We had a good time this year in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Like last year the show and sale was at the Twin Mountains Inn & Suites which is directly on the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. And, again, like last year, our room overlooked the River.
New Hot Glass Artists
While we are always glad to see old friends, we also like to see new marble artists and we always buy some of their work.
This year was no exception.
Derick Dove
At the public sale on Saturday we met Derick of Derick Dove Glass and his wife.[1]
We understand that they both took hot glass classes to learn to make marbles, but, so far, only Derick has jumped in! His business card advertises one of a kind glass work: miniatures, marbles, pendants, and cremation memorials.
Wait, cremation what? We first learned about this new trend in Borosilicate glass working recently.
Joanne collects paperweights and we almost bought a cremation weight for her collection without knowing what it was!
What an idea! Ashes from a loved one are placed inside crystal-clear glass and, with marbles, you can carry your family ashes around with you in your pocket! From what we understand the ashes look silvery inside the glass.
Several things still stump us about this trend. We wonder, for example, with no identification on the marble or other glass memorial, how can anyone tell who’s ashes are inside? Like that paperweight we found in a shop, how can you even know you’ve found a cremation marble when it is standalone in a store?
While we could not find any Dove Glass cremation memorials online, if you just search “Cremation Marbles” you will be amazed. One site we browsed offers marbles, worry stones, pendants and other jewelry, and sun catchers with ashes inside.[2]
Glass By Hoot
You can see some of the fantastic work by Michael Howell @GlassByHoot. Again, this is a husband and wife team and we really enjoyed meeting them.
Photos from the Show
The Relic Room[3]
Recently, while working on a story about privy marbles (You Dug It Up Where?) we met Chase Pipes electronically (see photo above) and Austin Dalton from the Relic Room in Sevierville, Tennessee. While at the marble show in nearby Pigeon Forge we planned a short trip to Sevierville to meet them both in person.
They are two of the most gracious and friendly professionals we have ever met. Austin completes research for the Relic Room and is in the shop every day.
Here is a clip from Chase’s online biography:[4]
“A passionate adventurer and historian, Chase Pipes believes that everyone should have access to historical information and artifacts regardless of their budget, education or age. To this end, he serves as the co-owner and operator of Smoky Mountain Relic Room in Tennessee. This store sells authentic, legally sourced historical items, such as minerals, fossils, meteorites, and artifacts, at a variety of price points to fit everyone’s budget.
Beyond leading Smoky Mountain Relic Room, Mr. Pipes also serves as the host of “Chasing History” on YouTube, “Chasing History Radio” on local radio shows, and the “Chasing History Radio” podcast. An educational documentary series, Mr. Pipes uses Chasing History to bring viewers into the history and discovery of many of the items that he sells at his store.”
On this visit to the Relic Room Austin pointed out the “Americana” glass cases and we were very happy to see good old American marbles for sale.
This was our last marble show and we made the most of it. Whenever you visit the Smoky Mountains we highly recommend that you stop in the Relic Room in Sevierville. We promise that you won’t be disappointed.
- @hootowltattoo; Hootowltattoo@gmail.com ↑
- https://www.cremationmarbles.com/index.html 5/23/2023 ↑
- https://www.therelicroom.com/ ↑
- Chase Pipes “Brings History to Everyone” @ https://www.doyoubuzz.com/chase-pipes (5/24/2023) We also enjoy Chase’s YouTube videos. Check “Chasing History: History of Marbles—Collecting & Hunting” @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBEhfLAfxY0 5/24/2023↑
