Hi Sarah,

welcome! We are happy to have novice collectors "lurking about" as you will learn a lot on this board. I've been collecting glass for years & I'm still learning!
Sorry to hear you passed up on a hand vase....they are "interesting" as you say, & maybe not to everyone's taste, but I'm mad about them & want to raise their profile a bit. They were made by so many makers & in so many styles that there is something for everyone.
And next time you see on a hand vase, buy it!

(Just don't bid against me on Ebay,though!

)