It is March, the daffodils are just thinking of poking out of the ground here in Madison, yet at Artful Home we are thinking Christmas. Christmas ornaments, to be specific. Somewhat unbelievably, it is the time of year when we solicit artists for ornaments for our Holiday collection, and jury from the hundreds and hundreds of submissions. This is a glimpse of what the beginning of the process looks like!

What we look for and how we make our decisions is a combination of art and science—with art always being the leader for us. We really do consider these ornaments to be individual miniature masterpieces—works which must maintain the same artistic integrity, craftsmanship, originality, and quality of all the artwork we sell. But most importantly, each ornament has to knock our socks off!

I met several new artists last month at the Philadelphia Buyer’s Market of American Craft and the American Crafts Council show in Baltimore, and am so pleased that so many of them sent in ornaments. What is most astonishing is the continued originality that artists exhibit, whether in colors, technique, form, or medium. From lampworked glass to hand-beaded figures, precious metal jewelry forms to carved wooden stars, painted ceramics to lifelike butterflies, new artists are bringing a whole new dimension to the 2010 collection.

Arbor Bowl, Blue by Ed Branson

The dinnerware gleams. Just-polished flatware flashes. Linens, shot through with silken threads, call out to be unfolded and spread across well-dressed laps. Assembled serving platters await a bounty of delicious dishes. Perhaps a few of the pieces gracing your holiday table have been made by artists, who add so much imagination and texture to your entertaining.

On this special day, however, you are the artist. You’ve shaken the last wrinkle out of the tablecloth. Straightened the last salad fork. Arranged the last stray bloom. Before the guests arrive, you admire your handiwork, savoring a moment of quiet triumph. More than anything else, it is your centerpiece that elevates the occasion. Rising above the table like a landmark, it reflects your creativity, your generosity of spirit, and your high hopes for the gather to come.

Here are a few ideas to inspire you as you plan your holiday centerpiece.

Blown glass ornaments are too lovely to limit to the Christmas tree. As seen here, paired with Ed Branson’s Arbor Bowl, they make an ethereal addition to a table fit for an elegant New Year’s Eve party.

Check back tomorrow for more ideas for incorporating art onto your table.

Swan Ornament Display
by Bernard Collin

Collections of ornaments add charm, personality, and sparkle to your home. Cleverly displayed in unexpected locations, they can also make entertaining conversation pieces.

For example, you can decorate your staircase with garland hung with ornaments of similar colors or themes.

Or, create a magical focal point in your dining room by using colorful ribbons to hang ornaments at alternating heights from your chandelier—the light from the chandelier will make the ornaments glow.

When used at each place setting, special ornaments can become gifts for your dinner guests after the meal.

Ornaments can also be tied to the top of wrapped gifts and placed on a table or under the tree for a special, festive touch.

You can tuck ornaments into empty nooks in your china cabinet or on your bookshelves to add an unexpected sparkle.

Or, nestle your ornaments in among your favorite art objects, using their colors as inspiration to make a bold statement.

You can even turn an everyday mirror into a dramatic display for your ornaments by hanging them from alternating lengths of ribbon affixed to the mirror’s back. The result will reflect the uniqueness of your artist-made ornaments in a whole new way.

And beautiful art glass ornaments don’t have to be put away after the holidays. Ornament stands, such as the "Single Ornament Display" and "3 Ornament Display" by Julie and Ken Girardini, can be used to showcase your ornaments year round.

Fortune Cookie by Nancy Nagel

Back in July we asked you to submit your favorite fortune for a chance to be featured in one of this year’s artist-made ornaments. We are happy to announce that Sandi B., who submitted her fortune via posting it as a comment on this blog, had the winning fortune.

Sandi submitted the fortune “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious“. Artist Nancy Nagel then incorporated it into the Fortune Cookie ornament (it’s the ornament with the pink fortune inside).

I like to take moments and reflect on Sandi’s fortune. The mystery of life, of friends and loves. The mystery of what inspired an artists to create a celebrated work of art. The mystery of a beautiful day and of what tomorrow will bring.

What a fantastic and unique gift this fortune cookie makes for any time of the year.

Congratulations, Sandi. I hope your fortune brings fortune and inspiration to all who receive it this year.