Happy New Year & Happy Mardi Gras!

2022 was a big year for me- I got married and my wife, Allyson, joined me in business, and together we embarked on quite the journey. We renovated the glass hot shop, found new homes for many of my sculptural pieces, visited internationally renowned glass studios, and transformed our operations center to create a unique gallery and venue space designed to provide greater access to the arts for everyone.

2023 is off to a great start! In January, the studio hosted visiting veteran artist, Marcus Eriksen, who commissioned us to make 10 glass hearts for one of his emotional sculptures, known as the Iraqi Angel. Markus painstakingly welded together 70,000 small steel ball bearings to form the shape of a lifesize soldier, an image burned into his memory from when he was a Marine in Kuwait City in the early nineties. Creating the sculpture helped free the image from his mind. It was incredible to work with him, share stories and teach him about glass as he taught me about the importance of persistence and positive attitudes. After multiple models and many experiments we made some really accurate glass hearts. I’m sure we will continue to collaborate in the future.

As I sit here in this newly remodeled space, I am reminded of the joy this place brings me and how lucky I am to be able to share that with you. I am able to do what I love because of your ongoing support now and over the last 8 years as I learned my way. Thank you! Without you, we would not be able to continue to do what we love. We love making glass and we love making your moments extra special. Cheers!

We are excited to have some new things in the works this year. Expect to see a few more limited release collections of designer glasses. The Winter Wonderland Glass, the first glass from the Winter 2023 Collection was released last week and is inspired by our recent ski trip to Crested Butte for our 1st anniversary. There will also be seasonal collections, including a Mardi Gras Glass featuring purple, green and real 24k gold leaf. Keep an eye out for those and other collections this year.

We also plan to introduce 2 new glass shapes into our lineup later this year. It is very exciting to bring both a stemless wine glass and a stemless champagne flute to you! These glasses will feature the same great thick base that we are known for and be customizable like our existing line of glassware.

And lastly, it has been such a pleasure to meet so many of you as you visit the city. Whether you stop by for a quick tour, peruse our gallery, or join us for molten glass experience, we’re so happy you made it down here. It’s a real joy to share our space and craft with you. If your upcoming travel includes New Orleans, please give us a shout. You won’t be disappointed.

Cheers,

Ben Dombey

Winter Wonderland Glass

Mardi Gras Magic Glass on the Punty in the Hot Shop

Melody and Rocky making a stemless wine glass with support from Ben

New! The Winter Wonderland Glass

A limited edition glass that is part of the Winter 2023 Collection. This glass sparkles like the freshest powder snow on a fresh sunny day. These won’t last long, only 3 remaining.

Mardi Gras Magic is Almost Here!

What’s better than a beautiful and delicious gold liquid in your glass? Blinging real 24k gold leaf embedded into your glass! Celebrate another epic year with the Mardi Gras as we revel in the streets for Carnival, embracing the joys of abundance and excess among friends and family. This glass will bring you back to the colorful streets of New Orleans sparkling with a fresh dusting of Mardi Gras Magic.

Make a Wine Glass with Your Sweetie!

Glassblowing is an exciting and fun way to connect with your partner. Let your creativity flow freely in this 90 minutes couples glassblowing glass and make your very own stemless wine glasses. Sessions booked 2/15-2/23 will receive a free bottle of wine from Faubourg Wines! Use Coupon Code “SWEET” for $50 off the “Make Your Own Stemless Wine Glass” Hands-On Molten Glass Experience. Good Thru 2/23/23.

Trust in the Hot Shop: Why Glassblowing is the Ultimate Team Sport for Building Stronger Teams

Trust in the Hot Shop: Why Glassblowing is the Ultimate Team Sport for Building Stronger Teams

When you think of team-building activities, glassblowing might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But step into a glassblowing studio, or "hot shop," and you'll quickly realize that this ancient art form is the perfect metaphor for teamwork, trust, and collaboration. In glassblowing, nothing happens without a coordinated effort—every piece, every creation is a testament to the power of working together. Let’s dive into why glassblowing is the ultimate team sport and why it’s an ideal experience for fostering trust and cohesion within any group.

The Dance of Coordination and Communication

In the hot shop, communication isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s an absolute necessity. From the moment a piece of glass is gathered from the furnace, every step requires precise coordination. Blowers, assistants, and helpers must communicate clearly and efficiently to keep the glass at the right temperature, apply the correct tools, and add colors or shapes at just the right moment.

Glassblowing teaches teams the importance of non-verbal communication and being present in the moment. A nod, a glance, or a subtle hand signal can make the difference between a perfect piece and one that falls apart. This heightened awareness of each other’s needs and actions translates directly to the workplace, where clear, concise communication can prevent mistakes and foster a more harmonious working environment.

Trust is Crucial in the Hot Shop

The core of glassblowing as a team sport is trust. When you're handling molten glass at temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, you must trust your teammates implicitly. The blower relies on the assistant to keep the piece rotating smoothly and evenly. The person gathering glass from the furnace trusts that their teammate will be ready with the tools needed to shape it. A moment of hesitation or uncertainty can result in the loss of hours of work or, worse, a dangerous situation.

This trust-building process is why glassblowing is such a powerful team-building activity. It pushes team members to rely on one another, support each other under pressure, and work towards a common goal. It's an exercise in letting go of control and trusting that your team has your back—a skill that is invaluable in any collaborative work environment.

Embracing Mistakes Together

One of the most valuable lessons glassblowing teaches is how to handle mistakes. In the hot shop, mistakes are not only common but are often a critical part of the learning process. A piece might crack, or a bubble might collapse, but rather than point fingers, the team assesses what went wrong and how they can adapt and improve together.

This fosters a growth mindset and encourages a culture of resilience and adaptability. Teams that learn to embrace mistakes together, without blame or frustration, become stronger and more cohesive. They learn to pivot, innovate, and find creative solutions—skills that are essential in today’s dynamic workplace.

Everyone Has a Role

Glassblowing is inherently a collaborative process where every role is crucial to the final outcome. From the person gathering the glass to the one shaping it or managing the furnace, everyone’s effort and focus are required. This mirrors an effective team environment, where recognizing and valuing each person’s contribution is key to success.

In the hot shop, roles can shift and change, offering team members the opportunity to experience different aspects of the process. This flexibility and role diversity help team members appreciate each other’s skills and challenges, building empathy and a deeper understanding of how everyone contributes to the bigger picture.

Building Bonds Through Shared Experience

The shared experience of glassblowing creates lasting bonds between team members. There is something uniquely powerful about creating something beautiful together, especially when it requires overcoming challenges and working through intense, focused moments. These shared moments of success—and even the shared laughter at inevitable mishaps—forge stronger connections that translate back into the workplace.

When teams return to the office after a session in the hot shop, they bring with them a renewed sense of camaraderie, trust, and a deeper understanding of each other’s strengths and communication styles.

Why Choose Glassblowing for Team Building?

Glassblowing is more than just a creative activity; it’s an exercise in trust, communication, and collaboration. It requires a team to function as a cohesive unit, where every member plays a vital role in achieving a common goal. Unlike typical team-building exercises that often feel forced or repetitive, glassblowing is engaging, dynamic, and memorable.

At GlassblowerBen, we specialize in creating customized team-building experiences that challenge, inspire, and bring out the best in every participant. Our hot shop becomes a melting pot of creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork, offering a unique opportunity for teams to grow stronger together.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a team-building activity that goes beyond the usual ropes courses or trust falls, consider stepping into the hot shop. Glassblowing as a team sport not only brings out the best in individuals but also reinforces the importance of trust, communication, and collaboration—fundamental pillars for any successful team. So, bring your team to **Glassblower Ben** and experience firsthand how the heat of the furnace can forge stronger bonds and a more unified, effective team dynamic.

Handblown Thanksgiving Glasses

Thanksgiving is one of the greatest feasts of the year. It’s one of the best opportunities to drink with good friends and family. To catch up on stories, to share your latest accomplishments, and to do so in style. Seasonal decor does not have to be boring or mass produced. Sesaonal decor can be something to be proud of and show off. Enter the Turkuppin, our fresh spin on our medium sized handmade whiskey glass. Each Turkuppin features tailfeathers and the turkey head, featuring it's famous waddle.

A flock of Turkuppins

Your Dog on a Handmade, Mouth Blown Whiskey Glass

Dogs, they’re our best friends and our drinking buddies from time to time. Imagine if you could have them on the bottom of your favorite drinking glass. GlassblowerBen can take a photograph of your dog and turn it into a 3D stamp that is used to imprint the base of one of our handmade glasses.

The first step is to contact us and let us know your desires. We have a team of illustrators and designers available to take even your wildest idea and turn it into a stamp that we can use on glass. We work with you to make sure you get the perfect drawing that represents exactly what you are looking for. The next step is for the designer to draw the dog with specific attention to the details that are necessary to move from 2D into 3D. At this point in the process, all customers review the design. Once our customer is happy with the 2D illustration, it can start the process of becoming a 3D stamp. Each stamp is created by an expert 3D modeler who works with our glass experts to finalize the stamp. At the point, the customer will receive a link to view the 3D model and give their approval. With approval, we proceed to machine the stamp out of specialized metals and perform a glass test to ensure no details are lost. Once the stamp passes the quality check it’s ready for the glasses. We select the specific glass size the customer desires and bring the glasses up to approximately 1000 degrees in temperature. Then we blast the bottom of the base with a specialized torch, or light saber. Then with great control, we stamp the glass and promptly put it into the Annealer where it will go through a controlled cool down process to make sure the glass is safe. The following day, we have gorgeous custom handmade glasses with your dog on them! These make for sucha a great gift for the dog lover in your life.

In the images below, we document taking the photograph of an English and turning it into a glass featuring the English Setter. Please note that the customer gave incredible detail about how to pose the dog, i.e., tail up! Our illustrators are here to make your design perfect. Contact us today to get started.

Original Customer Photograph of the English Setter

llustration of the English Setter

Looking into the Hand Stamped Handmade Glass featuring an English Setter