Best Hand-Blown Glass Decorations In OC
Glass is a delicate art material. There is a fragility and beauty that master glass blowers and artists are able to achieve. Some artists choose abstract shapes and designs, while others are drawn to creating more practical pieces such as lighting and chandeliers, glassware, platters and jewelry. Here are the best galleries and artists in Orange County.
John Barber Glass Designs
21062 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-1464
johnbarberglassdesigns.com
An apprentice of German master artist Erwin Eisch, John Barber received hands-on studio experience working in the basement of the Eisch glass factory and eventually sitting along the artist's bend side by side. For the last 30 years Barber has operated one of Southern California's first privately owned glass-blowing studios while creating beautiful glass work focusing on the Art Nouveau period. Barber's tumblers, sawdust bowls and clams are beautiful pieces for entertaining. His vases, hanging vases and garden ornaments are complemented by nature. Clients and art patrons appreciate Barber's custom made chandeliers and commissioned sculptures.
CJK Blown Glass
Upland, CA
(909) 949-0608
cjkblownglass.com
Charlie Keeling, a local OC artist known for his hand glass blowing live demonstrations at Knott's Berry Farm, chose to study full-time and explore the art of glass blowing at Cal State University Fullerton in 1995. Always interested in traditional Japanese Raku pottery, contemporary sculpture and movements in art such as Art Nouveau and the American Crafts, Keeling's passion enabled him to achieve both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees. Keeling's contemporary pieces can be found by contacting him directly at the Historical Glass Museum in Redlands, at the Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana, and during the Christmas season at Knott's Berry Farm.
Bruce Feund
(949) 306-3955
brucefreund.com
Local artist Bruce Freund is known for his unique glass pieces collected by celebrities including Barbara Steisand, Madonna, Jennifer Beals, Cher, Elizabeth Taylor and Chong Martin. Freund pushes the boundaries by creating fire and sand evolving into intrinsic pieces of art. His freehand blowing techniques combined with artistic methods and tools of the past culminate into glass sculpted lighting, paperweights, perfume bottles, vases, plates and so much more. Freund studied art locally by attending Fullerton College, UC Irvine and Cal State University Fullerton.
Chemers Gallery
17300 Seventeenth St., Suite G
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 731-5432
www.chemersgallery.com
Chemers Gallery is a home to a broad range of art mediums and styles. Its contemporary crafts area features glass artisan goods along with jewelry, ceramics, fiber and wood pieces. Shoppers will find fused glass work by eco luxury glass artist Mira Woodworth (wine bowls, platters, trays and jewelry), hand blown hearts by Robert Held, a collection of sculptures, spheres and bowls from the team Hokanson Dix. Chemers Gallery is also known for its original children's book illustrations.
Stone & Glass
1285 Simpson Way
Escondido, CA 92029
(760) 294-7447
stoneandglass.com/artist
For statement art pieces, a visit to James Stone's hot class studio is exactly where you need to be. Described as an ocean conservation mixed media sculpture artist, Stone has earned local and professional accolades including first place and best of show in the 2014 Orange County Fair's visual arts competition. His love for the sea coupled with his passion about the environment drives his artistry. He creates marine-themed sculptures made of aluminum and glass utilizing the unique process of casting glass from the furnace directly into the sculpted metal. In addition, fans of James Stone appreciate his practicality by obtaining handmade blown glass pilsners, shot glasses and footed beer glasses.
Christopher Jeffries
Laguna Beach, CA
(949) 228-7898
jeffriesglass.com
Master craftsman and glass artist Christopher Jeffries creates some of the most beautiful compositions in Southern California. Jeffries spent years working, learning and apprenticing with Igor Muller in the Czech Republic, which is known for traditional hand blown glass art. Today, as he creates from Laguna Beach, Jeffries' installations are contemporary and inventive such as his rock wall inspired by the No Cal Russian River bed rocks. How he works the wheel to cut vases and urns along with his amazing hand sculpted pieces is about pure dedication as a glassblowing artist.
Related: Best Art Classes For Kids In OC
