Alan,

My mother was a second generation Steuben employee, and her mother—my grandmother—worked in the “Gold Room” for Steuben in the Corning factory for many years, affixing gold adornments to Steuben sculptural pieces. I, myself, was a third generation Steuben employee working in the Corning office producing printed material and catalogs. A love of all things Steuben has permeated my family for as long as I can remember, beginning with a 7985 Bouquet Vase glistening on the mantel when I was a child.

I wanted to share with your readers some of the gifts my father had designed to surprise my mother on their 50th wedding anniversary and I thought it fitting to share on December 5th, the day of their anniversary.

The attached photo shows three custom designed pendants, each made with Aurene glass. The first is a representation of Keuka Lake where they summered for more than 30 years. The diamond is the location of their cottage and the grape clusters, in rose gold, an important economic product of the Finger Lakes in New York State.

The Sandhill Cranes pictured in the second pendant are enjoyable to watch on many a morning walk in Central Florida where my parents have wintered for years. There is a species of crane who lives year round down there, or it could be the migratory type, but regardless of which ones they see, this regal bird is symbolic for them. I’m not sure about the significance of the Owl pendant in the photo. In ancient Greece it was symbolic of wisdom. Paying tribute to my mother’s wisdom, I would say, is a smart move on my Dad’s part.

Anyway, thank you for letting me share these gifts of wearable Aurene. I got the idea to send it from some of the Gazette articles focused on using Carder Steuben throughout the home, rather than simply being the caretaker in a lighted display. My parents’ enjoyment of these pieces is frequent. I think every piece of Carder Steuben and clear Steuben deserves to be enjoyed daily.

Many thanks to David Ackerman, the jewelry designer at Gustin’s Gallery in Corning, New York, who brought my father’s ideas to life.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Jennifer Schusler