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For centuries, the finest tables of Europe have been graced by hand-engraved glass from Bohemia. Today's Artel, established in 1997 by the American designer and entrepreneur Karen Feldman, continues the work of its predecessor, fusing the exacting standards of traditional Czech glass-making with contemporary design and utility. Hand-engraved on backdrops of brilliant mouth-blown crystal, Artel's design motifs are both elegant and whimsical-art of our age holding the promise of timelessness. The champagne flutes, highballs, decanters and other objects adorned with these designs are as functional, flawless and enduring as they are decorative. More than just hand-crafted objects of beauty and utility, Artel glass in a celebration of past and present, fit for celebrations in a century yet to come. It is a feat indeed to start your own business before the age of 30 and it is even more challenging to do so in a foreign country, yet Karen Feldman has managed to do both with finesse. The American designer moved to Prague in the fall of 1994 and with only $2,500 of her own savings started Artel in 1997. Artel produces exquisitely detailed mouth-blown, hand-engraved glassware, capitalizing on the rich Czechoslovakian history of glassmaking since the 16th century. For Feldman that tradition of quality craftsmanship, combined with her fresh approach to design and the charms of a romantic European city is just the right blend for a successful venture. Feldman had fallen in love with the Czech city two and a half years earlier when she took a job overseeing production for an American shampoo company. She was seduced by the location even though the job opportunity proved less than desirable. Most of Feldman's free time was spent hunting around bazaars and flea markets for Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Biedermeier glassware and jewelry - a passion that inspired her initial business plan. Feldman set out to reproduce her favorite glass designs dating back to the turn of the century through the 1930's using the original factories, but found they wanted ridiculous amounts of money because she was a foreigner. Fortunately, for fans like you and I, Feldman had better luck with plan B - designing her own line inspired by early twentieth century pieces but updated with a contemporary twist. She found the factories were eager to use their century's old-techniques to create her fresh, modern designs. Artel's luxury glassware is mouth blown and hand engraved with each piece taking both a glassblower and an engraver several hours to complete. Her glassware is infused with a sense of playfulness oftentimes incorporating fish, butterflies, bubbles, and flowers while still maintaining a sense of sophistication. The charming and elegant bedside decanters, fruit bowls, and trumpet flutes rank among buyers' favorites, "My customers love the whimsical designs," says Feldman, "They tell me it's not like anything they've seen before on the high end market." Feldman has the good fortune to work with highly skilled artisans since glassmaking and engraving is a serious art form in the Czech Republic. Glassmakers generally begin their training at age 14, attending specialty schools for at least five years. Conducting business, on the other hand, can be difficult, "I speak very bad Czech so all business is communicated through an interpreter and information often gets lost in translation." Feldman adds, "To an American manufacturer 'rush' means two weeks whereas to a Czech it may mean four months." Finding manufacturers and keeping them happy is also an adventure, "In the U.S. the manufacturer wines and dines the buyer to gain business, here we have to make 100 percent of the effort in hopes that they'll work for us - we give them many bottles of liquor and gifts." Besides being a great place to start her business, Prague truly has captivated Feldman in terms of lifestyle, especially the amazing and affordable antiquing. "My money goes much farther here and I am able to fill my flat with Art Nouveau furniture and fixtures - my life would not be as good living in New York." Would she ever move back to the U.S.? "I consider Prague my home now," Feldman says, "I find the city unbelievably beautiful, I am inspired every time I walk out the door." |
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