Clara Driscoll and her TIffany Girls

 Louis Tiffany didn't create the Tiffany lamps - Clara Driscoll did. Of course, because she's a woman, she wasn't given the credit for it. As time marched on, her contribution was forgotten until letters to her family were discovered. Now she's getting the recognition she deserves.

Here are a few books

For the kids:

Clara was an artist who led a team of 35 women to create works of art with glass for Tiffany. She used her love of flowers to create amazing lamps. 

This book has creations of the lamps within the illustrations

Clara lived in the country, but moved to the city for help earn money for her family. She missed the flowers and nature. They inspired her to create a work of art with the amazingly colored glass. She made lamps that were so beautiful. 

*Book sent for review

** Book is published on June 24 

And for adults:

I'm currently reading this one. And it's charming. Clara isn't the main character, but she is in the book. The main character is an artist who is a New Woman (meaning a feminist.) Flossie goes to work and moves away from home because she wants to keep the money she's earned instead of giving it to her father. She brings light to the boarding house - before they were all separate, but now they mingle together.

A beautiful lamp:

* Peony Table Lamp, c. 1902–10. Clara Wolcott Driscoll (American, 1861–1944), Tiffany Studios (America, New York, 1902–1932).

I love how Clara is getting her recognition - better late than ever. And her lamps are gorgeous! 

Picture Book Biographies

Just a few picture biographies that I enjoyed:

José Andres uses his love for cooking and sharing food with the world. He first learned out to become a chef. When disaster strikes around the world, he and his non-profit are there to help. They use volunteers to help and make a huge difference. 

* I first learned about World Central Kitchen from Selena + Chef

Jeanne Power lived on an island and the sea made her mind come alive. She decided to study the sea and its creatures even though women weren't allowed to be scientists. She created aquariums to study creatures - but her favorite creature to observe was the paper nautilus. Her findings were significant and groundbreaking. The illustrations are lovely.

If you're a cook or baker and you measure ingredients preciously - you have Fannie Farmer to thank. She took recipes that had been handed down from generations and confirmed the ratio of ingredients. She became a teacher and a principal of a school in Boston. She taught many women how to cook and produced a cookbook, which is still in print. 

This was a fascinating story. 

Clara Driscoll worked for Tiffany Glass Company - she was in charge of the Women's Glass Company. They created flower pieces of glass for the windows. She loved nature and sketched several ideas - including new ideas for lamps. The women's team took on jobs that the men turned down. They had a competition between then. This was a fascinating read!