I want to write today about the differences in quality we see across all kinds of Christmas decorations. I have lots of people ask about resin -- what exactly is resin? Resin is pretty much on the bottom of the scale in terms of mass production. Resin can actually be of extremely detailed sculpting or very plain and cheap. It's a petroleum-based product, so it has its own overhead cost, but it's not labor intensive to use as a base material. It is similar to but chemically different from plastic. In its natural state, it's off-white in color, and is a liquid which hardens inside a mold giving great detail. But today I really want to talk about the higher-end of the market: the quintessential glass ornament.
When we think of glass ornaments, we think of artisans, hand blown glass, a kiln for heating and making the glass molten. We think of carefully sculpted forms and their negative impression molds. We think of art studios and crafts people from yesteryear. The glass Christmas ornament puts old world artistry within the reach of everyman. It's artwork on the go, at the store level, outside of the haughty galleries and into the hands of anyone with a few shillings and the heart to dream of finer things. Glass, like resin, can be blown into almost any shape, though it lacks the hard edges for which resin is so popular. The lines in glass are typical of its nature - flowing and beautiful. There's something precious about these ornaments. Our collection is usually held in the highest esteem above all else, treasured like the finery that it is, yet attainable enough to be handled and enjoyed in everyday life. You can tell: I love glass Christmas ornaments.
The US is a major consumer, and as such, if you ship them to the UK, you'll spend anywhere from 10 pounds up to 90 or more, depending upon the size, and the intricacy of the decorations. But for 10-20 pounds, you just can't beat an absolutely gorgeous Christmas decoration.
When I look over my collection, most of my Scotland more or less patriotic ornaments are intact, but I realize that much of the resin has come and gone. It breaks or chips, and sometimes the paint peels off over time. But none of this applies to glass. It can shatter, but when admired with a little care, it'll last a lifetime. So, the next time you want to give a Christmas gift of truly lasting affection, consider a glass Christmas ornament.