Happy November!  We are officially kicking off our membership renewal drive for 2025.  Please support the Carder Steuben Glass Association by renewing your membership (or, of course, joining for the first time).

Club membership dues are the main source of funding that enables us to keep the website active, bring the Gazelle Gazettes to your inbox, and support our organization’s mission to encourage the knowledge, appreciation, and love of Steuben glass.  We couldn’t do all of this without the support of our association members.

The dues of $35 for one person, or $55 for a two-person household will keep you as active members through December 31, 2025.  It’s easy to renew online by visiting the CSGA website here.  Please take a moment and renew your membership today!  (And thanks to all of you who have already renewed your memberships.)

At this year’s Symposium, we heard from experts on two topics that face all glass collectors — photographing and taking care of glass objects.

Andy Fortune is the CMoG Collections Department Photography Manager and he gave an informative talk about photographing your glass.  Andy has been challenged with photographing many difficult pieces of glass.  Lighting glass for photography requires an understanding of how this unique material transmits, refracts, reflects, and distorts light.  Andy showed how various photographic setups and approaches can be taken rather than merely lighting an object directly. It was interesting to see his step-by-step approach of adding or reducing light to different parts of an object.  His presentation demonstrated how simple materials can be used to add light through reflection to improve capturing a good image of a glass object — including do-it-yourself and inexpensive solutions.

Steve Koob, Chief Conservator Emeritus, has had a long career in the cleaning and care of glass objects. He also has had the responsibility to repair and re-repair broken objects.  Steve’s presentation highlighted some of the many challenges when conserving glass at CMoG and offered a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on.  He shared many of the materials and techniques to best repair a broken piece of glass and bring it “back to life.”  Steve also told us how and when to wash glass at home, which we all were interested in learning.

Both of these presentations will be available on the CSGA website in the near future.

• The CSGA will be setting up a display and a website demonstration at the 2024 Eastern National Antique Show November 22nd & 23rd, at the Carlisle Expo Center, Carlisle, PA.  There will be 55 dealers from 20 states selling fine glass, china, jewelry, and collectibles (in addition to 10 exhibits by glass clubs and museums). This is one of the best shows around for glass.  If you’re able to come, please stop by to see our Steuben exhibit!
• On November 21, Cottone Auctions has an auction featuring Steuben glass from the collection of Dr. Barbara Iglewski, one of our former club members.  There are several beautiful pieces including decorated Aurenes, Tyrian, acid cutbacks, and much more.