Kosta Boda is the oldest glass and crystal factory in Sweden that is still in use.  It was founded in 1742 in the forests of southern Sweden in the province of Smaland.  This area is called, "The Kingdom of Crystal" or The Glass Relm.  The glassworks were built in the forests as it supplied the wood needed to make the glass.  The glassworks were originally located in the three Swedish villages of Kosta, Boda, and Afors. The glassblowers originally came from Bohemia (now the Czech Republic).  It took the Swedes decades to learn the art of glass blowing.  Today, Kosta Boda glass is made in the Kosta and Afors Glassworks. Kosta Boda has eleven designers and is known for its use of brilliant color and modern designs.

The arrangements in these Kosta Boda vases and bowls include the following flowers:

• white and fuchsia Phalaenopsis orchids
• Oncidium or "Dancing Lady Orchids"
• leaves from the giant white Bird of Paradise (it is 12 feet tall) in a neighbor's yard
• a Pomegranate from a neighbor's yard
• Passion Fruit flowers and vines from a neighbor's yard
• Fig leaves from a neighbor's yard

Good things to know:

• Kosta Boda is still being made today.
• You can also still find older pieces of Kosta Boda.

• Kosta Boda makes tall vases, bubble bowls, and a variety of small vases that can be used for floral arrangements.

Where to buy it:

• You can shop online at the Kosta Boda outlet store:  http://www.kostaboda.us/shop/list?pt=outlet-store
• You can shop for it on ebay.
• You can shop for it on etsy.
• You can shop for it on Amazon.
• You can find it at Crystal Classics:  http://www.crystalclassics.com/kosta/bodastem.htm
• If you want to get fancy you can find it at retailers like Macy's or Bloomingdale's.
• Or, you can borrow it from your friend like I did.

My Favorite Arrangements: