Always Wear A Helmet

Pairpoint
851 Sandwich Road, Box 515
Sagamore, MA 02561
1-800-899-0953
http://www.pairpoint.com

Crystal by Pairpoint  -  A tradition of quality and elegance since 1837

"Pairpoint Crystal retains a rich American Heritage, dating back to its founding in 1837 as the Mount Washington Glass Company.  In 1894 it merged with Pairpoint Silver Company, gaining the name Pairpoint.  Throughout the years, Pairpoint has maintained the high standards of beauty, quality and craftsmanship for which it is internationally renowned.  The labor-intensive skills required to shape the products have been passed from generation to generation, with many of the formulas and techniques originating at Pairpoint over a century ago.  Today, our hand shop produces objects of beauty one at a time, in tradition that spans the centuries.  Individual variations between pieces are the hallmark of free-blown glass.  Bubbles, sheer marks and the rough pontil mark sometimes found on the base of finished pieces are indigenous to handcrafted crystal.  Combined, they make each piece a unique, one-of-a-kind collector's item.

Freehand glass blowing is one of the oldest known art forms.  The preservation of the spirit of fine glass blowing is carried on today at our factory on the shores of the Cape Cod Canal.  Pairpoint Crystal, America's oldest glass works, uses tools and techniques developed by Deming Jarves at Sandwich Glass over a century ago.  Today, visitors can watch as the magic of glass blowing unfolds before their eyes."

Gift shop open 7 days a week.  Glass blowing may be seen Monday through Friday.

	Unfortunately, the lower level where the glass blowing and shaping takes place is not open to the general public - you can watch, but you are one floor up and behind glass which inhibits picture taking.  On this particular day, a class of school children were allowed to go downstairs and were given demonstrations on the glass blowing techniques.
	Glassware in this showcase were all old pieces created by the original Pairpoint Glass Company and not for sale.
	This photo was of various pottery made in Chilmark, on Martha's Vineyard Island.
	Items may be ordered by contacting them directly for their catalog or by checking their website.  One of their most popular items is their cup plates -- many, many designs in a number of beautiful colors.  I have about fifteen of them and plan to add their series of whale cup plates to my collection.

Nancy A. Butler, Student
Asnuntuck Community College
Enfield, CT
Tunxis Community College
Farmington, CT
Email: nancyab@earthlink.net
Websites:  http://www.simplybicycling.com   http://www.simplycamping.com     http://www.simplyendangeredspecies.com