Your answers straight from the village experts
The art of glass blowing dates back to almost 50 BC when Syrian craftsmen invented the technique. Its popularity grew with the rise of the Roman Empire, taking it through Europe and then to parts of Asia and the Middle East. Soon after, the beauty and utility of blown glass made it widely known and desired around the world.The first glass made in North America was produced in Puebla, Mexico around 1535 by artisans from Spain. Handblown glass arrived in the Guadalajara area in 1820.Central Americas first blown glass factory opened in Guatemala in 1970. Its founders learned the art from local people, which made them valuable assets for two more factories that opened in 1972. Over the years, a small community of artisans from Quetzaltenango came together to create Cantel Blown Glass Artisans, a cooperative that works together with Novica to share these unique creations with the world.
By Madeleine
I buy them for me. I buy them for gifts. They are colorful and durable. I have never had one break, ever.
By M.
Ordered a dozen of these striking glasses and was absolutely stunned when they arrived--extremely well packaged, compactly and with no fuss, each glass made me gasp as I brought it out into the light. Every one of the 12 glasses is beautiful in its own way, and as a set they are remarkable consistent in size, weight, etc. I like that they are thicker than molded glassware because this keeps drinks cooler and theyre arent so easy to tip over. I recently dropped one, it hit a metal basket and then fell to the floor--not a single chip or crack! Very durable as well as original and beautiful! I hope to have these for a long long time!
By Evie
I have several of Katia and Ivans pieces and I love them. They are so light and airy and add a bright spot to my office.
Without a doubt, what distinguishes Mexican hand blown glass art is the interplay of clear glass with such colours as cobalt blue and other vibrant hues
The art of hand blown glass or vidrio soplado has diversified throughout the world, yet it is in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, where allegedly more... read more
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