FAQ's
A few answers here to fulfill some questions you might have. If you have one not seen here, please give us a call!
How do you make these sculptures?
All sculptures are created with the Flame-working technique. Since each sculpture is handcrafted and no molds are ever used, no two sculptures are ever exactly alike.
Can a plaque be added to the sculptures?
Yes, for an additional charge, we can add a plaque that can be attached to the front of the base of the sculpture, which is great in the event the sculpture is utilized as an award or special occasions gift. Also, if you just want to include a special and personal message to the recipient of a Fräbel, we can include a handsome embossed Fräbel gift card that can be personalized.
How do I clean my Fräbel?
To clean your Fräbel, just use a soft cloth and a common household window spray, such as Windex. Borosilicate glass is one of the hardest glasses on earth and unlike soft and more fragile glass, such as lead crystal, using household cleaners will not damage it. Use a moistened lint free soft cloth to wipe the sculpture down. Do not let the moisture drip into the wooden base, since this may damage the base.
Do we ship to the client?
Yes, we ship Fräbels all over the world. Whenever we ship, your Fräbel is insured against breakage and we will restore your sculpture free of charge in the rare situation that something goes wrong. If necessary, we can build crates to ensure that your Fräbel sculpture will arrive safely.
Can a Fräbel be restored if broken?
Yes, in most cases, we can restore your Fräbel, no matter how badly it is damaged. To find out more, give us a call at the Studio and we can answer your questions.
What is Flameworking?
Flameworking (also called Torchworking or Lampworking) is the technique where a glass artist has a torch in front of him and he manipulates the glass by moving it in and out of that flame.
How much is it to commission a custom sculpture?
The cost completely depends on the scope of work. We have done custom sculptures for the base price of $1,200 and others for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Please contact us to discuss your needs with our artistic director, and we can give you an indication of how much it would be.
How do you achieve the opaque look on some of your sculptures?
By sandblasting the surface of the glass, we create little indentations in the glass that reflect the glass light in different colors. Our eyes cannot handle this and fools our brain in believing that the glass is white. If you wet the opaque glass, you will find that it is completely clear again.
Who collects Fräbel sculptures?
Fräbel sculptures are collected by individuals and museums worldwide. You can find Fräbels in private collections of the rich and famous and many heads of state, such as Nelson Mandela, Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, Coretta Scott King, Billy Crystal, Sting, President Jimmy Carter, President Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II, to name only a few.
Where can I find Fräbels in on display?
The most prominent place is our studio gallery here in Atlanta, come drop by! Other Fräbels can be found in museums and botanical gardens all over the world. Here are a few Museums that have Fräbels in their collection:
– Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
– Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY
– King Center, Atlanta, GA
– Whitney Museum of American Art, NY
When did Mr. Fräbel start working with glass?
Hans Godo Fräbel started his career in glass as a scientific glassblower at the Schott Glasswerke in Mainz, Germany, when he was only 15 years old. He had a natural “knack” for glass and his fellow glassblowers described him as being more than 3 times faster than anyone else. Fräbel had an interest in art and started following art classes in Germany. He moved to the US in 1965 and got a job as a scientific glass blower at Georgia Tech. Fräbel continued his art studies (he is actually a very good painter as well) at Georgia State and decided to follow his heart and opened his own glass art studio in 1968. You can read more about Mr. Fräbel at http://www.frabelglass.com/about/
How old is the Fräbel Studio?
The Fräbel Studio was founded in 1968 and incorporated in 1972.
Where are Fräbels made?
All Fräbels are made exclusively in the United States at the Fräbel Studio in Atlanta, Georgia.
What are the most famous Fräbel sculptures?
The most famous Fräbel of all time must be the “Hammer and Nails” sculpture Hans Godo Fräbel created in 1977. This glass hammer is in mid-air strike to hit a glass nail into a piece of wood. It has been the feature piece of the “New Glass Exhibition” organized by the Corning Museum of Glass and traveled the world for many years. The “Hammer and Nails” sculpture is now part of the “Heckinger Collection” and still travels to museums worldwide as part of this collection.
Other famous Fräbel sculptures are the dripping faucet sculpture (entitled: “In the Middle of the Night”), which can be found in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC (together with Fräbel’s “Labyrinth”) and the iconic clowns that Fräbel created for Absolut Vodka, which can be found in the Absolut collection in Paris.
Can we visit the studio?
Yes, the Fräbel Studio is open to the public, Monday – Friday from 9 until 5.
Please note that most of our artists work early, so if you would like to see the artists at work, you want to make sure to be there between 9 AM and 1 PM.