At the young age 7, Quebec artisan, Jonathan discovered his passion for glass while helping out his grandparents at their stained-glass studio in Florida. Upon turning 18, he spent 8 years training with a scientific glass blower, Rene Zenklusen, perfecting the technical and scientific art of glass blowing. The training was interrupted while he pursued his bachelor’s degree in fine arts, which he received from the University of Quebec in Montreal. In 2006 he started perfecting the skill on his own, and opened his own studio for business.

 

His artistic approach aims to encapsulate the positive energy in his everyday life. For this reason he is passionate about performing live, involving others allows them to release their inner-child while enhancing his creative process. His unique artistic approach translates directly into one-of-a-kind eclectic pieces. His technique is just as innovative and diversified as his artistic approach.

Each piece is made of borosilicate (also known as Pyrex), known for its durability. The glass he uses is among the highest quality in the world, usually reserved for laboratory equipment.  This quality of glass is lightweight yet is the highest impact-resistant glass, and features a transparency comparable to that of spring water. He melts the glass rods at a temperature of 2200 degrees Fahrenheit, shaping each piece with metal clamps and graphite tools. To create the colorful designs, he uses crushed glass sticks, dusts of silver and gold, and the process of sublimation, which results in an abstract one-of-a-kind design. 

His unique, modern, exuberant styles speak to a wide audience as his jewelry is an admirable work of art; each piece is truly a handcrafted treasure.

 Artisan Nilson de Assis is no stranger to hardship, as he grew up in one of the poorest and most dangerous slums in Rio de Janeiro. At the young age of 15 he dropped out of school to work in a handbag workshop where through hard work, focus, and dedication he was able to help provide for his family. However, it wasn’t until a few years later that he discovered his artistic abilities while apprenticing with a brass artisan. In order to grant his daughter the opportunities he never had, each night he collected and used scraps from the workshop to create stunning pieces of jewelry.

Today, Nilson is a customer favorite at Uno Alla Volta, and has a thriving business in Rio de Janiero. While his success is booming, he does not forget the challenges he faced, which is why he is constantly giving back to his community. Not only does Nilson give back financially, but the success of his business allows him to give stable career opportunities to people with backgrounds similar to his own. Happily, Nilson is able to help all of the members on his team earn living wages and build better lives for themselves and their families.

Each piece of Nilson’s ever-evolving designs is created through an extraordinarily complex and painstaking process which he and his team have mastered. These simply elegant styles are carefully sculpted by hand, bending and soldering brass into rich organic shapes. Once shaped, each structure is specially plated for a uniquely vintage look, then they sift through their collection of native Brazilian crystals to find the perfect gemstones to complete each exquisite design.

Buying a piece of Nilson’s handcrafted jewelry  is an experience unlike any other. You become part of his story, and contribute to helping to better the lives of him and his community.

The feeling of rebirth and renewal. The newfound lightness in our steps.
Flowers will start blooming in gardens everywhere (in the northern hemisphere, anyway) very soon. In the meantime, they are blooming right here, on our website, and in our catalog!

You will fi nd the creativity of our artisans and our merchandising team just overflowing with optimism.
And nothing says spring like our latest Polish Pottery design. Weronika and I worked together to create a whole garden of flowers bursting forth from the canvas of ceramic.

If your facebook likes (4,050 and counting) from my latest trip to Boleslawiec are any indication, this just may be your favorite pattern of all time.

With a spring in my step,

Terri S. Alpert
Founder & CEO

T.alpert@unoallavolta.com

 

Whether you’re spending the night with friends, or if you do have a special someone, there are all kinds of creative and affordable dates to celebrate this holiday with! We’ve done our research and brainstormed several ways to make your Valentine’s Day for 2016 unforgettable!

 

1. Breakfast in Bed. Who says you have to wait to ignite the sparks of love. Even if its just toast and coffee, you’ll score major points early by swooning her with an early birds touch of love. To elevate her surprise- serve breakfast on something as extraordinary as our one of a kind polish pottery stoneware.
2. Plan A Picnic! Not an eskimo? Picnic doesn’t necessarily mean outside, cook something decadent for your partner, and eat on a blanket on the floor. If you’re really in the mood for Valentine’s Day you can amp up the love by adding some candles and rose petals.
3. Decadent Wine Tasting. Nothing says romance like a fine bottle of wine. Champagne is perfect for a night in with your sweetie, but if you’re hosting a party or spending the day with the ones you love, have a BYOB party, that way its almost like a wine tasting event! Put some Valentine’s Day into this event by adding decadent appetizers, chocolate covered strawberries are always a hit (and taste delicious with champagne!) Take things up a notch, if you’re really trying to swoon your sweetheart- serve your wine or champagne in our exotic wine glasses.
4. Surprise Her With Flowers. We don’t just mean, having them sent to work or bringing them as soon as you see her, although those ideas are great- we suggest something a little more tactic. If you have an extraordinary date planned- you can have flowers guide her to your special trip, using them as a scavenger hunt. Taking her out, and having flowers waiting where she’ll least expect them is also a turn on the classic gift of flowers. We like a little something extra with our flowers, if your love is everlasting, there’s no reason her flowers should be- surprise her with our gorgeous everlasting roses.
5. Spark An Old Memory. Where was your first date? Remember that diner you used to go to every Friday when you were younger? Every couple has distinct routines that reignite the spark in their relationship, so make arrangements to revisit your past- and reconnect with experiences and memories. The perfect way to end a special night of reminiscing, is with a unique piece of jewelry, that she wouldn’t find anywhere else!

Our customer, Vivian wrote this particular poem with inspirations from artisan, Shelley’s “Over the Moon” necklace. We wanted to share this moment with you, because it ties together what our vision at Uno Alla Volta which is based on the human connection. We are proud to share Shelley’s art, with the art of our customer- as we have become a part of the rippling cycle of enrichment.

 

“I had to venture out into the night.

Dark clouds gathered, drawing the curtain

across the sky,

hiding any light.

 

The massive clouds released their burden of rain.

Water rose around me and wind blew the drops

mixed with hail against

the window pane.

 

When the storm moved on,

I made my way to the safety of home.

Arriving, I looked up to behold

a crescent moon and stars, as if painted

on the ceiling of a cathedral dome.

 

The magic of the moment touched my soul

with the words, “Jewels in the Storm”.

This gift in the universe covered me

with a message of love, soft and warm.

 

I remembered all the storms of my past;

loss, tragedy, sorrow and broken dreams.

Each storm left a jewel for me,

when the clouds made way for bright sun beams.

 

A new path led me the right way.

A lesson I needed to learn took form.

Heaven’s love always guides me

And gives me   JEWELS IN THE STORM.”

 

 

There’s a million different ways to show the ones we care about that we love them, but the best way to say “I love you” is by using the most universal language- action. Your actions are the best way to show someone you love them because it’s just that, you’re literally taking the time to show them you love them.

This month giving and getting don’t have to be an “either or” scenario, because, unlike so many other companies today-  our gifts allow each customer to give while they get. Here’s why- when purchasing any one of our handcrafted treasures you become the drop into a ripple effect of enrichment, enriching the lives of the artisans, along with the lives of our employees.

We understand how important embedding passion into your actions is, because – each and every single one of our products is handcrafted one at a time. Our artisans are able to fulfill their life long passions, and share them with the rest of the world, so with each product you’re not just giving someone a present, but a present that was created with nothing but passion– which may be just the spark you need to heat up your Valentine’s Day!

Give that special someone an extraordinary present that you know they’ll adore forever. Shop here.