I’ve already introduced you to Eva Solo (and you can see a huge variety of her spectacular products here and here). Especially since Easter and Mother’s Day are nearly here, I think this is a perfect time to tell you about Peggy Karr.
I first saw Peggy Karr Glass when I was in a specialty shop that carried really nice home decor and entertaining products. Most of the stuff in the shop was unusual and a little artsy. From across the room, I saw some serving platters and plates with colors and designs that simply knocked me out.
Of course, I bee-lined my way to that area of the shop and learned about the designer. Peggy Karr s not exactly a household name. But her glassware can be found in many households across the country. Many people collect her glass work, and I can understand why. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s practical and affordable, too.
Peggy Karr started her business in 1987 in her home in Morristown, New Jersey. She had become enamored with the process of enameled glass and set out to master the technique. Since that time Peggy Karr Glass, Inc. has grown to be the largest enameled fused glass company in the world and all “Handmade in America.”
The glass is cut by hand into over twenty different shapes and sizes to support a wide product line of display pieces, ornaments, dishes and serving trays. The company employs artists to create the designs, then use computer to print a line drawing. One of the things that makes Peggy Karr Glass, Inc. unique in the industry is that they formulate and produce their own colors using a combination of finely ground glass and ceramic pigments. The artists apply the colors to the glass using tiny, hand-held sifters. It is a delicate and intricate process. Layers of color are added to each piece using stencils that are computer generated. Although the actual designs are duplicated, each piece is handmade by the artisan with subtle variations of the depth of color and texture. Each piece is unique.
After the artisan has finished adding all the layers of color, a second piece of glass is added on top, ensuring that the design and colors will never fade or be chipped away. The two pieces of glass are then placed in a ceramic mold which will give the piece its final form and adds a distinctive pebble finish to the back of every piece. The molds are placed in a kiln that has been designed by Peggy Karr especially for her glassware. The kiln heats the glass to 1600 degrees, causing the twp pieces of glass and to fuse together, forming one solid piece of glass with the design and color sealed within.
The final pieces are highly functional as well as beautiful. The design and colors are protected from washing away or being scraped by knives and forks. Each piece is inspected and only those that are judged as perfect get the marking of ‘PKG’ for Peggy Karr Glass, followed by the year.
Her designs cover a wide variety, from traditional fruits and flowers to abstract and geometrics. You’re going to use these pieces over and over, get tons of compliments on their beauty, and you can pass them on to your kids. I think they make great gifts, too, especially since the prices are very reasonable for something handmade, functional, long-lasting and really attractive. You might still have time to Order For Easter Delivery
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