The Miracle Dreidel

This marks the 100th Fog Blog post!  My how time does fly.  I've got something special for you today.  It is still technically a concept piece, but it looks like it just might be ready for prime time very soon.  This menorah is a combo piece with a unique dreidel built in.  At first glance it is just a nice looking dreidel made from embossed copper and glass.  Give it a quick spin, though, and it transforms into an oil jar, representing the miracle of Hanukkah!

(You can even hear Gary answering the phone in the background!)

"Kensington Artist Staging Fundraiser for Arts Education"

Gary is involved in much more than just his sculpture studio and business.  One of his other involvements is Theatre Lab School of Dramatic Arts in DC where he serves on their board of directors.  The Gazette just published a nice article about an important fundraising effort by the school with Gary at the head.  They are currently raising money to fund a scholarship to allow children to attend who would not otherwise be able.

Kensington artist Gary Rosenthal is sponsoring an event May 21 to kick-off a fundraising campaign directed at creating scholarships for at-risk children.
"Theater is just so empowering, especially for young children," Rosenthal said. "I've seen it with my own children and these at-risk kids; it doesn't just teach you about make believe, it teaches you about real life."
He said he hopes to raise at least $55,000 to send more than 100 children disenfranchised by poverty to summer camps hosted by the Theatre Lab School of Dramatic Arts in Washington, D.C.
The Summer Acting Camps for Kids and the Musical Theatre Camp for Kids serves children as old as 13, and aims to introduce children to artistic expression and cultivate their self-confidence.
Rosenthal owns and operates an art studio in Kensington and is a Judaic artist who specializes in combining copper, brass and steel with glass to create pieces. He also is a member of the Theatre Lab's Board of Directors.
Tickets are $75. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 21 at the school, 733 8th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.theatrelab.org or call 202-824-0449.

Custom Award

Did you know we do custom awards?  This recent framed award incorporates a mezuzah into the design.

A Woman of Valor Sculpture

To create this commissioned work we modified a Seder Plate design with branches instead, and added the the poem inscribed on the glass: 

A woman of valor

who can find?

For her price is far above rubies.

Strength and dignity are her clothing;

And she laughs at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom;

And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

Mother's Day 2

Only a few more days until Mother's day, but it's not too late to get a gift if you haven't yet!  Another online store, The Jewish Gift Place, has a top ten gift list and two Gary Rosenthal items made the cut:

Does your mom love to read? If so, the Gary Rosenthal Woman of Valor Marble Bookends would make an exceptional and personal gift. They feature a beautiful picture of a woman of valor on one side, and an inspirational poem on the other. One verse states, “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” What could be more fitting for Mother’s Day? In addition, these bookends by world-renowned artist, Gary Rosenthal, can be personalized with your own heartfelt words.

 Photographic memories are some of our most cherished possessions. Any mother would be proud to display a favorite family photo in the Gary Rosenthal 5x7 Picture Frame with Heart and Glass Bead. The frame itself is a stunning work of art, handcrafted and sculpted from mixed metals and fused glass. An added bonus is that this frame can be personalized with your own message to mom.

Obamenorah - Update

You might remember way back last year we worked with a number of groups across the country to create a menorah for the President.  We had hoped to be able present it personally, but those plans didn't work out.  We did send it off to him in time for Hanukkah though.  It had been a while and we were worried that something had happened to it.  Just yesterday though we got a thank you note from the White House confirming that it was indeed received.  View the completed menorah and the note below.

Glasses for Breaking - New Colors!

Our BG1 wedding glasses for breaking are now available in purple and turquoise in addition to the red, blue, and green.  We had a special request for a purple glass a little while back and Gary liked how it looked so much that he decided to expand our selection!  What do you think?