As many of you know, I absolutely love making fused glass hearts—almost as much as I love giving them as gifts. There’s just something special about sharing a little piece of handmade art that comes straight from the heart (pun intended!). When I retired from my position at the MDA, I wanted to leave a small but meaningful thank-you with those who truly made an impact on me. So, I gifted several of my fused glass hearts to colleagues and friends who meant a lot to me. Here are just a few of those pieces—each one made with care, color, and gratitude.
Although I’ve only been at NORTHCOM for a few months, I recently said goodbye to a co-worker who made a big impact in a short time. Scott was incredibly helpful as I settled into my new role, and I wanted to thank him in a way that was personal and meaningful. Scott served our country for 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, so I created a red, white, and blue fused glass heart just for him. I added an Air Force chevron decal to represent not only his dedication to service, but also our shared love for this country and our time in uniform. Along with the heart, I gifted him a beautiful Air Force-themed glass dish that I’d been holding onto for the right person. The moment he announced he was leaving, I knew—that dish was meant for him.
Thank you, Scott, for your service, and for the support and kindness you showed me. I’m grateful our paths crossed.
In addition to Scott’s gift, I felt inspired to create a few more patriotic fused glass hearts—each one a small tribute to the country I love so deeply. As a proud Air Force veteran with 22 years of service, I carry that love of country into my art. These red, white, and blue hearts are my way of honoring our military, our veterans, and the values we hold dear.
God Bless America, and God Bless our troops—past, present, and future.
Of course, I couldn’t stop there—I also made more fused glass hearts, and aren’t they just beautiful? I truly wish the photos could capture the full depth, sparkle, and texture these hearts have in person. Each one is its own little work of art, full of color, light, and meaning. While I love them all, I have to admit that two of my favorites feature whimsical decals—one with an adorable cat and the other with a graceful mermaid. They just make me smile every time I look at them!
Fused glass hearts are more than just pretty pieces—they’re symbols of love, gratitude, and connection. Whether I’m gifting them to friends, honoring a fellow veteran, or simply creating for the joy of it, each heart carries a little piece of my spirit. I hope they bring a smile to your face, just as they did to mine while making them. If you’re ever interested in one of my hearts—or would like to create your own in a private class—I’d love to hear from you. Until then, keep spreading kindness, creativity, and a little sparkle wherever you go. ❤️
If you would like to see more of my fused glass work, please refer to my website Elegant Fused Glass by Karen. If you get a chance, check out all my site and my Elegant Fused Glass by Karen YouTube. If you would like to stay abreast of what I’m up-to check out our newsletter. If you’d like to take a class, please check out the information on my site about my classes. It is published the last day of each month.
Keeping my kiln warm,
Karen
