Nancy and I are both sad that our time in Venice is coming to an end and looking forward to taking the many ideas we’ve gathered here, home to try and create.  We’re trying to squeeze in all our “want to dos” as well as still being surprised by the beauty and creativity around every corner.

Today, one of our “want to dos” was to ride a traghetto.  Gondola rides are very expensive.  We decided we’d rather spend our money on other things.   A traghetto ride is a gondola ride across the Grande Canal.  It takes about 5 minutes, but only costs 1e each.  We were quite happy with that bargain as opposed to the 80e or so it would have cost for a gondola ride.

I took one of my favorite pictures of Venice from the water level view of the traghetto.  I think it’s probably every bit as much fun to watch the people taking the gondola rides as it is to take them yourself.  Wave at them from the bridges as they pass under. 

The major reason Nancy and I came to Venice was for inspiration and ideas when we are making our beads and jewelry.  I haven’t really shown you many pictures of the artsy things we’ve seen here.  So, I thought I’d give you a taste of what you might see in Venice!

It’s not unusual to see students carrying canvases, portfolios and other art projects.  This was a group just outside our square.  We met another woman on our way to Burano who had her paints with her and was travelling with an artist’s group.

Murano glass is one of the major industries here.  I thought you might like to see some.

Murrini (the small slices of glass rods) are surrounded by a gilded frame.  You see a lot of gilding here, so it makes sense that you see shops where it’s done.  Another of those “only in Venice” experiences.

The art and creativity here are amazing!  We’ve seen art in drawing, painting and printmaking, leather, gilding, glass, mask making, costuming, marbleized paper, mosaics, ceramics, and others I just can’t remember right now.  When I get home and remember all that I’ve seen, I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about Venice and it’s artists.

We’re starting the countdown…finishing up food, figuring out what clothes are clean and trying to fit everything into our suitcases.  Two more days to absorb Venice!