Glassybaby Berkeley Studio & Hot Shop

Manufacturing in the Bay Area??? Yes it’s true Glassybaby which started in Seattle has a new production facility in West Berkeley. There’s a small shop at the front and just behind the shelves of handblown glassware there are artisans shaping and coloring molten glass. I purchased an IfOnly behind the scenes tour and glassblowing experience to get a closer look (we did some glassblowing ourselves that would pass for solid 3^rd grader artwork :) and we had a really fun time. There is also a full blown event space available with a complete kitchen, perfect for hosting a large-​ish private dinner or other event. Great shop, cute products, nice people!

Fun place the Glassy Baby experience!
They do the glass on premises and just a fun stop!
Great family experience!

One of a Kindness
The founder of glassybaby, Lee Rhodes, is a three time cancer survivor and impressive entrepreneur. The primary products of this business are beautiful, handmade glass votives produced in a dizzying array of colors and sold over the internet and through a few retail stores. 10% of every sale goes charities that help people, animals or the environment. You can learn more on their eponymous website.
I learned of this wonderful private company that has donated over $ 3 million to charity years ago and was excited to find their new studio in West Berkeley. At this location they not only manufacture and sell the glassybabys, but have a rentable event space and monthly classes where the students will blow glass into their own creations.
The open space of the studio and retail shop are gorgeous. You can watch the staff make the products from start to finish while you shop. Each glassybaby has a name. I purchased the bluish Begin Again for myself and the cream colored Comfort as a gift for a friend who recently lost a pet. They are pricey at $ 44 because it takes up to 10 people to make each beautiful keepsake.
I highly recommend you check out this company whose culture embodies a principled vision of a better community and not just the amoral pursuit of profits.