One Realistic Glass Strawberry Sculpture, Hand Blown and Life-Sized 1
One Realistic Glass Strawberry Sculpture, Hand Blown and Life-Sized 2
One Realistic Glass Strawberry Sculpture, Hand Blown and Life-Sized 3
One Realistic Glass Strawberry Sculpture, Hand Blown and Life-Sized 4
One Realistic Glass Strawberry Sculpture, Hand Blown and Life-Sized 5
One Realistic Glass Strawberry Sculpture, Hand Blown and Life-Sized 6

One Realistic Glass Strawberry Sculpture, Hand Blown and Life-Sized

$75+

These glass strawberries are the most technically difficult berries I make. I form them using the lamp working process, which involves melting colored glass rods in the flame of a torch. The glass is melted over and around a loop in a length of copper wire of appropriate thickness, which then becomes the strawberry stem. Because of the loop, the stem can never be pulled free of the glass strawberry.

Although the strawberries you see pictured here are a ripe medium red, I can also make them in a darker over-ripe purple red, or even a white "alpine" variety. The size (not including the stem) can be anywhere from small (about 3/4 inch high) to large (a little bigger than 1-1/4 inches high).

Once I have made the basic strawberry shape, the time-consuming job of adding the seeds begins. Each seed is placed one at a time into its own recessed seat in a process that takes up to a minute per seed. The smallest strawberries have more than 100 seeds, and the largest have several hundred seeds.

After all the seeds have been placed, it's time to finish the strawberry by adding the green sepals (leaves). This is the most dangerous time. The challenge is to keep the entire body of the strawberry evenly warm (about 900 - 1000 degrees F) while adding the sepals, because if any portion of the strawberry becomes too cold the whole thing will explode due to thermal shock. If the sepals get too warm, they melt into green blobs. It’s quite a balancing act! The final step is to put the strawberry in the kiln for controlled cooling.

Each glass strawberry is priced according to its size. The cost of your order will depend on how many strawberries you order, and their sizes. Your order will be carefully packaged with biodegradable plant fiber batting inside a 100% recycled paper gift box with a pretty red stretch bow.

4.9
13 Maker Reviews
Elizabeth Johnson

Elizabeth Johnson

Elizabeth Johnson Art Glass, LLC

Boulder, CO
Member since: 2013
4.9
13 Maker Reviews

  • Long-time member

    A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.

  • Fast shipper

    Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.

  • Great service

    This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.

About Me:
I have been working with glass for about thirty years in total, and have made my living as a glass sculptor and jewelry designer for the last fifteen years.

About My Work:
My current work focuses on lifelike fruits and berries which I make from glass in the flame of a torch. I sell the glass berries as sculpture as single pieces or in customized groupings, and I also incorporate them into unique jewelry pieces, often custom-designed for individual clients.

The jewelry designs can range from very simple pendants and earrings to complex statement pieces. Take a look at my Custom and Quick Order listings to get some ideas of what can be done. I would love to design a custom piece just for you.

My Business:
My work is also available for purchase around the United States at major glass and art galleries, and my pieces have found homes in private collections all over the world. I also do business under the name GlassBerries.

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