FAQs about Handcrafted Glassware

What is Handcrafted Glassware?
It is glassware created using traditional handmade techniques. Glassmaking techniques utilised to craft our glassware can be traced back to 3500 B.C in Mesopotamia. For centuries, the methods and technologies of glass working were kept secret-the Venetians sent assassins to chase down errant glassmakers wanting to trade their mysterious skills abroad. In the late 19th century, the work of the great artist industrialists such as Tiffany, Galle and Lalique drew attention to the artistic possibilities of the glass.
Nowadays, these skills are passed from generation to generation. The glass making artisan can shape and craft glass to create unique and individual designs.

Why are There Bubbles in the Glass?
Some of the special characteristics of the traditional glassmaking process used to create your product include small air bubbles, surface waves and slight misalignments in the glass. During the glassmaking process, bubbles of air can get trapped within the molten glass and these can be seen in the finished product - a normal and acceptable part of the process of handmade, hand blown glass.
 

How to bring the sparkle back to your glassware...   

• If you cut your stems diagonally, it will increase the surface area through which your blooms can reach that precious, life-sustaining H2O
• Why not give your flowers a bit of a hangover? A shot of vodka with a teaspoon of sugar will offer some bacteria-fighting properties that will keep your flowers fresh and vibrant.
• A penny for your thoughts. Add a copper coin to your vase with a bit of sugar for another bacteria-fighting property
• Some strong hairspray under the petals and leaves will help keep them nice and perked up.
• If you've room in your fridge, why not pop your bouquet (vase and all) into your fridge every night.
• Tune up! You could try singing a song or two to your  flowers. It's apparently not the carbon dioxide from your breath that makes it beneficial but the vibrations produced by your voice.

8 Ideas for the Perfect Autumn Entertaining

1. You can give large boxed chocolates to your visitors but we love the idea of having bowls and bonbon jars of smaller treats dotted around the house. Fill the glass bonbon jar with pralines from Rococo Chocolates or use the glass bonbon jar set as a centrepiece at your dining table. 
2. As Spring is very much evident in the garden, bring the outside in with posies and bouquets of flowers. See our selection of vases. Our favourite spring flowers include narcissi, tulips, anemones, hyacinths and ranunculus.
3. For a fun grown- up take on a birthday gift with a difference, use a jar. We fancy having a go at filling a jar one-third with scorched hazelnuts and placing a Traffic Jam Sweets from Rococo Chocolates or Praline Cigar  inside and finishing it off with a ribbon tied in a bow around it. 
4. Don’t forget table decorations for your weekend feast. Try putting battery-powered tiny copper wire lights, we love these from Lights4fun  scrunched up under the high footed stand with dome for a magical effect.  
5. If you haven’t overdone it with the sugar already, make a dessert and present it in a glass bowl to show off the colours. How about an old-fashioned rhubarb trifle in this opulent, cylinder  footed bowl.
5. You can use your home-baked treats as decorations, too. Try piling up homemade hot-cross buns or braided bread on this footed cake stand or presenting a pretty Victoria Sponge cake on the glass footed cake stand.
7. You can’t go wrong with a good cocktail for your guests. As lemon is used in lots of recipes, try a simple Sorrento Sparkle, a combination of limoncello and prosecco. Serve in these black stem cocktail Martini glasses or Prosecco black stem glasses with a twist of lemon peel on the side of the glass for decoration. 
8. Lastly, no feasting table is complete without a decanter and glasses full of a good wine. Raise a glass to friends and family and rejoice in what the season will bring.