“Iridescent Nation” is a club for Carnival Glass collectors between the ages of 1-18. Established in 2003 as the "Sunshine Club," Iridescent Nation helps young collectors discover and learn about Carnival Glass, pressed glass with lustrous, rainbow-like colors (called iridescence).
Iridescent Nation strengthens our Carnival Glass community by nurturing and educating young collectors, celebrating our hobby, and promoting the future of Carnival Glass via a new generation of collectors.
Dolores started collecting carnival glass in the 1960’s. Her first piece was a marigold Imperial Star Medallion milk pitcher given to her by her mother. She collected Fenton Dragon and Lotus, Northwood Good Luck, milk pitchers, water pitchers, and creamers. In the early years of her collecting she developed a love of wine sets made by American manufacturers. In the last few years her focus changed to wine and cordial sets made by non-U.S. makers.
She was a fierce advocate for promoting collecting carnival glass to future generations. In 2002, she came up with the idea of a carnival glass club for young collectors. In 2003 the Sunshine Club was formed as part of the Sunshine State Carnival Glass Association (SSCGA). In 2012 the name was changed to Iridescent Nation and now, 15 years later, it is still going strong with 58 active members ages 18 and under, and more than 200 alumni. Please see the video above.
Please visit the “Member Glass Spotlight” page to see photos of our members' Carnival Glass pieces. Members are encouraged to submit additional photos of their Carnival Glass for the “Member Glass Spotlight” page. Any personally identifiable information (a photo caption with your name or if your photo is of you holding your glass) will require permission from your parents. Please contact the editor for a permission form for your parents to fill out and instructions on how to submit your photos.
The Iridescent Nation quarterly newsletter is filled with educational Carnival Glass articles for young collectors. Our website's NEW featured articles page will share some of the ones that we hope will encourage new collectors to embrace our hobby. For access to all of the interesting and educational articles in our newsletter please visit our Newsletter page and become a member today! Click here
As 2023 comes to an end we wish to thank everyone who sponsored a member (new or renewing) for 2023. We know that without your support many of our young members would not be experiencing the joy of collecting carnival glass. THANK YOU!
A BIG THANKS to the Carnival Glass Clubs and individuals who donated glass, books, and dollars to Iridescent Nation in 2023.
If you would like to donate to our club click here. We appreciate YOU!
Membership in Iridescent Nation is just $10.00 (US) per person per year. Club members receive a free piece of glass every year, a quarterly newsletter, and a binder for the newsletters, special forms, articles, and other information that we occasionally send them.
Are you looking for a special gift for a young collector? Give them a membership to Iridescent Nation, the gift that keeps on giving! Click here to learn more
The quarterly newsletter is a benefit of membership. Click here to the see a sample issue of the newsletter and an index of Issues 1-36. An archive of all published issues, beginning with the first issue in March, 2004, is available to members. Article submissions encouraged! Email the newsletter editor: editor.iridescentnation@gmail.com
Click here to learn more about carnival glass education and carnival glass clubs in your area.