Glassblower in Los Angeles?

May 9, 2007 4:23 PM

Can anyone recommend a glassblower around Los Angeles CA to do a small job? I'd like to get some custom-made wineglasses.

Years ago, I bought for a friend six Chiasso wineglasses that had spiral stems. After moving around the country 4 times, she broke the last one this past winter. I was hoping to get another set from Chiasso for her birthday but sadly they're no longer made. I've done a google search for similar products but they're not right. All my results have turned up spiral stems that are too tight (think corkscrew) or ones that include a straight stem in the center. For what I want, the spirals are loose enough for fingertips to rest inside the curves, making them a somewhat ergonomic.

So it seems that I'll need to go the custom-made route. Anyone have any recommendations? Hopefully close to Pasadena, CA?

Thanks

posted by Cog to Grab Bag (4 answers total)

Sawdust festival often has a glassblower "performing" and many other artisans displaying their blown glass. Might be a good place to make a contact, plus, you can check out the artisan's other goods before hiring her.
posted by arnicae at 5:48 PM on May 9, 2007

Call Pacific Art Glass and ask them. They are one of the biggest art glass suppliers in LA county, they should be able to hook you up with a local glass blower.
posted by FuzzyVerde at 8:48 PM on May 9, 2007

Bit of a trek for you, but it's my school so I have to put in a plug for the UCSD Crafts Center. There are some extremely talented glassblowers working there and I'm sure you could commission this from one of them. If not, they would definitely know a dozen small studios in the area and maybe even up in LA. The glassblowing community, from my meager experience, seems relatively small and close-knit. I am sure word gets around about a talented artist who takes commissions.
posted by crinklebat at 1:23 AM on May 10, 2007

Just saw some impressive glassblowing at the Renaissance Faire in Irwindale last weekend. It's running for another two weekends - a good chance to find a glassblower and play dress up at the same time!
posted by platinum at 9:55 AM on May 10, 2007