While on a recent trip to Sayulita, Mexico, I was reminded of the joy of giving.  My husband, myself and our very dear friends, Kelly and Jeff, decided to spend some time in the surfing/hippie town of Sayulita.  My husband, who had just purchased 25 bellaballs at our seconds sale (yes, he has to pay for them!) decided to bring a beautiful bellaball with us.  After several glorious hours of enjoying the scenery, shops, and the beach, we decided to have a margarita and some dinner at a lovely little restaurant on the beach.  Before we had a chance to be seated, my husband excused himself and went for a little walk on the beach.  When he returned, he mentioned that he had dropped the bellaball on the beach near the surf and thought it would be fun to see if anyone would see it while we were having dinner.  We had the perfect view!  Several people walked right by the glass float, looking in different directions.   Soon, a little boy was walking along  the beach, kicking up sand and surf.  It was incredible to see him gaze upon the orb and go to investigate.  He bent over the bellaball and looked up to make sure he wasn’t doing anything wrong.  He called for his father.  His father went over to him and it looked as if he was telling the little boy to leave it there… it wasn’t his to take.  At this point, my friend Kelly and I made our way to the father and son.  We explained ( in our best spanish) that the bellaball was his to keep.  He found a treasure!  With grace and gratitude, the father and son accepted the small gift.  The look of joy on the face of the little boy was incredible.

A reminder that giving is beautiful!

Wow!  It’s been a long time since I blogged   Much has happened in the bella world in the past year.  Lesli and I have introduced a few new adornments, we have added a new color, True Love, a gorgeous blend of colors from the heavens and earth…pictures to follow…We’ve also had our second ‘Seconds Sale’ which brought many friends, old and new into our studio.  We’re added a facebook page, friend us, ‘bellaballs Glass Floats’ and we twitter too!  bella_balls

We love to hear from all of our collectors, so please drop us a line anytime..or a photo of your bella and how you display it!  We love to hear from you………

Tacoma poet, Tammy Robacker, celebrates and releases her first book of poetry, The Vicissitudes, published by Pearle Publications. The public is invited to join the poet for a special book release, reading, and signing party held Sunday, October 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the bellaballs art studio located at 747 South Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma. Current 2009-10 Urban Grace Poet Laureate of Tacoma, Antonio Edwards, Jr. will be emceeing the poetry event, which is free and open to the public.

Robacker’s collection of poetry, The Vicissitudes, was made possible due to funding by the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program (TAIP) grant awarded to her this past year from the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Arts Commission.

Local bellaballs owners, Lesli Jacobs-M cHugh and Diane Hansen, have designed and hand-blown a collection of Limited Edition ‘Vicissitudes’ bellaballs—created exclusively for sale at the release party for Tammy Robacker’s first book. The bellas are 3″ in diameter and will be sold for $28 each. They are inspired by the book’s hot pink and black cover created by Seattle designer, Martin McClellan. The Vicissitudes bellas are transparent, hot pink glass floats embossed with sterling silver and 24 Karat gold on a black background with the bellaballs ‘beautiful’ design adornment.

“Lesli and I met Tammy through a writing project at the beginning of our own new business venture last year—when bellaballs was still a concept. She has always been there for us. Supporting us and encouraging our dream,” said glass artist, Diane Hansen.

“We are honored to be hosting this reading and celebrating the release of her new book,” said local designer, Lesli Jacobs-McHugh.

Come enjoy this exclusive reading of poetry from Ms. Robacker’s new book as well as refreshments, the live jazz duo: Sidewalk Symphony, and an opportunity to meet and greet the author! Don’t forget to pick up your signed copy of The Vicissitudes at this event for $14.95. Only cash and checks can be accepted.

Tammy Robacker studied Creative Writing and Poetry at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, graduating with a B.A. degree in=2 01993. Now, actively involved in the South Sound poetry community as a poet, a freelance writer and a volunteer, Robacker also serves as secretary of the board for Puget Sound Poetry Connection and secretary of the board for Exquisite Disarray Publishing, a non-profit literary arts organization that publishes Northwest writers. In 2009, she co-edited a Tacoma poetry anthology, with former Urban Grace Poet Laureate of Tacoma, Bill Kupinse, called, In Tahoma’s Shadow: Poems from the City of Destiny. Her poetry has appeared in Plazm, Floating Bridge Review: Pontoon, Word Salad, Pens on Fire, and the Allegheny Review.

own beautiful give beautiful live beautiful