The other day, whilst scrolling/avoiding the mountain of work and life shit that just keeps piling up no matter what I do, Instagram did a rare and glorious thing: showed me the profile for a shop I was actually interested in! Wonders never cease. Ever since, when I need to look at something cute to lift my mood (which, given *gestures broadly*, is happening quite often), I find myself browsing the amazing art of HiddenHouses. Focusing mainly on stained glass, Savannah Kristof, the artist/owner of the shop, creates some truly adorable pieces. My mother used to do stained glass, so it always holds a special place in my heart when I see truly unique, wonderful pieces of stained glass art. For example:
I know how much work goes into each piece of stained glass, so trust me when I say: No, her pieces are not cheap, but holy shit, they are worth it. Also, glass is expensive, especially textured glass. Look at those eyes! This owl has an expression. This is just impressive and beautiful, and if it were hanging in a window in my house, I think I would cry every time I looked at it.
Are you fucking kiDDING ME?! The whiskers. The cowboy hat! The bolo tie!! LOOK AT THE LITTLE TEETH!!! Help, I’m dying at how perfect this little dude is. I can practically hear its high-pitched scream, but that could also just be me hearing my own inner thoughts. Either way!
I cannot get over the collar, the wizard hat, and the whiskers (and ear hair!). My birthday is in April; if you’d like to get me a present, I would accept Trinket the Fox without question, even if I don’t know you personally. If larger stained glass pieces aren’t in your budget (and we totally relate), Savannah also makes smaller stained glass charms, like so:
She also makes more than just stained glass! Savannah translates her art into acrylic charms and earrings, enamel pins, art prints, stickers, and (possibly my favorite thing) tiny polymer clay animal figurines.
Heads up, though: Her pieces sell out extremely quickly, and we can understand why. To see upcoming pieces and get updates on when they will be arriving in the shop, you should absolutely follow her Instagram.
If nothing else, it’s a beautiful page to scroll through when your anxiety skyrockets due to the rancid hellscape we find ourselves living through now. Distract your brain with shiny and cute handmade objects from a woman-owned small business, hooray! Also, If you happen to live in the Chicago area, you can take stained glass classes with Savannah. Please let us know if you do so, we can live vicariously through you.
All images via HiddenHouses.
