What the heck is a buckeye, afterall???

Most people are aware that Ohio is the Buckeye State. There isn't a football fan in the U.S. who doesn't know of the Ohio State Buckeyes or the VERY dedicated (might I say, obsessed) fans! So, what's so special about buckeyes, you ask? Well, here's a little history for you:

-This goes all the way back to the presidential election of 1840, when Ohio resident William Henry Harrison won the presidency. A log cabin decorated with raccoon skins and a string of buckeyes became the symbol of Harrison's campaign.

-In 1953, the Ohio legislature designated the Ohio Buckeye as Ohio's official state tree, thus providing Ohioans with their principle nickname - the Buckeyes. The name came from the native Americans who noticed that the glossy, chestnut brown seeds with the lighter circular "eye" looked very similar to the eye of a buck (male) deer.

-Early travelers carried the rare buckeye to the east with them and reported its medicinal properties. The nut was believed to help with spinal treatments.

-The nut of the buckeye tree is also considered to be a good luck charm and also a relief for rheumatism pain if you carry it in your pocket. Go ahead, carry it and let me know if it works for you! LOL!

And probably the MOST important fact:

-Never, I mean never, enter the Ohio Stadium for an Ohio State football game without wearing a buckeye necklace!!!

So, in honor of all us nuts and die-hard fans, here's a rendition of a buckeye done with my fused glass. You definately won't find these growing on trees!