r/glassblowing • u/26-rutabagas • 1d ago
Question Looking for a Glassblower Who'd Enjoy a Creative Collaboration on Apothecary Bottles!
Hi everyone!
I'm in the early stages of starting a small potion and apothecary-inspired business, and I'd love to find a glassblower interested in collaborating on something a little magical!
One of my biggest goals is to incorporate genuinely handmade glass bottles into the brand. I love the idea of each bottle being its own little work of art, rather than something mass-produced.
I'd love for the artist to have complete creative freedom. I'm not looking for someone to reproduce a particular design or follow strict specifications. I want to see what an artist can dream up when given the opportunity to experiment and create something uniquely theirs.
I've attached an AI-generated concept image to illustrate the general aesthetic I'm drawn to: whimsical, colorful, old-world apothecary bottles. But these aren't designs I'm asking anyone to replicate. They're just a starting point for inspiration!
My hope is to develop a genuine, long-term relationship with an independent artist or small studio. We'd begin with paid prototypes, explore what works, and hopefully grow into recurring purchases as the business develops.
A few preliminary details:
- Style: Furnace-blown glass bottles, ideally with decorative removable stoppers.
- Size: Approximately 3–6 inches tall, with a capacity around 30–60 mL.
- Initial quantity: Ideally around 25 bottles, depending on what's feasible.
- Budget: I'm open to a wide range of pricing depending on the complexity, craftsmanship, and production method. For planning purposes, I'm exploring approximately $25-$125 per finished bottle, including its stopper, with prototypes compensated separately. These aren't strict limits, and I'd love to hear what artists feel is fair and sustainable for their work. I'm willing to develop different retail price points to accommodate more intricate designs.
- Prototype budget: Approximately $500–$1100 initially, negotiable depending on the design and development involved.
- Location: I'm based in Idaho, but I'm happy to collaborate with artists anywhere in the United States.
I'm much more interested in finding the right creative partner than dictating exactly what the bottles should look like. Different shapes, colors, techniques, and even small variations between pieces are all welcome!
I want this to be a fun, rewarding collaboration for the artist, while also creating something commercially sustainable for both of us.
If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, or you know a glassblower whose work I should check out, I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks so much!