Artel

American designer Karen Feldman creates nearly all of Artel's designs. Czech glassworkers then bring her visionary concepts to life with their expert craftsmanship. Her designs that can be described as combination of tradition and luxury is appealing even to the most discerning customer.

As a trained concept photographer, Karen fell in love with Bohemian crystal glass. Although her job applications to Czech glass manufacturers went unanswered, she boldly decided to start her own glass finishing business in 1998, calling it Artel.

Her idea was to bring traditional craft of Bohemian crystal glass to American audience with a fresh design approach. Her creations quickly gained popularity not only in America but also worldwide, transforming her studio into a global luxury brand within a few years.

Soon many luxury brands noticed Feldman's work. Since 2005 Rolls-Royce has offered optional Artel bar equipment. Designers like Armani and Manolo Blahnik also commissioned private label designs from her.

Collections such as Barnyard, Cabinet of Curiosities and African Safari have consistently won prestigious awards like the German Design Award and Tableware International Award of Excellence.

The name Artěl comes from a renowned group of Czech artists who, from 1908 to 1935, pioneered a modern aesthetic with bold cubist designs. Their promotion of a "cultivated lifestyle for all" and opposition to industrial methods resonated with Feldman, prompting her to revive the name.

Artel exclusively refines Bohemian crystal glass to the highest standards, creating handmade luxury glassware that blends Czech tradition with modern artistry. Each piece, from whiskey tumblers to champagne flutes, is mouth-blown, hand-finished and made of lead-free crystal glass.

Skilled Czech artisans meticulously cut and engrave Feldman's designs by hand. Even the most intricate decorations are made using hand-drawn pre-markings with some motifs taking up to 48 hours to complete.

Engravings are a distinctive feature at Artel, showcasing creativity with designs ranging from astronauts and lobsters to flowers and abstract patterns like Arabesque. Collections featuring dogs, Chinese zodiac signs or 1920s athletes are both fun and unique to Artel.

Artel offers a wide variety of shapes. Their barware includes cocktail and cognac glasses, tumblers, highball glasses and decanters. Champagne flutes, wine glasses and goblets come with or without stems. Bowls in various shapes and sizes, plates and vases complete their extensive range.