Making Wileyware
Wileyware glasses are made one at a time at our studio in north Seattle.
Three glass artists work together to make a single drinking glass.
First, we use classic glassblowing tools and techniques to coax a blob of molten glass into the shape of a cylinder.
Next, we sandwich pieces of color-shifting dichroic glass in the base. The glass cylinder is transferred from its initial blowpipe to a secondary metal rod, reheated, and opened up to create a finished drinking glass.
Each glass is hot stamped with a “W” at the bottom. Once made, the glasses are cooled to room temperature over 24-36 hours. Each glass is then dated and signed by Marcia Wiley.
We blow the glasses thick to enhance their delightful optical effects and to ensure that they will have a long, useful life in people's homes.
