It’s the second weekend of Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village, and starting tonight (for this weekend only), our Pottery Shop will be firing its outdoor wood kiln!

The wood kiln gives the potters an even better chance to express themselves artistically, as the pieces they create aren’t part of the regular production.

This is one of only a few times the wood kiln is fired each year, and the only time we’re open during the evening for guests to see it being fired, which always happens at night. It’s a pretty dramatic sight to see the giant flames shooting out from the top of the kiln into the cold winter night air!

If you want to see it tonight, come by around 7 or 7:30 p.m. to see the process being started; then, the really big flames will be stoked and on display tomorrow night before the fireworks begin at 10 p.m.

In the midst of your Holiday Nights revelry, be sure to sneak away from Main Street and stop in the Liberty Craftworks district to see and learn about the kiln – and don’t forget that the Glass Shop is also open, with our glass candy canes and other pieces being shaped from the molten glass, right before your eyes.

What are some of the other hidden treasures of Holiday Nights that you’ve discovered?

Why, yes…yes, it is!

The mere sight of this unique ornament is bound to pique the interest of anyone who sees it adorning your Christmas tree…but besides being a conversation-starter, there is more to the story.

According to popular legend, the pickle ornament is the last ornament hung on the tree, and the first child to find it on Christmas morning will receive an extra gift from the beloved Santa Claus.

There are actually several other versions of the pickle legend, with different prizes or special Christmas privileges (like opening the first present, or having a seat of honor at the dinner table that night) bestowed upon its finder – but the true goal of this tradition is to foster family values, create cherished memories, bridge generations and allow ourselves to connect to the past.

Today, our glass artisans in Greenfield Village carefully create the pickle ornament so that you can take it home and make it part of your own family traditions – however you choose to interpret the legend!

Do any of your ornaments have a special history for your family? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook wall!

This is a guest post by Glass Shop artisan, Marc VandenBerg.

New this year at The Henry Ford’s Glass Shop, we’ve been creating Murrini vases. A much more involved process compared to daily production. “Murrini” refers to pulled cane, when cut the cross section reveals either a picture or pattern. Historically, glassmakers created geometric patterns, similar in our product, or even detailed portraits of noblemen and scenes depicting places such as the canals of Venice.

The multiple-step process, spread over several days begins by layering different colors of glass, once squared in shape, stretched vertically and placed into the annealler (a cool-down oven). Slowly cooling the cane through the annealing process allows the glassmaker to cut 1/4″ slices without the cane shattering. Slices are then arranged into a mosaic, heated and rolled onto the exterior of a crystal bubble. The piece is blown, shaped into form and once finished place into the annealed to slowly cool. The final step involves coldworking the surface, achieving a satin finish.

We invite you to experience the teamwork, skill and passion we glassblowers demonstrate every day in the Glass Shop – and when we start the Murrini glass process, we’ll let you know so you can check it out. Also, while you’re at the village, stop in the Liberty Craftworks store to see all the handmade glass we create – which are all available for purchase.