-

-
Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

How Tacomans Know it's December

A few years ago, something caused the S in Tacoma Self Storage's neon sign to stop glowing in December.  The owners have decided to make it a tradition and now this lighted sign that can be seen from the freeway coming into or out of town changes to Tacoma Elf Storage during December.   Interesting as one would think this would be the busy season for elves, not a time to store them away but what do I know?
 


Here's a much better picture than mine and a humorous take on Tacoma Elf Storage. http://www.theviewfromrighthere.com/blog/?p=5642


You can also tell it's close to Christmas when glass fusers are busy making gorgeous glass snowflakes like these by Sandy Rose, a wonderful glass crafter.

Sandy took a fused snowflake class at Mandarin Stained Glass and came up with these fabulous color combinations that look wonderful on Lani Neil's designs!

14 comments:

  1. Those snowflakes are gorgeous, I thought you had shown them before so I searched back through your posts from last December and found the beautiful paper snowflakes.

    Cute, Tacoma is closer to the North Pole than Florida in case Santa needs them in the off season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did show a few that I made last year which were much simpler than these. http://outlawgarden.blogspot.com/2013/01/wheres-snow.html I love the designs that Lani came up with!

      I understand that Santa has a whole string of these storage facilities across the country but only those who truly believe can see the elf in self storage. This makes sense because the population has grown exponentially and Santa's workshop can only hold so many toys and elves.

      Delete
  2. The snowflakes are so beautiful! I've never seen anything like that for sale in shops, I wonder where one would buy them? Love the elf storage, I didn't know that. It must be where elves store toys so they don't have to keep going back to the North Pole to restock.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have to take a snowflake fusing class and make them yourself. I'll ask at the shop if anyone wants to make them to sell.

      Yes, the elves need more space than the old single facility at the North Pole. Like many world wide endeavors, Santa now must have regional distribution centers around the world.

      Delete
    2. Lani Neil sells fused glass snowflakes on etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoCo?page=1

      Delete
  3. Love the sign and that it's turned into a tradition.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's always fun to see the sign change when the commute is in the dark.

      Delete
  4. I remember the Elf Storage place! Fun that its a tradition! I want one of those... ok Lots of those snowflakes... Yes, I should just go learn how to do it myself since I have always wanted to work with glass... but will I? No, just keep chipping at my wood... lol at least when I Fail ... it is kindling! Btw... I am Sure that pic is of you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elf storage is alive and well! Your wood carving is absolutely gorgeous! I admired your pictures of it on your facebook page. You'd love glass fusing, it's so much faster than carving!

      Delete
  5. Clever idea! And some of those glass snowflakes, in isolation can be used as an all year round ornament.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right, they're lovely hanging in a window with sunlight streaming through them.

      Delete
  6. The White Stag Portland lighted sign gets a red nose about this time every year. It's become a matter of great civic pride.
    I left a kinda grumpy comment on your poinsettia post and it was rejected. Guess that is some sort of sign.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cool about the White Stag sign! Weird about your comment.. I didn't reject it as I revel in grumpy comments. I'll go looking in my spam folder to see if it got sent there. Sorry about that.

      Delete
    2. I didn't think it was you, but the garden gods who insist that gardeners be kind.

      Delete

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.