Handmade Ornament

** THIS ITEM SHIPS FOR FREE IN THE U.S.**

We commissioned this one-of-a-kind lebkuchen ornament from glass artist Laura Beth Konopinski.

Laura Beth has worked with us the last few holiday seasons, bringing her artistry to the craft of making lebkuchen.

With her two decades of experience working with glass, we knew she would create something special.

But capturing the essence of lebkuchen (including the wafer on the bottom!) in glass was no easy feat; Laura Beth made 180+ attempts over the last 6 months to get the ornament just right.

This unique handmade ornament is sure to add joy to your holiday celebrations. 100% of the sales will go directly to Laura Beth as the artist.

Glass Fusing Process:

• Four layers of sheet glass are cut and shaped by hand to form each layer of wafer, cookie, glaze, and almonds
• These layers are fully fused in the kiln as the glass is brought to its melting point at 1450°F
• Two separate applications of an enamel coating recreate the milky, semi-transparent sugar glaze that tops every Classic lebkuchen

• A second kiln firing is needed to achieve the proper lebkuchen appearance and form

Ornament Details:

• Measures ~3.25" in diameter
• Weighs ~3.7 ounces (be sure to hang from a sturdy branch!)
• As glass is a natural material, and each ornament is made by hand, variations in color, size, and texture are expected as part of the process

About the artist:

For over 20 years, Laura Beth has explored her creativity through the medium of glass. She has worked and taught at renowned art institutions like the Penland School of Crafts, the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, the Corning Museum of Glass, and the Pittsburgh Glass Center. Her sculptures have been exhibited at Art Miami, SOFA Chicago, the Erie Museum of Art, and the Annual International Glass Exhibition at the Habatat Gallery. These experiences have allowed her to meticulously hone her expertise in sculpted, fused, and stained glass.

Through her local business, Glass Ritual, Laura Beth is dedicated to creating artworks that honor personal traditions and daily rituals. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her artistry through this special collaboration with Leckerlee.