In North Carolina, Nate Cotterman uses traditional Venetian glass blowing techniques to craft his contemporary collections of barware, lighting and home accessories.
The artist: Born in Coshocton, Ohio, he majored in glass blowing at the Cleveland Institute of Art. After graduating in 2007, Cotterman worked for a local artist in Cleveland, while maintaining his own studio practice.
On the move: In 2010, he moved to Los Angeles to work as a gaffer for Joe Cariati, an award-winning glass designer and maker. In 2014, Cotterman participated in his first design trade show (at NY NOW), and continued to grow his wholesale business through design trade shows.
The company/studio: Nate Cotterman Glass, started 2014 in Los Angeles. It is currently based at the Penland School of Craft in North Carolina, where the artist is part of the school’s Resident Artist Program.
At Penland, Cotterman built his own hot shop, outfitted with a furnace, glory hole and annealers, a type of furnace that helps the glass cool properly.
The goods: Glass barware, lighting and home accessories.
What’s popular: The innovative lighting systems, including Blossom (starting at $13,000) and Aquila (starting at $4,000). Also the Incision Series of bottles and vases (starting at $495).
Other favorites: The Flow wine decanters ($175), strong sellers for more than 10 years. Also the reinvented Dimple vase series (starting at $270) and the Balloon bottles ($215 and up), in a playful mix of shapes, sizes and colors.
Fun request: The first Blossom Lighting installation was created for the headquarters of a pistachio manufacturer in California. The interior of the round glass shades are pistachio green.
Big break (s): Featured in a 2015 Food & Wine magazine story issue. Also being part of the Resident Artist Program at the Penland School of Craft, where resident artists spend three years living and working in the school’s community.
Claim to fame: The patented Cube Glass ($80 & $90), which comes with a solid glass cube fused to the bottom. Place the glass in the freezer for 20 minutes to chill a room temperature beverage immediately – without the melting ice. (See image below of him fusing cube to glass bottom)
Where to buy: www.natecotterman.com
Get social at: natecotterman on instagram.
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