Our Story

The Moment Everything Changed

Picture this: You're in Scotland, surrounded by centuries of whiskey tradition, holding what should be liquid perfection. But something's wrong. The glass in your hand - thin, cheap, forgettable - is betraying one of the world's finest whiskeys.

That moment of disappointment changed everything for glass artist Ben Dombey. It wasn't just about the whiskey or the glass. It was about realizing that the vessel matters as much as what it holds. That the ritual of drinking - the weight in your hand, the feel against your lips, the way light catches the amber liquid - deserves as much craft and intention as what's inside.

Some people let moments like that pass. Ben couldn't. What started as frustration became obsession. What began as obsession became a life's work.

The Making of the Dombey Glass

For years, Ben experimented in his studio, driven by a single question: What if every sip could be elevated? What if the glass itself could make an ordinary moment feel sacred? He brought prototypes to the Frenchmen Street Art Market, watching how people held them, listening to their reactions, learning what made the difference between just another glass and something that stops you in your tracks.

In 2014, that obsession became Glassblowerben, LLC - founded with one audacious goal: to create the finest handmade, mouth-blown whiskey glass in the world. The very first design became The Dombey Glass, named for its creator - a medium-sized tumbler thoughtfully crafted for that perfect whiskey on the rocks.

By 2015, the vision demanded its own space. Ben purchased a property at 1239 St. Ferdinand Street, and by 2017, had built out a studio where he could control every detail of the glassmaking process. His background in welding, metalwork, and fabrication meant he could design his own tools, maintain his own equipment, source his own materials. Complete creative control in service of one thing: perfection you can hold in your hand.

A Turning Point

Sometimes life forces innovation in ways you'd never choose. In 2019, Ben suffered a serious shoulder injury in a bike accident, tearing multiple ligaments. Suddenly, techniques he'd mastered over decades were no longer accessible. The traditional methods that had become second nature were now impossible to use.

He had a choice: give up, or find a new way forward.

Ben chose innovation. He redesigned his tools and techniques to work in harmony with his body, rather than against it. What could have been the end became a beginning - this process-first mindset has become one of the studio's greatest strengths, pushing boundaries that might never have been explored otherwise.

In 2019, the same year Ben faced his injury, he met Allyson. Their connection was immediate, but it wasn't just romantic. Both were navigating significant recoveries: Ben from a torn shoulder, Allyson from recent surgery. That shared vulnerability created a foundation of deep respect, care, and mutual reinvention.

By 2021, Allyson had left her role as SVP at a fintech company, where she led digital product teams, to join the studio full-time. She stepped into the role of CEO and Creative Director, bringing with her a systems mind, an eye for design, and a vision for what the studio could become.

Since then, she’s expanded the studio’s reach while developing her artistic practice. From mastering digital stamp designs to 3D modeling and fabrication. She also supports Ben in the hot shop, maintaining the rhythm of production with practiced presence and trust.

Together, they’ve turned the studio into something rare: a space where love, design, fire, and discipline all coexist.

Where We Are Now

Today, Glassblower Ben is a modern glass studio rooted in tradition, innovation, and soul. Ben and Allyson co-lead the business with shared values: reverence for the handmade, curiosity in process, and the belief that glass can carry story, memory, and meaning.

We specialize in mouth-blown, hand-stamped barware for discerning individuals, collectors, and businesses around the world. Every piece is made in New Orleans and designed to leave a lasting impression—whether enjoyed at home, given as a gift, or shared in celebration.

Each glass is inflated by lung power and crafted by hand. No two are alike—and that’s the point. These small differences are a reminder: something real touched this.

From our studio, we also host private molten glass experiences, offering individuals, artists, and teams an intimate, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the magic of glassblowing.