The adventure began in 2019. Grisha Zilber and Yachdav Gilbar, two glass artisans, opened Speculo, an artisanal glass studio at the port of Caesarea in northern Israel; they receive a large clientele who come to participate in the design of glass objects. This unique concept in Israel offers a variety of classes and workshops for all ages. Discovery.
“Grisha and I met while studying art at Bezalel in Jerusalem and we became friends. A few years later, we decided to partner up to set up the handmade glass studio. I have always been fascinated by this material. My aunt who lives in the United States opened her own studio in Chicago. She did design for stores and all kinds of lights. She inspired me a lot and I decided to open the same business in Israel,” Yachdav Gilbar tells Itonnews.
The choice of location in Caesarea, surrounded by the sea, is part of their desire to create a unique and exciting experience. Every day, Grisha Zilber and Yachdav Gilbar offer workshops and activities in a fun way for visitors. They also organize special events for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, bachelorette parties and Yom Kef offered by companies to employees.
"We have a lot of couples among our clients, but also families and groups of work colleagues. People come from all over Israel to experience something out of the ordinary. We offer several formats of one, two or three hours where they can design one object per hour, while being guided by Grisha and me," says Yachdav.
Participants choose the objects they want to make, then they are heated in a 500-degree oven and cooled for two days before being delivered to their homes. Yachdav says customers like objects they can then use at home: carafes, ashtrays, vases, light fixtures and various pots are the most commonly designed. Decorative objects such as glass sculptures are also for sale on the site.
"We help them in the process and give them the necessary instructions because these are materials that people are not used to handling. We offer them the opportunity to do an activity that is unique, it brings joy in this difficult time. Many come back several times. We have received very enthusiastic reactions, this encourages us to develop our business even more," says Yachdav.
The young artisans have held an outdoor exhibition in Jerusalem and dream of repeating the experience in a museum or gallery. For now, they are exhibiting their creations in the studio.
"We want to work with interior designers and create large light installations," Yachdav concluded.
Speculo website to register for workshops or buy glass objects: https://speculo.life/english/
Caroline Haïat
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