On June 8  the Forbes Celebrity 100 Event was held at Drai’s Hollywood. The Forbes event was in honor of its Celebrity 100 List – particulatrly to honor these Forbes award winners: Gene Simmons, The Kardashians, and DumbDumb Productions.   Forbes  partnered with Steuben to recognize these celebrities  with a personalized crystal star award, plus a trip for two to celebrity hotspot Los Cabos, Mexico.  This was a first for Forbes to hold an event such as this.

Enterprising Celebrities;  Exceptional Steuben Crystal Forbes Awards

Forbes celebrity entrepreneurship awards that were presented at the event

Lifetime Achievement award – Gene Simmons accepted his sparkling personalized Steuben award for maintaining a successful career in Hollywood.

Start-up of The Year Award – DumbDumb Productions is a viral video advertising agency created by partners Will Arnett and Jason Bateman.  Company backer Ben Silverman accepted the Steuben crystal star, representing Arnett and Bateman

Next Gen Entrepreneur award – Kourtney, Kim and Klhoe Kardashian were awarded for their entrepreneurial spirit and knack for brand-building through a variety of merchandise, retail and entertainment projects.  Klhoe, attending the celebrity event with husband Lamar Odom, accepted the Steuben crystal award personalized with the Kardashians’ names on behalf of her sisters, saying this:

“Having our names even mentioned by Forbes is such an honor! This is one of those moments that I wish my dad was here. He was such an entrepreneur.” –Khloe Kardashian

Drai’s Hollywood Made A Chic Setting for the Forbes Celebrity 100 Event

Over 350 stars gathered for the party at Drai’s Hollywood.  This new hotspot is connected to W Hotel and is located  just under the famous HOLLYWOOD sign at the corner of Hollywood and Vine. While the East Coast had a mini heat wave of 100 humid degrees, perfect weather followed me to the West Coast – it was a comfortable  75-degrees paired with shaded skies.

The hors d’oeuvres were bite-sized burgers, grilled cheese & truffles, a playful compliment to the Skinny Girl margaritas we were sipping. Bethenny Frankel’s newly-launched drink brand earned her the honor of cover story for the Forbes Celebrity 100 list issue, and she sparkled like a crystal star as she said:

“I want to thank Forbes magazine very much.  It is legitimate, it is validating, it is so humbling to me.” –Bethenny Frankel

It was certainly an event fit for a shining star, and great way to congratulate all the 2011 Forbes honorees.

Be well

~ Julia

In the year 1936, gasoline was twenty cents a gallon, Margaret Mitchell’s novel Gone with the Wind was first published and the very first building to be constructed of glass blocks was completed in Toledo, Ohio for the Owens-Illinois Glass Company.

Photo Credit: Story of the Owens-Illinois Glass Company/Muncie City Board of Education Schools

1936 was also the year that Steuben decided to suspend production of its colored crystal.

The decision was made in favor of the public’s preference for Steuben’s designs that were clear, brilliant and reflective.  For the next 75 years or so, the iconic symbol of Steuben has remained their flawless transparent pieces, producing that iconic unparalleled clarity they’ve become known for.

This meant that serious Steuben collectors had to scour auction houses and antique stores to satisfy their appetite for any color glass from Steuben. That is, until now.

The time has come to reintroduce color at Steuben.  And what beautiful, amazing color it is.

Steuben’s glass artisans have hand-blown five of their perennial bestselling crystal bowls and one of their distinctive vases into three shimmering colors. First, there’s the cool hue of Indigo, as shown in this Low-footed crystal glass bowl:

Then there’s the warm shade of Sunset, as represented in this exquisite Trillium Bowl:

And finally, there’s the contemporary neutrality of Smoke, as in this extraordinary Spiral Bowl:

The fact that all of these pieces are hand-blown right here in the US to Steuben’s usual exceptional standards is impressive enough…but the focus for me is in the way the designers chose to retain the classic, clear lack of color in segments of the pieces (primarily the bases)…bringing a whole new dimension to them. By singling out one distinct part, with their handcrafted swirls and dimpled curves, the sparkle-factor just increased exponentially. The assimilation of this beautifully-crafted colored crystal with the ice-like clarity of the clear is truly exquisite.

For me, the pièce de résistance for these pieces is the view from above, which manages to showcase the artistry and creativity involved in the hand-blown creation of this color glass collection. From the swirling movement of the Spiral Bowl to the three-petaled spring wildflower design of the Trillium Bowl, for which it was aptly named.

No matter which design inspires you, the return of color glass to Steuben is cause for much celebration…and will absolutely require some reorganization of my display space.

Check it out…and see if you agree.

Be well

~ Julia

Life is filled with heartfelt moments…from the monumental ones like the birth of a child, to those magical glances shared with that special someone. Love is one of the most powerful of emotions and it’s not meant to be subdued, but to be celebrated. It may seem stereotypical to give heart-themed tokens for Valentine’s Day gifts, but sometimes, nothing else truly captures the depth of emotion in quite the same way.

Of course, combining the sparkling crystal of Steuben with the sentiment of a heart is the best of both worlds to me. The Steuben Be Mine crystal heart is a classic take on the Valentine’s Day Sweetheart conversational candy. It’s timeless…and it conveys the ultimate heartfelt sentiment. I’d like to imagine the recipient of this responding with a smile and something like, “Who else’s would I be?”

The above True Love crystal hearts design is exquisite in its simplicity. It’s as if the designers took one heart and lovingly expanded and lengthened it until they created two seamlessly perfect, heart-shaped ends. Hand- polished to perfection, this piece embodies the conjoining of two hearts as forever one.

The small heart floats delicately within the loving embrace of the larger one, which seems to be suspended in the middle of a gentle rocking motion.  These designers have thought of every nuance of the loving spirit of motherhood with this piece, taking the spirit of love way beyond the holiday of Valentine’s Day itself.

Check out the above crystal Internal Flame…it’s Steuben’s first use of color in over 70 years! Gently resting on its side, the position of this fiery red heart suggests comfort and affection, while the delicate swirl on its tip implies the growth in a relationship over time. A truly unique Valentine’s gift, this is a numbered, limited edition of 300.

And finally, a Valentine’s Day gift (hint, hint) to feed my obsession with hand coolers: the crystal Heart Warmer hand cooler features two hearts nestled together in a swirl of crystal. At the center of each heart is an initial…beautifully etched into the delicate surface of the crystal, symbolizing a loving, lasting union.

If you hadn’t noticed, I have a soft spot for the heart-shaped design. It embodies everything I believe should be at the core of any relationship…because ultimately, it’s all about the love.

Be Well

~ Julia

What happens when two great American iconic brands come together?  History is made.  This happened when Grand AM commissioned Steuben to create the perpetual trophy for the Rolex Sports Car Series.   This new perpetual trophy will be awarded yearly to the overall seasonal points champion.  This adds to an already long list of Steuben crystal trophies commissioned by Grand Am.

A Trophy Designer with 35 Years Behind the Wheel

Eric Hilton, Steuben’s resident designer, thought of racing in a more abstract way than driving around a track numerous times.  Hilton was more interested in delving into the comraderie and teamwork  of the race itself.   Teamwork was Hilton’s main inspiration for being able to speak to the history and excitement of the races.  That and being driven at 170mph in a BMW!  “This is a very complex design,” Hilton said. “We crafted it after consultation with many people involved with Grand-AM. It incorporates a vision of precision and teamwork built into it in an abstract way.”

The Steuben crystal trophy was unveiled at the Daytona International Speedway  in a very special ceremony befitting the award itself.   On January 29th, the award was revealed by Hilton, who has been with Steuben for 35 years, along with Scott Pruett and Max Papis.  The awards ceremony brought the worlds of crystal and racing together.

An Innovative Trophy Design, Crystal Clear

The Rolex Sports Car Series trophy is a coveted award in racing as is any trophy.  Watching the creation of the Steuben Grand AM crystal trophy,  ones sees the detailed process that is part of the making of the piece, from conception to complettion.   So glad I only had to watch it and not make it.  Hilton used cutting edge processes such as water jet cutting.  Even the base is meticulously designed.  The center disc of Steuben crystal features an abract drawing of two teammates embracing  to celebrate their championship.  This unique crystal trophy changes color depending on the light it catches and the angle of the viewer.  The award moves depending on the viewer; abstractly imitating the race itself.  “This is a major sculpture, and it employs the many elements Steuben is heralded for,” said Hilton.  This special trophy Speaks volumes to the history and excitement of the races and I’m excited to see who gets to take this beautiful piece home!

Be Well

~ Julia

Even for the sports-uninitiated like me, the displays of ticket stubs, programs and autographed photos harkened back to a time when athletes overcame what even today seems like insurmountable odds: whether by breaking the color barrier as Jackie Robinson  did in 1947 or when long shots like the Giants won against the Dodgers in 1951. Yes, this event was worth my learning more…for the theme of overcoming adverisity was an apt one. This event benefits the Marty Lyons Foundation’s mission to grant the special wishes of terminally-ill children.

The beverage of choice was Tequila Aviõn and the company included Knicks sports legends John Starks and Herb Williams, as well as sports announcer Bert Sugar.

Collectible Works of Sports Themed Art

Works of art included this painting by illusionist artist Gary Erbe:

Photo Credit: Sports Memorabilia by Gary T. Erbe

This self-taught artist from New Jersey is known for his ability to build up layers of thin color glazes to create the illusion of dimension and depth.

The sparkle in the room, though, radiated from the showcased Steuben crystal bat:

For the ultimate collector of sports merchandise, I can’t imagine anything more stunning than this sparkling bat. Unless, of course, it’s this MLB Baseball Ornament to go along with it:

You have to admit: these pieces combine beautifully with the artistic perspective of this event. But then, I may be a bit biased.

Ultimately, I was struck by the thought that it isn’t only the excitement of winning that is inspirational…but the triumph of the human spirit over insurmountable odds.  Artifacts from America’s history, whether they’re found in the scribbled signature on a photo, the worn ticket stub from a Dodgers game or in the printed program from a monumental Olympic game are testament to the strength of character that’s made this country great. And you can’t put a price on that.

Be well.

~ Julia

So what do you get for that person who has everything? You know who I’m talking about.   They’re difficult, seem to have everything already and you’re never exactly sure what to get them to stay in their good graces.  That’s right! I’m talking about your boss.  I know when it comes around to holiday time, the hubby is always asking me (or assigning me) what to get for his superior.  Luckily just like everything else, I know that I can rely on Steuben.

Slow and Steady Wins

Steuben’s Tortoise crystal wine decanter  is a fabulously unique corporate gift.  I love to gift this beauty because I’m sercretly hoping I’ll be invited over to share a bottle of wine from this wide bottomed ship-like decanter.   That’s probably why I have one in my own collection.  I just couldn’t resist having this in my Steuben collection for parties and any day that ends in “Y.” This beautiful crystal piece allows the wine to breathe and makes the perfect gift – with accompanying wine or not.   With any luck you’ll get your generous gift returned in kind!

A Gift Fitting of a King

“Flawless by design, Steuben is the epitome of the expression ‘crystal clear.’” So why not make it clear just how you feel about that supervisor of yours?  What else could sit atop his or her desk as a symbol of strength but the sword in the stone? The Excalibur is a functional letter opener inside of a paperweight  giving the recipient a feeling of ultimate power each time the sword is retrieved from the stone to open that ever important piece of mail.  If you’re interested in an engraved gift,  Steuben offers personalized engraving.  What better way to personalize such an important gift than with a special message directly on their sword of strength?

Time May be Running Out

I think we’re all looking to receive the gift of time.  What better way to give that gift that in a stunningly luxurious piece of crystal?  This crystal Sculptural Clock will stun whomever is asking just what time it is.  To add that personal touch, this beautiful crystal clock can be engraved with the recipient’s name and a short message as can most pieces from Steuben.   For personalized corporate gifts, it seems Steuben is the way to go.

The question is, is it wrong to have gifts personalized for myself? I don’t think it is!

Be Well

~ Julia

Endangered Animals in Africa Preserved in Crystal

As someone who harbors a deep affection for all animals, I was honored to be able to attend this very special event. On September 28, 2010 Steuben gave several hundred people in New York the opportunity to make a difference half-way around the world by sponsoring a fundraiser for the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and celebrating the release of “The Big 5”; 5 crystal African wildlife figurines.  The endangered species of the Cape Buffalo, Rhinoceros, Elephant, Royal Lion and Leopard were once prized by hunters as kill but now the Five are considered the focus of wildlife Safari tourists to admire and photograph.

The crystal creation of these Steuben pieces have been further immortalized in the African Wildlife Foundation’s printed Fall 2010 issue of the African Geographic.  In the article, Craig Sholley, AWF Vice President for Marketing and Philanthropy is quoted as saying:

“The Steuben glass figurines capture the timelessness of these impressive creatures’ physical being. Such is the power of art – or is that the power of wildlife?”

Art Auction Sponsor for Wildlife Protection

Along with these extraordinary crystal sculptures, Steuben sponsored a Silent Auction of contemporary art donated by 24 outstanding artists to benefit the African Wildlife Foundation.  The one-night-only exhibition celebrated the spirit and beauty of nature in its various forms; from the simplicity of frogs to the majesty of the endangered elephant; from the riotous color of parrots to the quiet camouflage of a lioness in the dry grass. Showcased were the remarkable patterns found in flowers, reptiles and birds as well as the beauty of the people who faithfully coexist with wildlife in their natural habitat.

Artist Reflect on their Photography of Wildlife

Many of the artists attending the function recounted fascinating stories about the creation of their work.  Peter Bogardus, a master printmaker and photograveurist, described how he was photographing a gigantic tree root suspended in mid-air using an antique 8 x 11 box camera (the kind with the black cloth) and out of nowhere arrived a group of children and adults who, as if on some unconscious cue, draped themselves on the root as naturally as if it were some huge hammock.  In one instant, the harmony of man with his space was complete and captured by a vintage camera.  Another photographer, William Coupon, described life among the Pygmies and their vanishing lifestyle.  Some event guests, reminded by a Sheila Metzner portrait of two lionesses,  shared stories about the thrill of first encounters with the endangered big game of Africa and the sheer exhilaration of seeing a lion in its natural habitat.

The Hilton Brothers

Mary McFadden

Gemma Kahng

Veronica Varekova and Russell Simmons

The Future of Endangered Species

The magic of the evening was not limited to the remarkable art exhibition; it was reflected in other examples celebrating the beauty and comfort of wearable art in a customized David Chu shirt or a stunning beaded Valentino shawl.  Guests were living artwork as they intrinsically honored the African tradition of self-ornamentation in dress and jewelry.  One woman wore a vintage Mexican peasant dress acquired through an estate.   The Hilton Brothers (Paul Solberg and Christopher Makos) reflected some whimsy to the occasion in twin stylish orange plaid suits playing off their collaborative black and white photographic diptych of a shimmering horse and a fragile stem of eucalyptus.  The attendance of Mary McFadden and Gemma Kahng, pre-eminent champions of beauty, bestowed a sense of honor to the event and reminded us of the importance of elegance in dress and demeanor.  Russell Simmons’ vocal veganism demonstrates the compassion dedicated to wildlife preservation.  Veronica Verekova, AWF’s Goodwill Ambassador, spoke eloquently on behalf of endangered species that can’t speak for themselves and serves as a gracious ambassador on behalf of the fragile African habitat.

Fragile Like Glass

The sparkling light from a myriad of Steuben crystal sculptures danced off of every surface giving the illusion of a thousand stars floating among the guests.  In one evening, the generosity of the human spirit soared and carried itself halfway around the world to endangered wildlife that in turn, reminds us what it means to be inherently alive.  And the Steuben crystal demonstrates how beautiful and magical but potentially fragile the animal kingdom is unless it is safeguarded and treated with tenderness and respect. It’s a lesson we can all benefit from.Be well~ Julia

This is the finale in a three-part series.  Please check out part 1 of What Makes Steuben So Special with Robert and part 2 of What Makes Steuben So Special with designer Eric Hilton. I’m happy to present my interview with Steuben designer Taf Schaefer below.

Julia: Welcome, Taf. I’m so happy to meet you! Please tell us a little about yourself.

Taf Schaefer: Thank you, Julia. I joined Steuben in 1998 as a designer. My background is working in wood, stone and cast bronze, often combining materials.

I’ve always had the same esthetic alignment as Steuben, so the leap to crystal was an easy one. Here, we have the ability to combine traditional elegance with contemporary lines. If you look at our new crystal stemware, you’ll see that we have a mix of contemporary and traditional…but you look at many of Steuben’s pieces and they’re pretty timeless. Combine that with the clarity of the glass, the precision and the weight of the crystal and you get a feeling that you don’t get with other kinds of glassware that’s out there.

When you get into the sculptural aspect and the ornamental designs, you won’t find anyone else even capable of making say, our crystal animals…which are in a class by themselves. Those types of things are design-driven and always a sculptural counterpoint to our tabletop designs. You can design a whole room around the kinds of things you can find at Steuben…you couldn’t really do that from many other companies. If you look at our selection of sculptures and then you move onto the engravings, that’s a centuries old process and it’s very labor intensive…it’s truly a labor of love. Not only with the designer who designs the shape of the glass, but then the illustrator who puts a design into a line drawing…and then it’s hand engraved into the back of the glass. And so it pops in a way that not many other companies can replicate. There are only certain people that really can engrave in the traditional copper wheel engraving that we do.

I particularly love working with the glass blowers…because you’re right there with the glass. I usually make a model, in clay or wax, so it’s easier for the gaffer (the master glass blowers for those of you, like me, who aren’t familiar with the lingo – Jules) to envision it 3-dimensionally…to actually see the 3-dimensional object, as opposed to a drawing. With a background in sculpting, I’m much more apt to make an object than to try to represent it on paper. As an adjunct for that, the gaffers and the glassblowers really appreciate that because they can get a much fuller sense of the piece itself, as opposed to a couple of sketches. Sculpting is also like a dry run for the actual creation of the product to make sure it’s “makeable”, looking at design and manufacturing all at the same time and leads to greater success of the piece.

Julia:  I can see how passionate you are about this process. It’s fascinating! Can you share some terms, like gaffer, that are exclusive to the glassblowing industry?

Taf: Sure. When something is done “offhand” like the animals, it means it was made at the glory hole, the furnace that holds the molten crystal, with the hot glass. It’s completely made by hand….with that one-on-one manipulation of the glass. The difficult pieces were made easier by the fact that the glassworkers were incredibly generous with their information and their knowledge because we were working together…and I brought them some fun things to do that they hadn’t done as yet.

I’ve created the crystal octopus:

…which, with its eight legs was very difficult to make. I had some engineering help with this, where they found a way to divide the glass into the beginnings of the legs. It started off with a gob (glob of glass) which then was pressed into a metal mold, dividing it into the 8 beginnings of legs. Picture each leg being hand-pulled into shape.

“Bits” on offhand pieces are where you start with a given mass and this is true for the animals as well as a vase or bowl, with feet or handles on it. All those added parts are bits….anything that’s added to the general mass of the glass. Like this cockatoo:

…where there is the body of the bird, the base is a bit…the tail is pulled out…both of the wings are added…the beak is added…the two little eyes are added and then the headdress is added. There are seven parts to that one bird. One of the challenges is that the bit has to go on fairly hot and then it needs to get sculpted, not just stuck on there… but then it gets pulled back out and the joint needs to be just right, in both location and temperature, to keep it solid and to keep it as an integral part of the glass as a whole. Then it needs to take on the personality of the piece. Sometimes you want to see the joint and sometimes you don’t. There’s some spontaneity to seeing the edge of the glass (of the headdress) meeting the head of the bird….and that’s one of the things that we can do really well, where other companies simply cannot. I work the initial design up in clay; picturing how it would be created in crystal…deciding where the bits would be added…and I try to create it full-scale, so I’ve got an idea of how it would look. Then I work with the glassblowers for a four-hour session, (this is called a move…like moving the glass around) and it’s a true collaboration. They’ll measure…and place it on the table, right where the gaffer is working and constantly re-measure with the calibers. It could take an hour to make the first one. For the glassblowers, so much of it is about the heat of the glass and where they cool it off, like if you had one piece…one gob of glass…and you’re trying to pull out, say, the head…of  the cockatoo…where it has to be a little narrower at the neck and then rounded at the top. So, if you just start tugging on a piece of glass that is all the same heat, it’ll just pull in such a uniform direction that you won’t get that neck. So they have a torch to heat things up spot-wise and they also have compressed air to cool things down in a localized area, allowing them to then distend the glass again without pulling on the remainder of the form. You need to prepare for the details ahead of time with shape and heat.

Julia: Taf, this is fascinating! I feel like I’m standing next to you…watching the craftsmen create this incredible design by hand. How difficult is it to be a glass blower?

Taf Schaefer: It takes our glass blowers 7-9 years to go through an apprenticeship program. And then another ten years to become proficient. It’s a commitment of the heart…and a lifetime of work to be able to make the pieces that we make. The engravers also go through a very long apprenticeship program and each piece is engraved by hand. Sometimes it’s almost 100 hours of work for an engraving.

Julia: That’s incredible! That’s over two weeks just to complete one piece.

Taf Schaefer: Yes, if it’s a full engraving. It’s a rarefied atmosphere we live in at Steuben. It’s tradition, it’s design with both contemporary and traditional values for our design process… but each piece is virtually an heirloom. It’s the finest crystal in the world. It has qualities that ordinary glass doesn’t have and those are the things that make it so valuable. Its design, quality and workmanship…those three things. Conveying that in a single photograph can be difficult. Some of the tools haven’t changed in over two thousand years. I kid you not! The process feels almost primeval. You’ve got a lot of heat…you’ve got fire…you’ve got hot glass and a little bit of danger…you’re designing on the fly…and you end up with a beautiful object.

One of the most exciting pieces for me this year is the Bamboo Forest sculpture:

It’s a large piece.  It’s very three-dimensional…measuring 2 ½ to 3 inches deep…each of the bamboo pieces is several inches into the glass. If you go around to the back, those are hollow…they’re negative spaces…it’s a very sculptural piece. I sculpted it using real bamboo…then the leaves were sculpted (enhancing the bamboo shape) and it’s very impressive on a table…with the clear glass against the “grey” (the pearly color).

Julia: Stuben’s involvement with the African Wildlife Federation was the brainchild of Schaefer.

This is Part Two of a three-part series, What Makes Steuben so Special, on the history and creative talent behind the iconic designs of Steuben Crystal. Joining me is Eric Hilton, who has been a Steuben designer for 35 years.

Julia: Welcome, Eric. Can you give us some background into your time with Steuben?

Eric Hilton: Sure. I was originally an art teacher in Scotland and England. Actually, I had a false start with Steuben originally. In 1963, whilst teaching under a fellowship, I wrote a letter to then-design director Paul Schultz and sent along copies of my designs. I was hoping he’d take me on. I received the standard form letter saying they’d keep my designs on file and “thanks for your interest”. Over a decade later, I was teaching ceramics at the State University of New York College of Ceramics at Alfred. My class was working in the kiln, when I noticed a gentleman in the back of the room. When I introduced myself, I discovered it was Tom Buechner, then president of Steuben Glass.

He’d seen my work in the Heller Gallery in Manhattan and wanted me to design for Steuben. He and Paul Schultz took me to lunch and I wound up agreeing to draw up 25 designs for them to choose from. One of the designs that Tom ultimately chose was Innerland…which wound up being one of the most ambitious fine crystal pieces ever created at Steuben:

Featuring a modular crystal landscape comprised of many small, painstakingly engraved and sandblasted cubes, it expresses the concept of the abstract journey of life and required more than four years to complete. (It’s now featured in the Masterworks Collection at Corning.)

Julia: It’s so intricate! I’ve never seen anything like it. I feel like you were meant to design for Steuben. Too many coincidences to contemplate. What else can you share about those earlier days?

Eric Hilton: I’ve always believed that art is about changing you. We are honed over time…we see something and it affects how we see the world going forward. Life is perpetually in motion. I can remember being sent on trips with other Steuben designers…to various locations…to bring inspiration and to discuss design. Ultimately, I feel that research and development are vital to the successful design of any piece. This especially holds true for one of my latest pieces- the Grand Am crystal trophy:

This was a one-of-a-kind fine crystal sculpture to celebrate the Daytona Prototype Champions. It’s a very complex design, incorporating a vision of precision and teamwork built into it in an abstract way. This is a major sculpture and employs many of the elements Steuben is known for. On a personal note, I got to ride in a BMW at 170 mph that day! Definitely a memorable experience.

Julia: Wow. I’ll bet 55mph now feels like you’re standing still. I see you’re also the creative force behind the Steuben Honeycomb pattern, as evidenced by this incredible piece of yours:

Eric Hilton: Yes…thank you. It’s an honor to have my designs enjoyed by celebrities such as Paul McCartney, installed in iconic locations such as Rockefeller Center and gifted to royal families.

Julia: Incredible pieces, Eric. What an amazing talent you have! I also know you’ve recently designed the Internal Flame Heart for Steuben, launching their first use of color in over 75 years. What a wonderful contribution to your already-outstanding creative career:

It was an honor interviewing this great man. It was an amazing interview with a remarkable Steuben designer. Stay tuned for part three, the final segment in our three-part series on Setting the Bar: What Makes Steuben Crystal Glass So Special, where I’ll interview the designer Taf Schaefer.

Till then

~ Julia

Julia: Robert. Thank you for joining us today.

Robert: (Smiles) No problem, Jules.

Julia: So?? When was Steuben founded?

Robert: Steuben was founded in 1903 by Frederick Carder, an English glassmaker and chemist who had an artist’s vision to create the most remarkable fine crystal in the world. Steuben is named after Steuben County in upstate New York, which in turn was named after Baron von Steuben, a Revolutionary War hero who assisted in the training of American troops with George Washington at Valley Forge.

Julia: Wow. How did I not know this?

Robert: You never asked.

Julia: Do go on.

Robert: …which is known as the southern gateway to the Finger Lakes Region of Central New York. It’s beautiful up there…and I highly recommend a visit. Frederick Carder was one of the preeminent designers of colored glass and is known for creating Intarsia glass, which was extremely difficult to produce. It incorporated a delicate trellis or floral pattern of colored glass between two clear crystal layers.

Until 1933, Steuben had primarily manufactured only colored glass. However, that was about to change . Steuben chemists had been trying to achieve the formula for an optical glass that would transmit, instead of absorb, ultraviolet light. By the following spring, chemists had unveiled an exceptional glass of extremely high refractive quality, permitting the whole spectrum of a light wave to pass through. This was accomplished by removing from the glass batch most of the iron impurities responsible for trapping ultraviolet light.  Never before had there been a crystal so pure…with the end product so extraordinary. But that’s only a fraction of what makes Steuben crystal special.

Jules, I think  you should  interview two of our Steuben designers to really understand what goes in to creating our designs. First up should be designer Eric Hilton who has been with Steuben for 35 years. Then I’ll set you up with another designer Taf Schaefer, who’s the creative force behind many of your favorite pieces. Their collective creative vision represents a unique collection of some of the most exceptional crystal pieces in our history.

Stay tuned for part two of What Makes Steuben So Special, a fascinating look back…and ever towards the future…of Steuben.

Till then

~ Julia