Blowzone

Blowzone began life in 1993 starting out in a subterranean unit that turned out to be a glass works 150 years previously. We began to sell work to an increasingly larger and more specialised market both in the UK and abroad, using such marketing strategies as touring parts of Western Europe in the Transit van. In January 1997 we moved to new premises at the new Crystal Glass Centre, in Amblecote right in the heart of the Stourbridge Glassmaking area. In the three years we were here I became increasingly interested in designing, making and cutting contemporary colour cased work despite my continued non-appreciation of the cut crystal industry in general.

We relocated to 'The Glasshouse College' in 2001, on the site of what once was the glassmaking facility for Royal Dolton which we share with several other studio glassmakers as well as numerous other craft and design businesses. The 'Ruskin Glass Centre' is structured to offer a range of educational opportunities to young people with special needs. This manifests itself mainly through the activity of supervised activities, where two or three students are integrated into a studio or workshop for say a morning a week. They're introduced to the basics of each craft discipline, encouraged to create for themselves with the eventual aim of teaching them a worthwhile skill they can take to the outside world. This has so far been a rewarding experience. 'Blowzone' now employs four full time staff and all are encouraged to pursue their own career in glass concurrently with their time with the company.

Blowzone, founder Iestyn Davies.

Telephone: 01384 399464
Fax: 01384 377746
www.blowzone.co.uk