FACEVESSELS
DEGEN has been partnering with glass sculptor Neal Drobnis for over 7 years to bring you his exceptional handmade Facevessels and spread a little joy. Here is a look at Neal's process and some backstory on how we met.
Neal and I first met through the RISD Craft alumni events. I would always bring home a selection of his wares for myself and as gifts for friends. For years I would receive compliments on my Facevessels and people would ask how they could get one of their own. For years attending one of these local craft fairs in Rhode Island was the only way to shop Neal's creations. In 2020 (?) I partnered with Neal to be the only online retailer of Facevessels to help spread the joy that his handmade creations brought to so many people.
Years later and we're still working together! Now Facevessels are available in a limited supply at retailers across the country. But DEGEN is still your main source for the latest and greatest.
To make a Facevessel, Neal starts with carefully assembling each piece of the glass cane that will melt to make up the expressive faces that we all know and love. No two pieces are alike, each one is completely unique and made carefully by hand by Neal.
The molten glass is carefully rolled onto the colorful cane faces, which melts and fuses to the glass. Neal then blows and manipulates the glass into the organic shape that will become a drinking vessel.
Neal uses jacks to shape and crease the glass. This helps to create the shape of the top of the vessel and thin the glass so it can easily be separated from the blowpipe. Once it has its shape, the base of the glass is transferred to a punty (steel rod).
From the punty, the hot glass is turned and slowly manipulated so the rim of the glass can be shaped with tweezers.
After it is removed from the punty, the bottom of the glass is finished off by being heated to make sure the shape is smooth so that it can sit flat on a surface.
And ta-da! A FACEVESSEL is born! We suggest subscribing to our newsletter here to ensure you stay up to date on latest drops of Facevessels.
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