Our Story
“Dickinson Glass honors the tradition of craft and venetian glass-making techniques, provides education encompassing an ancient art, and produces elegant products for the enrichment of our community.”
The People
Owner, Michael Dickinson, with wife, Nicolette.
Michael Dickinson
craftsman, creative manipulator of glass, owner of dickinson glass
Dickinson Glass is a handcrafted glass line by local glass artist and designer, Michael Dickinson. With each glass made by hand from his studio and showroom in beautiful Sonoma County, he honors traditional venetian techniques while incorporating contemporary scientific approaches. His current body of work is a collection of time spent sculpting, manipulating, and shaping primarily hollow forms and sculpture. Leading workshops around the Bay Area, he strives to connect maker and consumer, highlighting the importance of the tradition of craft through education and relationships. He has been a faculty member at both The Crucible and Bay Area Glass Institute, reaching over 1,000 students ranging in age from 12 to 65+. He has worked with organizations for team-builds including Google, Facebook, Twitter, Square, Salesforce, and has hosted live demonstrations for Stanford University, Bay Area Glass Institute, and Maker Faire, among other organizations. His work has been exhibited nationally, showcased in galleries and curated stores, and is included in a number of private collections.
Nicolette
Nicolette is the heart of our operation. She oversees all of the web design, photography, scheduling and order management, digital marketing strategy, product launches, all while helping bring our ideas to life. She is almost always the one behind the lens, capturing the love whether in the studio or in our garden.
Tyler (Tide) - the shop Dog
Tyler is Michael and Nicolette’s beloved companion, lover of rides and the beach, a curious hiking buddy, and shop dog extraordinaire. Tyler is a 9 year old Springer Spaniel and is often at the shop, always hopeful for a treat or two.
The Place
Dickinson Glass Studio and Showroom
6770 McKinley Street, Suite 120, Sebastopol, California 95472
“The Barlow is a 12-acre Bay Area outdoor market district in Sebastopol, California featuring local food, wine, beer, spirits and crafts made onsite by Sonoma County artisans. Stroll our industrial-chic, dog-friendly campus and savor the organic edible landscaping — a nod to the rich agricultural history of The Barlow. Our community is open and ready to greet you.”
The Process
Michael Dickinson works with borosilicate glass, blowing a bubble in preparation for marble making.
“Lampworking is a type of glasswork where a torch or lamp is primarily used to melt the glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements. It is also known as flameworking or torchworking, as the modern practice no longer uses oil-fueled lamps.”
Read Michael Dickinson’s contribution in the 2017 Summer issue of The Flow and his tutorial in the Marble and Paperweight Issue.