Joani was researching "factory tours" while in Kansas City, MO, when she learned about the Moon Marble Company (in Bonner Springs, KS, just west of Kansas City). It was not actually a factory tour, they buy marbles in bulk for making games, but they had an artist demonstrate how he made marbles. It was really a glass firing demonstration where he started with a lump of glass and slowly formed it into a perfectly round sphere. In the process, he incorporated color and a swirling vortex to create a little work of art.
In the demonstration room, about 20 people gathered to watch the process of making a glass marble by hand. The young man gave us a running commentary and answered questions as he worked. A video camera and monitor allowed us a closer look at the action.
"Squishy" learned the craft by watching another artist. After a few years and lots of trial and error, he was making and demonstrating his work for the Moon Marble Company.
The store had so many of the classics that we recognized from our childhoods. Spirograph was one of Joani's favorites - she had this when I met her back in 1969!
I'll be needing one of these in 7 or 8 years. Can I wait?
On the way home, we passed another museum Joani wanted to see. It was too late in the day to enter (they were closing in less than an hour) and Joani was happy to just take pictures of the beautiful building.
A mixture of stained glass and metallic tile created a dramatic facade.
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