2010 Ornament Collection

About The Ornaments

The Kate Foundation for Rett Syndrome Research is proud to announce the release of our new glass ornament set for Rett Syndrome research fundraising. These stunning, delicate designs can be comfortably hung on a tree, placed in a stand or displayed inside a bowl or lit display. Hand-blown at Glass Eye Studio in downtown Seattle, each ornament contains volcanic ash from the 1980 eruption of Washington State's Mount St. Helens.

How You Can Help

Last year, the Kate Foundation sold more than 1,600 ornaments to more than 30 states and Britain, raising close to $50,000. With this fresh batch of designs, we hope to surpass that figure and reach buyers in all 50 states. To accomplish this, we need your help. Please share this website and fundraising drive with friends, family and colleagues. Last year, the ornaments were extremely popular among parents and families who often gifted the ornaments to their childrens' teachers, therapists and doctors. Many friends reported the popularity of the pieces at grab bag events and as hostess gifts for holiday parties.

Meanwhile, if you happen to know someone in Hawaii or Wyoming who might like to buy an ornament, please let us know.

About Seattle's Glass Eye Studio

The Glass Eye Studio design approach is "Teamwork." Our team strives for innovative, affordable and leading-edge glass design. We incorporate the visions of our customers, designers, sales staff and glass blowers in our approach to design.

Over 60 new products/designs every 6 months are added to the 'line'. We make an intense effort at new product lines resulting from customer feedback and exploration of 'century old' glass forming techniques. The design effort is managed under the direction of Dale Leman.

The Northwest is a great place to design and blow glass. Cool temperatures moderate the tremendous heat produced when working glass. Artists recognize the benefit of our climate and have moved in mass to the Seattle area. This combined with the draw of the Pilchuk Glass School has created a wonderful pool of glass artists with whom we work.

Ornament Inspiration

Our visit to a cathedral with Kate was the inspiration for the ornament idea. Like many girls with Rett Syndrome, Kate loves vibrant colors, music and most anything that lights up. In July 2009, we visited family in Savannah, Georgia and attended mass at the towering Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Soaring music and four-story stained-glass windows mesmerized Kate for a large portion of the service and the ornament idea was born.