George Cirocco

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Chateau Anne Signature Collections

The Chateau Anne Signature Collections of hand bags, wallets, and luggage celebrate artistry in their careful selection of material, color, styling and workmanship. They follow the footsteps of the Great Artist Vincent Van Gogh to be different from others. The goal of the company is that each of their bags or wallets will be treasured as a painting masterpiece by consumers, which they can show to others by wearing everyday, and be very proud to talk about.

Each collection has its unique styles coordinating with each other to bring out the best of the print and colors. There is limited quantity for every season of each collection. Every sewing, every turn and twist shows experienced hand-made workmanship. A cloth bag is always included for every consumer to protect the product for years.

Material & Color: It is mainly printed special material undergone waterproof process with leather trim. Every print with the right mix of colors is carefully chosen to suit the collection. There are 8 collections: Vienna, Bon Voyage, Sunflower, Cafe de Nuit, Starry Night, Napoleon, Iris, and Van Gogh Signature.

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Argerine & Jeffrey Correia

From the opalescent treasures of ancient Egypt and Rome to the objects of art created by the contemporary glass studio at Correia, the art of glassblowing has survived almost unchanged. In the 6,000 year old freehand-blowing tradition of these cultures  and other magnificent objects of the past from the Islamic world, Venice and Bohemia  Correia glass continues the perfect union of art and craft. It is of the highest quality and the most elegant design. The visual allure of Correia Art Glass, its bewitching form and tactile sensation make it a work of art to be cherished.

At Correia, the tools and methods of applying hot glass to hot glass by skilled artisans remain the same, but greatly perfected by advances in furnace and glass technology. Correia uses no molds, making each glass object a unique handmade creation. Therefore, every Correia piece is signed, dated and registered to verify its authenticity, protecting its value for the future.

Correia Art Glass is of the highest quality and most elegant design. Its allure is the visual aesthetic of color, form and tactile sensation yet it is the perfect marriage of art and function. These pieces beg to be held and used.

The molten magic of fire transforming fine sand from the American Southwest into glass is an entirely handmade process using our own formulas of minerals and precious metals. The result is art achieved through color, shape and light. Designs are garnet-etched into the surface of the glass, never painted on. Each unique piece is then signed, dated and registered for authenticity.

The nations great museums own Correia Art Glass. It is in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, the Corning Museum and the Chrysler Museum of Art. Each year Correia Art Glass also receives commissions for special pieces from corporations and public institutions and is included in the White House art holdings.

Correia Art Glass, located in Santa Monica, California, is a small family-owned glass studio. It was founded in 1973 by nationally recognized glass artist Steven V. Correia, whose work with glass and light have been exhibited all over the world. Patricia Correia laid the foundation for Correias national reputation by introducing our glass to the finest retailers and fine art museums.

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Galina Delieva

Galina Delieva-Cherhirian was born in 1956 in Triavna, Bulgaria. She now lives in the northeast part of the United States, where she operates Gali studio for hand-painted glass.

She attended The School of Arts in Sofia where she received a B.F.A. in 1975 and the Academy of Arts Sofia in 1981 where she received an M.F.A. in Textile Design. She taught art education and decorative arts from 1985-1989. She was selected to receive the Natinal Prize for Debut in 1983 and an award for outstanding achievement in 1989.

She was intrigued by the European tradition for glass decorating after receiving a collaborative fellowship at Mardirossian Decorative Art Center in Paris in 1990. She moved to the United States in 1991 settling in the northeast, where she maintains a studio and works independently.

Gali Studio was established in 1996. Its unique collection includes functional hand-blown and hand-painted glassware.

New and advanced technologies in paint making, made it possible for the revival of an 18th century technique. The brush application of the paint on the back of the glass makes the image appearance more intimate and spontaneous. It polymerizes and hardens in a kiln temperature.

Each line represents a specific style, uniting a variety of dishes, bowls, centerpieces, glasses, platters, candleholders and dessert sets into a complete and distinguished group. The functionality of the collection and its arresting contemporary design has made it extremely popular among craft gallerys in the United States, Germany and Japan. Gali art work is currently marketed on the American and international art scene.

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* Grant-Noren

Ingela Noren studied four years of arts and crafts in Sweden, her native country, including study of Faux Finishing techniques from an old master in Stockholm.

Daniel Grant is a skilled and professional sculptor and has run his own furniture and cabinet shop.

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Mikel Baker Jezebel

Jezebel wants you to Romance with Nature using these portable lamps and organic fixtures. Crafted of hand forged iron and glass that has been sculpted with Jezebels patented technique, each heirloom quality piece is hand signed by the designer. There is a wide variety of styles to choose from: Table Lamps, Floor Lamps, Night Stand Lamps, Sconces, Pendants, and Chandeliers, plus the option of having a fixture custom designed for you. Jezebel Lamps are a unique way to add light, color, and sculpture to your home. All accent lamps are hand crafted of hand- forged wrought iron. The shades are made of a hand rolled hand colored glass that has been shaped using a process patented to Jezebel. The lamps come with a full range in-line dimmer, light bulbs, and use porcelain sockets. Accent lamps can be ordered with a variety of glass colors and your choice of finish. Jezebel signs and dates each heirloom quality piece.

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Jeff Margolin

Jeff Margolin is an artist, a sculptor. He also has been an instructor of ceramic techniques at M.I.T. He works primarily with procelain clay, a material that he molds by hand. He forms the clay into 3" horizontal strips, which corresponds directly to precise measurements and detail drawings that he creates as blueprints. The piece is actually built by placing these measured horizontal strips on top of each other, edge to edge. Because of the fragility of the procelain, and the high tendency for damage given even the smallest of cracks, Margolin painstakingly attaches the strips of clay while reinforcing them, making sure they are securely fitted together. Only when a strip is dried can the next be put on. Because Margolin must wait for a piece to dry before attaching another, he is able to work with several sculptures at a time. It is important to note that the strips can only be placed on in increments of three to four a day. Similarly, depending on the size of the particular sculpture, the building process of the individual form alone can take the better part of a week. Once the clay has been built and reinforced, Margolin begins carving a unique design out of the dampened, sculptured form.

At this point in the process, the sculpture is set aside to properly dry out. Any moisture left within it will cause cracking and severe damage when fired. Margolin takes the dried, hardened piece and completley scrapes it, then thoroughly sands it down to ensure the surface is uniform and free of imperfections. It is at this time that Margolin begins his burnishing process.

Often, ceramics and other pieces of sculpture are treated with a type of glaze to produce a glorious sheen effect. Margolin achieves his shine through burnishing or rubbing the surface of the sculpture with a small quartz stone. Interestingly enough, before Margolin can burnish, he applies a thin coat of vegetable oil to the sculpture. Once the oil disturbs the molecules of the clay, Margolin rubs the surface with the stone in continuous ovals. After he treats the entire surface of the sculpture in this manner, he lets it dry and then repeats the burnishing process once more.

Most of Margolin pieces are about transition and contrast-about juxtaposing the gentle curve of a vase with a top crackling with interlocking cubes, or inviting ovals that open to rough abrasive interiors resembling coral.

Margolin adds some intriguing touches to the porcelain shell. The pieces are built up with coils, just like traditional ceramic ware, then smoothed and carved. During the firing though Margolin tosses sawdust on the hot surfaces and drapes strands of human hair on them, which leaves behind charred freckles and delicate squiggles.

Lately he's begun to add a hint of color to the carved areas, just a splash of pink or green-gray.

There's at least one functional pot among the lot, a beauty with a carved neck that looks almost woven. But more fascinating is the terra cotta vase with the top made from a tangle of cubes. The two forms seem architectural, but Margolin has skillfully feathered the faces of the cubes into a collar that makes for a convincing transition between rough and smooth.

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Thomas Markusen

Thomas R, Markusen, ranks among a select few artist/craftsmen who are dedicated to the excellence and growth of American metalsmithing. During the past two decades, Tom has established himself with a line of limited-editon holloware candleholders, bowls, platters and vases, using copper, brass, nickel and silver in a variety of finishes.

Graduating with an M/A. in metalsmithing and jewelry design from the University of Wisconsin, Tom has worked for several years producing jewelry. In an effort to broaden his range of expertise, he read the book, The Art of Blacksmithing by Alex W. Bealer and began blacksmithing and investigating ornamental ironworks. Some one-of-a-kind, rural mailboxes are among the most interesting of Tom's early work with iron, and he still makes them occaisonally on request.

Although wrought iron is still made in Germany, Sweden and Finland, it is no longer available in the United States. As alternatives, Tom and other contemporary blacksmiths turned to a mild steel and variety of other metals.

One of the elements that makes Tom's holloware so uniquely American is his discovery and almost exclusive use of seamless copper tubing. Not only is copper tubing abundantly available in the United States, it is available in large lengths and quantities. "In any other metal or medium the labor involved in creating the tube alone would make my work out of the range of average customers," says Tom 'I wanted to create a beautifully hand-crafted item that can be enjoyed by more than a select few."

Tom's idea to producee candleholders with copper tubing opened the door to the marketplace for Markusen Studios. A full time craftsman supplying more than 200 accounts and chairman of the art department at the State University of New York at Brockport, Tom believes that students needed some real life experiences, and has hired many of his students to work with him at his studio. Working during the summer and part time between semesters, many of these students now have their own studios, some are jewlers, some are blacksmiths, and one is a production manager for Cartier's.

Dedication to "Made in America" has brought Tom international attention. His pieces are found in many prestigous collections including the Vatican in Rome, Italy and the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York City. Tom is also proud of his participation in events like "Art for Use" at the XIII Olympics Games at Lake Placid, New York, and his invitation to make Christmas ornaments for Vice President Mondale's tree while in office.

The Japanese have recently approached Tom with an interest in anything American. They ask "What sort of ceremonies do Americans use these (candeleholders) for"?

About the future, Tom says he will pursue the Japanese, he will produce more large scaled architectural pieces to satisfy an increasing demand from interior designers. He will continue to live and work in his rural New York studio. "Climate and environment have a lot to do with where craftsmen settle," says Tom. The change in seasons motivates creativity and this area provides us with almost every kind of weather possible."

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Christopher Morrison

Christopher Morrison is involved in every aspect of glass making. He studied glass art at Hardwick College in 1982 and received his Bachelor of Arts there in 1984. Christopher attended the Pilchuck School in 1983 where he studied with Bertil Vallien. He returned to Pilchuck in 1985 to study with Jon Eric Ritzman and Amy Roberts, and again in 1990 when he studied with Robert Carlson. He has worked at several major glass blowing facilities including the Tim Philabaum Glass Studios in Tucson, Arizona and Chihuly, Inc. in Seattle, Washington. With a desire to share his knowledge and experience with students of glass art, Christopher began instructing glass blowing at the Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle in 1992. He then went on to pioneer the educational program at Seattle Glassblowing Studio before building his own studio, Morrison Glass Art, Inc. in Bellingham, Washington. Christopher lives in Bellingham with his wife Sonya, two sons Brimmer and Keller, and their dog Izzy.

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* Music Mountain Clay Works

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Rick & Janet Nicholson

Rick and Janet's dedication to glass blowing is evident in the excellent quality of their work. The emphasis in their small studio is on creativity and innovation. Each piece is a free-hand expression of the excitment and risk-taking only found in a experimental glass blowing studio. Following Rick's university education at the University of Southern California he operated a pottery studio full time in Southern California from 1974 to 1981. Janet left her photography job in 1979 to freelace and create designs on Rick's clay forms. They were married the same year. In 1980 and 1981, they worked in both clay and glass, and dedcided to concentrate on glass alone in 1982. Orginally from Hawaii and Ohio, repsectively Rick and Janet settled in Auburn, Calfornia in 1982.

Their work involves sculptural light and elegant, asymetrical, platter, bowl and vessel forms. Many works have been commissioned for hotel and private residences internationally. Rick's studies in metal and glass casting have allowed the work to take a new direction. The marriage of glass, metal and light present exciting new challenges.

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* Paper Light

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Rafael & Shopia Covarrubias Rubi Glass

Rubi Glass is a fresh new look in fine art glass. Using traditional and contemporary techniques, combined with avant-garde design, Rubi Glass has developed a unique hand blown style.

Carlos Covarrubias, owner/gaffer for Rubi Glass, has always has a strong passion to create art. While attending UCSB, where he received a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering, he continued to explore his creativity through a variety of art mediums. After graduating, Carlos discovered the beauty of blown glass, and developed his skills and unique style.

Sophia's background in art begins at an early age. A respect for creativity and craftsmanship has been an important facet of her life. Her father, a gifted wood craftsman, has been an influence towards her blossoming as an artist. In high school, she began to explore her interest in art through jewelry. She then continued her art studies with ceramics at Santa Barbara City College, which led her to molten glass.

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Charles Savoie

Glass chemistry and the ability to formulate colors play a major role in the intricate Venetian-style goblets and sculptures of Charles R. Savoie. While 95 percent of glass artists buy color bars from Germany today, Savoie mixes his colors from scratch, starting with a computer spreadsheet program. "Today, everybody has pieces with certain colors," he says. "I didn't want that to be a limiting factor in my work.

He concentrated on sculpture as an ungraduate, but became fascinated with glass. After completing a master's degree in studio glass in 1991 and MFA in sculpture in 1993, he was hired by the University of Sydney in Australia to set up a colored glass program.

"Glass is a wonderful thing," he says 17 years working with it. "I think what has kept me in it is the multi-level interest I have. I spend an hour a day working on my glass formulations. I'm constantly changing my palette."

The goblets reflect his interest in modernizing the old Venetian techniques. "There is a real sense of whimsy I feel that stems from the forms and proportions of Venetain goblets," Savoie says. Making the goblets also keeps him in shape for creating larger glass and cast bronze pieces. While arduous to excute, he says the works are about expressing an idea or emotion visually.

Savoie, who lives in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, received the Fellows Award from the American Craft Council Craft Fair in Baltimore, Maryland in 1996 and 1997, and the Judges' Choice Award at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair in Michigan in 1995.

Savoie believes it takes at least 10 years to acquire enough mastery of the material to be visually articulate in Glass. "It takes years of constant, continuous effort before you can really start to do something with it," he explains. "it's a life pursuit without a doubt."

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Jan Scanlin

After twenty years in the field of art, Jan's passion for art glass has culminated in the unique combination of chisled, sandblasted and airbrushed glass. The ideas behind her work are inspired by God's creation, experience in nature, photographic archives and sheer imagination. After preliminary sketches are put on paper, the fabrication process begins. Three qquarter inch glass is cut and chisled into unique shapes, then carefully polished along the unique swirled edges. After covering the glass with vinyl material, the design is drawn and cut out. Sandblasting carves and sculpts away layers of glass, requiring time and a keen eye for proper layering. Three dimensional images within the glass are the result. These images are then painted using airbrush techiques. Again artistic skill and precision are a must. In the final phase, various pieces of glass are combined in a sculptural array and carfully laminated to supporting bases. Each step along the way is carefully monitored, checked and rechecked in order to deliver the highest quality product possible.

Currently over one hundred galleries across the United States carry her unique galss fountains and sculptures. You will find her work in many private collection.

Jan and her talented staff combine old-world techniques with modern day technology to create wonderfully distinctive glass fountains and sculptures.

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* Schlanser

Schlanser Design Studio is an innovative company that unfolded from a small stained glass studio in Southern California. The owner Stephen Schlanser spent an apprenticeship with Paul von Domarus a renowed German glass artist, learning the art of the century old trade.

Stephen Schlanser decided to take the medium into an exciting new territory by experimenting with kilm fired glass where shape and form were created by heat and gravitity. Arising from these experiments, in 1990 Schlanser Studio presented it's first edition of the Schlanser designs.

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Michell Susan

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Cheryl Takacs

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