America the Beautiful Patriotic Paperweight

We create our artwork using 2000-degree molten glass. The glass is either blown or solid sculpted using on a 4’ steel using rod hand tools and a reheating chamber. Visit our YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook page to see our fascinating videos of our artworks coming to life. You will be blown away!

The raw materials for our clear glass are sourced from Spruce Pine Batch in North Carlina and our colored glasses come from two German manufacturers, Kugler and Reichenbach. We also use flat glass from Oceanside. Sometimes, but rarely, we make our own color.

Our batch melts into glass at 2400F. We work the glass between 2400 and 1200 approximately. Ideally, you work the glass as hot as possible without burning it. Yes! Glass can burn, especially colored glasses, which are very sensitive to temperature.

Glass is colored using various minerals and metallic oxides. Copper is one example that, when mixed with different ingredients, can become red, blue, or green.

Glass colors/patterns never fade and are non-toxic to eat or drink with, unlike some ceramics.

NO! Soda Lime glass is formulated to be sensitive to rapid temperature change. It is not safe to put in the dishwasher.

 Glass is stronger than steel, it’s just very brittle. Always pick our artworks up from the center mass, not petals or protrusions. Set it down gently on a hard surface and it will last you a lifetime!

We like to use a solution of 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water in a spray bottle instead of glass cleaner. We also like to use lukewarm tap water and dish soap to handwash artwork small enough to fit in the sink. If it’s a larger artwork we do the same thing but take it into the shower.

We recommend avoiding harsh chemicals when cleaning your glass. It doesn’t need it and the planet will thank you!

The short answer is it depends.

We do make custom pieces. However, there’s also a great deal of custom work we don’t do. If you see something on our website and would like it customized, we’d be happy to talk to you about it.

If you’re looking for something completely different from what you see on our website, we will likely pass, but it never hurts to ask, so send us an email.

We offer exchanges only with prior approval. All of our artworks are handmade. There is a natural variation from piece to piece, with slight changes in color, shape, and size. We do our very best to represent our work as accurately as possible on the website. However, if you are unsure about a purchase please contact the studio beforehand to receive more photos or to have a video conference to see the piece in more detail. We want you to be joyous and happy when you purchase and receive one of our artworks!

If you are giving a gift and aren’t sure what they would like, give one of our gift cards instead!