One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is visit the Main Street District of historic Grapevine, Texas. It’s like stepping into Christmas past where cell phones fall silent and sprawled fingers are pressed against store windows instead of keypads. Pajama-clad little ones wait in anticipation for a memorable evening on the North Pole Express.
This year my husband and I were surprised by how many new things there were for art lovers. We viewed paintings and sculptures in an art gallery and met local artist-blacksmith Will Frary who was entertaining a group of corndog-eating kiddos. With a smile on his face he hammered out petals for a floral design he was working on—hand forged gifts for family and friends.
Even with the wheezing chimney and the clanging of metal on metal, there was something calming about his shop. Maybe it was his patience with wide-eyed guests or how he welcomed a community in to study a different art form. Either way, I left happy because this artist took something he loved and shared it with others.
Rounding out the day, my husband and I stopped in at Vetro Glass Blowing Studio and Art Gallery to make a hand-blown art glass ornament. It was unique, fun and something to include in our future Christmas traditions. I’ve shared a video below with highlights from our ornament-making experience. I hope you enjoy some holiday fun with your loved ones this season.
