The sensory art of glassblowing
The art and practice of glassblowing long predates the 21st century, and many before it. As glass became more of an everyday item, so did the aesthetic desire and appreciation for it. Its delicacy carries a sense of preciousness, its smooth finish sits comfortably in hand. A transparent piece of glass can be tinted with color, molded into artful shapes, detailed with ridges, and in that delicate refinement it crosses the threshold of functional object to one-of-a-kind art.
The story of glassmaking
With its earliest origins dating back centuries, glassblowing is more than a historical practice–it satiates the human need for creation. The careful attention paid to detail and accents in glass making demonstrates the intimate focus between an artist and their art. Glassblowing creations are at their most masterful in the Czech Republic, which has perfected the process through generational traditions of both consistent work and innovation; a combination resulting in the world’s finest glassware.
A talented artist and recent addition to the Collective, Felicia Ferrone’s works are created with the utmost excellence in the Czech Republic, as well as in her home studios in Chicago and Milan. As she cultivates her collections, she infuses each piece with an artist’s love with the addition of intricate details, unique shapes, and a sense of unbridled play.
MEET THE DESIGNER
Felicia Ferrone's namesake brand is based in Chicago and Milan. A multi-faceted and multi-talented artist, Ferrone is skilled in an array of creative forms, with glassblowing being among her most prominent mediums. Her work demonstrates the innovation working with glass allows, spanning classically modern to novel and unconventional aesthetics that stand strong with character.
Ferrone spoke to Elysian Collective about her connection with glass, and how turning a molten material into an elegant vessel remains as the most inspiring artistic process.
“I love working with mediums that simultaneously have endless possibilities and many restrictions,”
Ferrone became a student of glass when living in Milan, where she began working on her first minimalist-driven Revolution Collection that later expanded into a design studio. Ferrone’s second collection in the studio, the Margot, displayed an evolutionary jump from steadied simplicity to sheer maximalism–demonstrating the versatility of the medium, and the freedom at the helm of the artist.
"I am obsessed by proportions, understanding they can make or break an idea and beauty.”
Ferrone’s meticulous attention to detail is a pillar of her work, where production is done completely by hand, eschewing the need and convenience of molds for the pure passion of the process. “It is through this understanding that I am able to push the boundaries both of the technical as well as
what the craftsmen are able to do by challenging them in new ways of using the material and process,” says Ferrone, noting a careful use of the hand in order to create boundless design iterations in her work.
"It brings me such joy the moment I decide a design is finished–I just want to show it off to the world and shout from the rooftops.”
Elysian Collective is greatly inspired by Ferrone’s connection to glassware, and we feature a number of her works in our catalog, including the studio’s Margot, Tulip, and Rare collections – widely beloved by the world’s artists, creatives, and tastemakers. Ferrone’s work is a feast for the eyes; upon a single glance, it stands as a striking work that adds aesthetic value to your glassware collection. As you further regard the pieces, the complexities of design capture your attention, making for an awe-inspiring moment of appreciation for the object. And like any other artistic medium, the ultimate importance of the creation of glass is the need to share that beauty with the world.
Discover Felicia Ferrone’s works at Elysian Collective in the gallery below.
Shop The Collection
MIGHTY MARGOT
The Margot Collection is Felicia Ferrone's maximalist line of glassware. A modern take on cut glass and entirely hand-formed, the Margot Collection inverts tradition with intricate interior detail, making it glassware for those who seek generous, ornate touches in their ideal home design. Adored by creatives and stylists, this Collection has graced the homes, events and wedding registries of the most stylish taste-makers. It is the ultimate toasting glass.
