The Delphi Blog

John K

Meet John Kershek –Trend Forecaster John has spent many years of his career in the fashion and trend industries. He has created numerous products that have combined the most up-to-date looks with functionality. John has been a global traveler and has searched many countries and cities for the next new color or emerging new lifestyle trend. In one article, John was noted for his “sensible taste, his acute color awareness and practical approach to fashion.” Throughout his career, John has championed new products that have become instant best sellers. “I always want to show how an average person can change up his or her environment by adding dashes of color, a new pattern or a quick twist of everyday objects. I believe global fashions or trends are instant to all people, regardless of where they live. Each of us can see new colors or trends in many different ways. I enjoy showcasing fresh ideas or concepts and watch as YOU make them relative to your own space,” said John. John will be explaining how colors and trends ebb and flow in our daily lives. He will teach us how a “creative eye” can jump start a new fresh approach in our personal spaces. Look for various articles in the future from the “TREND FORECASTER."

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Spring Color Trends for 2011

In Inspiration By John K

Inspiration

Global Overview of Colors Theme: The spectrum of color for 2011-2012 is wide and diverse. These colors are rich saturated hues. They evoke a sense of intensity and culture. They are cheery and, in most cases, bright. Follow your own inspiration. Break a color rule or mix palettes. Remember, color is personal and can infuse vibrant emotion. Influences: Brighter colors may lift our spirits during these uncertain economic times and create a sense of optimism for the future. The palette is bright but not radical. With an eye turned towards revitalizing the economy, colors, like our thoughts about the future, are slightly more reserved, said Kate Smith of Sensational Color. Applications: Color allows us to change our environment quickly, and most times, with little effort and little expense. Choosing a new wall color and adding lighting, hard or soft accessories (table top or pillows as examples) floor or window treatments can complement your style or personal taste. A pop of color will make traditional pieces within your home feel more unique and eclectic. Globa l Blues and Greens: The current colors, blue and greens (cool-wishful colors), will rem

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Spring Decorating Trends in Glass

In Inspiration By John K

Inspiration

1-2-3 Alphabet Soup Make your style personal and creative. Use numbers and letters to personalize your home dcor. Various fonts, sizes, colors and unusual applications create striking results. Initials, monograms and words add depth and sometimes amusement to a bare wall or boring box, and will always require a second look. Numbers are also popular. A house number, significant date, anniversary or just a favorite number (mine is 16) all add a personal touch to everyday projects. Todays numbers appear clean, fresh and new again. Combining new project ideas and vintage pieces, can be show stopping when displayed together. Whatever you create, youll be #1, and get an A for your efforts. Drawer Pulls / Knobs A quick and easy project that everyone can do. When added to a piece of furniture, drawer pulls instantly give a room personality. Initials or monograms are fun and creative and will be unexpected. Another quick idea is to add the knobs to a wood board and instantly you have a creative clothes rack. Letters like B-A-T-H or W-A-S-H will liven up bathrooms and laundry areas and create an unexpected second look! Glass Magnetic Letters A quick and fun

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Mardi Gras Magic

In Inspiration By John K

Inspiration

Of all the art mediums, glass is perhaps the most beautiful way to capture the magic of Mardi Gras. Glass artists in New Orleans, and across the US and worldwide, are embracing the holiday and creating some incredible projects. The Mardi Gras celebration is full of color and symbolism, and provides inspiration for bold, eccentric art. Delphi Artist, Julie Haan, whose talent extends into fusing, stained glass, mosaics and beyond, created the awesome projects you see in this post. Her inspiration? The rich history behind one of the world's most beloved celebrations. The actual phrase Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday in French. Its a long lasting European custom for people to overindulge before the sobering beginning of Lent. Some scholars believe the original roots can be traced back to ancient Roman times during their springtime feasting. In the United States, the Grand Capital of Mardi Gras is New Orleans, where celebrations have been going strong since the early 1700s. Mardi Gras is February 8, 2011. In the United States, the Mardi Gras tradition was established by krewes or private clubs. Today more than 60 krewes plan the parades, the balls and outrageous c

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Snow Globes: Not Just for Christmas Anymore

In Inspiration By John K

Inspiration

I love listening to the stories our customers share with us, especially during the holiday season. It seems this year there is a reoccurring theme. Snow globes. Water or snow globes are a huge decorating trend for holiday 2010. I remember fondly my very first snow globe, given to me on Christmas Eve, 1961. Right after the Christmas Church pageant, I was awarded an Away in the Manager globe for remembering all my lines in the play. I also remember, with a smile, the last episode of the TV show St. Elsewhere when the autistic son, looked into his snow globe, shook it and the entire hospital came alive. Did you know that water globes (The correct name, snow globes-came much later) have an interesting history? Water globes first appeared in the late 1800's in France and are believed to be derived from the concept of paperweights. The first water globe was a palm-sized glass globe featuring the Eiffel Tower as the center piece with a ceramic base. It was introduced to the public in the 1889 Paris Exposition and became a great souvenir item. Snow globes spread across Europe from France to Germany, Austria, Poland and then England. Figurines, clocks, dolls, medals and wedding flo

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Great Gifts in Under 3 Hours

In Inspiration By John K

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"Quick! I need a last minute gift, and I need it now." What should I do? What should I give? I have no time left, and I will not go to the MALL one more time. Sound familiar? Is this just a repeat from past years? Do you want a simple solution? Let the Delphi Elves help you eliminate the stress, the frustration and headaches and achieve Ultimate Holiday Bliss. OK maybe, thats pushing it a little far, but we do have some awesome gift ideas that you can create in fewer than three hours in most cases. I have selected some of my favorites to give and receive.

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The New Gingerbread Man

In Inspiration By John K

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"Nothing says lovin' like something from the oven. Remember that phrase? Holiday 2010 is all about memories, and making special gifts with appreciation for the recipient. And nothing brings back memories at Christmas like the Gingerbread Man (now complete with an entire family). From enjoying the cinnamon aroma while baking, to decorating each one with care and arranging them just so on the plate, these cookies bring love and joy to the baker as well as the cookie eater. Recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, grandparents to great grandchildren, neighbors to neighbors and now even to strangers on Facebook. In 2010, look for the new Gingerbread Man cookie to be wrapped with precision, tradition and preservation. These beautiful golden brown cookies, with hints of red, look great on your table, as a snack or as a centerpiece. When grouped together, it makes a simple, yet elegant Holiday statement, evoking the memory of our first Gingerbread Man cookie. He makes us smile. He makes us laugh. And he makes for wonderful storytelling with our children and our childrens children. Try making a long-lasting Gingerbread Family and share a wonderful tradit

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Get Inspired with Collegiate Pre-Cuts for the Holidays

In Inspiration By John K

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As a proud Dad of an MSU grad (2008-Son is actually working in his field of study) I have to tell you about what we have developed at the Delphi Glass Studio - pre-cut glass logos and mascots of Michigan State University. They are wonderful and easy to work with. We have had many of our in-house artists create different projects using these pre-cuts. I plan on using five white "S" pre-cuts, five green S pre-cuts and five mid-size Sparty Helmets on a small evergreen tree on our foyer table for the Holidays. This will be a quick and easy way to show our Michigan spirit. (Also, I just found out, to celebrate 8 in a Row we have put all the shapes on sale!) Stock up now, while they're on sale, before the holidays. This is the perfect gift to give any Sparty Fanatic. Check them out on the Delphi website. For those of you asking for other schools, I am working on that now and hopefully soon we'll be announcing several more colleges. Keep watching and reading my blog. GO SPARTANS! Project image created by Delphi Artist Val Oswalt.

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Glaskoben Ornaments: On Trend This Holiday Season

In Inspiration By John K

Inspiration

Deck the halls with boughs of holly is really more than just lyrics from a popular holiday song. Each year my family and I always try to do something new and creative that will make memories for years to come. When I started my search internationally on whats new for Christmas 2010, I noticed a very obvious trend appearing all over. The round shape of the traditional ornament is very much in vogue. The real difference however is creating unique, one of a kind glass orbs to be enjoyed and admired. This year for Christmas 2010, we have a very special project that your entire family can assist in making. These beautiful GLASKOLBENS will be cherished and admired by friends and family alike. Ideas and suggestions for displaying your Glaskolbens 1. Arrange a variety of colors in your favorite bowl and instantly it becomes a show stopping centerpiece. 2. Nestle clusters of orbs in fresh greens and place in a horizontal line . (Your fireplace mantle is a perfect spot or a wide window sill.) 3. A small tabletop Christmas tree adorned with Glaskolbens and faceted crystals or jewels is a wonderful focal point in your foyer or buffet table. 4. Consider using gift tags

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Dimensional Glass Art Making a Comeback

In Inspiration By John K

Inspiration

Dimensional or 3-D relief in glass art is making a very strong comeback for Fall 2010, and we predict it to be even stronger in 2011. Adding cast pieces will bring excitement and a novelty look to your work. The process is easy. When planning your project, consider elements of the design that could be made with glass castings. Once fired and cleaned, castings can be foiled and soldered into panels, lamps and lanterns, added to mosaics, or fired into fused art. Your finished project will have a sculptural look and will showcase your glass art abilities. The deer trophy stained glass panel by artist Teresa Batten is a wonderful example of 3-D castings. Each pinecone has a rich textured surface and adds realistic interpretation to the finished panel. The unique design not only captures the spirit of the piece but also invites the viewer to examine the work from different angles. 3-D reliefs can be used in contemporary or traditional designs. The stunning lamp by artist Julie Haan combines several different surfaces, which adds beauty and wonder to the piece. The near-real butterflies add interest and cast glowing shadows that ebb and flow throughout the day and evening hours

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Making Thanksgiving Memories

In Inspiration By John K

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One of my favorite memories growing up in Northern Wisconsin was our annual family Thanksgiving Day dinner. With lingering aromas from the kitchen, waiting to see cousins that I hadnt seen for several months, and the anticipation of who breaks the wishbone, the day seemed magical. Each year it seemed we created new family traditions, and our Delphi Family would like to suggest some traditions your family can start: 1. For a fun accent piece for the holiday table, try slumping brown or green bottles as a side dish. The size is perfect to serve Aunt Mildreds sweet potato hash or your family favorite. The color will add punch to the table as well. 2. Make it easy to identify whos drink is whos . We like the idea of creating glass beads strung with silver wire and attached to the goblet stem to claim your stake. As a take away gift, these are wonderful and can be used over and over. 3. Surprise your family and relatives by creating your own unique tableware. Using various size plates or serving pieces, solids and patterns will mix and match for a perfect harmonized and stylish look. Let your imagination go wild! 4. Small decorative weights (pumpkins are this season

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FREE Scarecrow Project Guide & Fall Decorating Ideas

In Inspiration By John K

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Ho! For the leaves that eddy down, crumpled yellow and withered brown... Starting aloft to windy ways, telling the coming of bonfire days. - "Bonfire Days" by Grace Strickler Dawson Ginny from Melbourne, Florida wrote us with this question: "Help! I need ideas and suggestions for my front lawn and porch to welcome in the new fall season. It seems every neighbor has great plans except for me. What do you recommend?" We have some really fun, interesting and quick ideas: This season, scarecrows will take center stage. Each one will be unique and make memories and smiles. Simple or elaborate, each will showcase "their" personality. Feeling ambitious? Create a pair or a family. Make the stained glass scarecrow shown above. Download our Free Project Guide by Delphi Artist Julie Haan. Dress up your walkway or your front stoop. As the nights get longer, and dusk comes sooner, luminaries will make a strong visual impact. Go Green: Recycle glass bottles and jars by cutting them with a bottle cutter , use either the tops or bottoms (or mix and match parts) to shelter tea lights or inexpensive votives. They will last for several hours. Find creative ways to deco

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Bring the Outdoor into Your Home

In Inspiration By John K

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Any ideas on how to make my home more relaxed and casual? Bring outdoors into your home for a fun, and spirited look. Become adaptive with planters, stands, and iron tables. These items can be as charming and functional as they have been outdoors. Think outside the box, be creative and enjoy your new surroundings. For a quick pick up, we suggest: Iron tables: Perfect next to your bed Place a lamp on the top and place next to your favorite reading chair A great spot for the remote, cell phone or any other electrical gadget Place a larger glass top and have a new breakfast area A smaller table is a welcome addition in any bathroom or dressing area In a foyer, this will set the tone for a casual look. (Place fresh flowers on top) In a dining room, cluster candles on top and eat in candle light In the kitchen, makes a perfect beverage center, lemonade, iced tea etc. Oversized Planters and Pots Place a glass on top and an instant coffee table, perfect for magazines! In the bedroom, place extra bed linens inside In a child's room, a toy catch-all For a large gathering, fill with ice and use as a beverage container Place a large floral and stems

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A Polka Dot Sensation

In Inspiration By John K

Inspiration

From the Paris runways to your child's birthday gift wrapping paper, everywhere are POLKA DOTS! From small "aspirin dots" to "quarter dots" (Size is noted by common everyday round objects) the look is here to stay for a very long time. It is believed the dot originated in Poland with the now famous Polka Dance. Dancers would create wild and colorful clothing emphasizing multi-sized circles/ dots. Need some inspiration to get you started? We have ideas! For your next party, create fun and functional serving and accent pieces. One of our favorites is the quick and easy cheese serving set. The simple pattern will let you customize any color to fit you decorating scheme. Make 2 sets, one to keep and one to give as a perfect hostess gift. Brighten up a boring table, by making either polka dot chargers, or after dinner dessert or side plates. Use each family member's favorite color to designate their plate. Hey, this might be a way to get your children to eat their vegetables! Looking for new and creative napkin rings or holders? Try using clear or solid color glass strips and adding contrasting or multi-color dots.Mix and match, or coordinate for each season.

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Spook-Tacular Halloween Decorations

In Inspiration By John K

Inspiration

Did you know that Halloween is the second largest decorating holiday after Christmas? And October 31st will be here before you know it! Now is the time to start thinking about Halloween decorations, especially if you plan to sell your crafts. For a "boo-tiful" look for your home, office or store, we have made simple suggestions that anyone can do! This year's hottest home decorating trends are SKULLS, GHOSTS and SPIDERS. All shapes, sizes and colors, will accent your tabletop, window sun catchers, accent mosaic pieces and of course your trick or treat candy bowl. For fun and quick easy looks, we suggest: 1.) Place a square of orange or black glass in the middle of your table, and arrange pumpkins and spiders for a incredible centerpiece. 2.) Pre-cut glass shapes of various Halloween motifs can be easily made into unique and functional serving pieces, candy dishes, and one of a kind gifts. 3.) Making fused cube candle holders using simple orange and black glass with white ghosts is a fun project. 4.) For a "spooky" porch accent, try making a novelty wind chime; A great visual and audio treat. 5.) Go Green! Recycle bottles with quick and easy mosaics. Choose your

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The Colors are Hot, Intense, and Full of Life

In Inspiration By John K

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Delphi Glass has many experts on hand to help you, such as stained glass experts, fusing experts and jewelry experts. But, did you know we also have trend experts? As a Merchandise Specialist at Delphi, one of things I enjoy best is predicting color trends. With the help of Delphi's staff artists and instructors we have come up with our choices for late summer. Our choice for the top 3 colors for late summer 2010 are:

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