Christmas Shopping.

I've never been quite so far behind with my Christmas shopping as I am this year so I took a little trip out on Monday to Biot to see if inspiration struck.
Biot is yet another beautiful, perched Provencal village and its speciality is glass. There are several verreries just outside the village but La Verrerie de Biot is perhaps the most popular.
If you're in the area it's well worth a visit because you can watch the glassmakers making the glassware. It's quite spectacular though you wonder how they cope in high summer handling molten glass in a room full of furnaces. It's pretty uncomfortable as a visitor but at least we're able to pop in and out. There was little work going on on Monday, though, as we arrived just before lunchtime and the artisans were off eating.
The gallery of Jean Claude Navarro, one of the better known artists, was open and the second and third photos show examples of his work.
I particularly like the teardrop shaped paperweight. The clean unfussy lines appeal to me. Too much detail stresses me. I love the colours of the vase in the third photo but couldn't live with it.
I felt like buying the teardrop glass or at least putting it on my wish list but I already have a paperweight collection that lives in a cupboard because of lack of space and this one wouldn't fit in as it's considerably bigger. Pity.

I moved into the shop area and the sight of all that china and glassware terrified me as I'm always sure that one day I'll upend a display.

The glass is hand made and is known for the tiny air bubbles incorporated during its manufacture which aren't really visible in the photos. I liked the champagne and glasses gift set though it was expensive and I couldn't think of anyone to give it to but it's nice to know it's there should I ever need to buy a magnificent present for someone.

I loved these fish bowls but again for myself.

Well, I came away empty handed though I'd spent a relaxing half an hour looking round at all the beautiful stuff but I'm still no nearer to finding presents. I guess there's always Amazon!

I hadn't realised that by clicking on the photos they're enlargeable. Duh!