :)

April 1, 2008

Ben Burton Glass

marbles, glas, Ben Burton, flower, collectible, collector
" Paradise Marble" A palm tree on an Hawaiian desert island. To see more of his work CLICK HERE

This marble is now for sale on ebay as of 4/4/2008.

Ben Burton began his adventure into the glass world in January of 1999 with a simple apprenticeship making pendants and small vessels. Along with the teachings of his mentor and the advice of many friends and colleagues also involved in glass, Ben's abilities to manipulate the medium increased quickly! Ben was lucky enough to take a workshop with master artist Robert Mickelsen in 2002, which opened up new worlds of possibilities! From there, it was onward and upward. With the constant support of his family, Ben was able to take an extended trip to Murano, in Venice, Italy, where he studied with world renowned maestro Lucio Bubacco in his studio. This experience was yet another eye-opener and creativity spurted from there! Upon returning to Hawaii, Ben couldn't help but continue following his passion for glass! Since then he has traveled around the United States working with many other extremely talented artists, and has also traveled back to Murano, to work at the Scuola Del Vetro Abate Zanetti as Lucio's TA. Now residing in the lovely surroundings of O'ahu, Hawaii, where he graduated from HPU with a Bachelors degree in Humanities and Art, Ben's work is highly influenced by the natural beauty and lifestyle that surround him. Although involved with glass for almost a decade, Ben believes the adventure is only beginning!