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Simon Pearce Glass-Blowing Center
Interntional Magazine
© 2004 Bonita Productions Inc.
Real Travel Adventures International Magazine
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Simon Pearce Glass-Blowing Center
By Bonnie Neely, Photos by Bill Neely
About a half-hour from Wilmington, DE, and from Philadelphia, PA, we discovered the beautiful, historic area the Dupont tycoons chose for their early 20th century mansions along the Brandywine River in the region where Pennsylvania and Delaware meet. In Chester County, PA, there are many little village townships we found perfect for strolling, shopping, exploring history, and dining in superb restaurants. This lush green area, with its winding two-lane roads, century-old towering hardwoods, and beautiful homes, both historic and new, is a favorite commute for city executives and a real find for tourists. Among our favorite places to explore we found Unionville, a quaint town with little shops and restaurants, the typical little red schoolhouse, and a working mill. In Kennet Square township we found more delightful and unique little shops, and in West Chester are many boutiques, galleries, eateries and pubs with sidewalk seating for young people to gather for long evenings in good weather.
We chose to spend our first evening at the fascinating Simon Pearce Glass Blowing Shops and Restaurant. Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, this stop is a fascinating arts/educational stop and shopping/dining experience. We entered a lovely reception area which would grace the pages of Architectural Digest and discovered we could watch the entire glassblowing process as three pairs of craftsmen create the world-famous works of clear glass in Simon Pearce's elegant designs. The apprentice artists study and work for about two years to become Journeymen for about three more years until he or she reaches the rank of Craftsman. After many years of careful experience, the most dedicated and skilled craftsmen can become Master Glassblowers, who oversee the pairs of artisans.
Here at the glassblowing facilities for twenty-four hours a day pellets containing silica, potash, lime and barium are melted in a furnace at 2,400 degrees Farenheit. The apprentice gathers the molten glass on the end of his heated blow pipe and removes the blob, which is 2,100 degrees. He then blows and shapes the hot blob with wooden tools called "blocks." When the shape is uniform, he blows a bubble into it and then dips it into a graphite mold of one of Simon Pearce's designs. When he removes the blob he adds a stem and foot if necessary for that piece. With the initial shape complete the more skilled worker works with the apprentice while another heated pipe, the "pontil" is attached to the bottom of the piece with a small amount of molten glass.The glass creation is then severed from the original pipe by means of a "jack tool," which does not cut but removes the heat from the glass area attached to the original pipe. Then the superior craftsman reheats the glass creation in the "glory hole." The intense fire cannot be viewed by the naked eye (so when you are watching avoid looking directly into the furnace.) The craftsman who must watch the piece has on protective glasses and is looking through a welder's shield beside the furnace opening.
The rim of each Simon Pearce glasswork is finished by hand by the superior artisan, whose careful and constant twirling motion keeps the piece uniform in shape. When this is accomplished the piece must be quickly broken from the pontil, a small flame then heals the break from any jagged edges, the trademark symbol is placed on the bottom, and the artwork is inserted into the "annealing" oven. 
This work must be completed in less than a minute because rapid cooling will crack or break the glass. The piece slowly cools from 950 degrees in the "lehr" oven for about eight hours.
This work must be completed in less than a minute because rapid cooling will crack or break the glass. The piece slowly cools from 950 degrees in the "lehr" oven for about eight hours. Simon Pearce himself, an Irishman from Cork County, like his father and older brother,wqa3wqz began as a teen studying ceramics in New Zealand, where he began admiring antique glass and decided to become a glassblower. He completed his education as a fine artist at the Royal College of London. He then apprenticed at several of the finest glass houses of Europe, mastering the glass-blowing techniques. He opened his glassblowing workshop in 1971 in Ireland where he produced his own line emphasizing beauty of contemporary form and functionality and creating each piece individually by time-honored methods. As fossil fuels grew more costly he decided to move his studio workshops to the United States and settled in 1981 in a historic woolen mill on the banks of Ottauquechee River in Quechee, VT.
Historically, glass was first made into beads in Western Asia. The first glass vessels were not created until much later, in the fifteenth to sixteenth century BC. During the Roman Empire glass-blowing was discovered, making it possible to create shapes which had only been possible in pottery or metal. The craft, as Simon Pearce learned it, has been used in Europe for over 200 years, combining the skills of one apprentice and one artist to create glass item as a unique, and distinct work of art. Simon chose to make his reputation with clear glass creations known for their beauty and function. He adds no color because he believes "clear glass is best for revealing the natural beauty of the glass and its contents."
His designs are recognized and prized throughout Europe and the United States. After eleven years of success in his mill store and restaurant in Quechee, VT , he has expanded to four glassblowing facilities in the Northeast, a pottery workshop, and 12 retail stores, but here in West Chester, PA, is the only other location where you can see the glassblowing process. Opened in November of 2,000 the Simon Pearce On The Brandywine has an exquisite shop where you can buy all of his designs and unique and beautiful works by many other artists to complete any table setting and decor.
We found lovely, sturdy and functional wooden bowls by several artists including Glen Lucas, who hand-turns Irish wood; Michael Mahoney, who retrieves wood from city landfills to create his amazing works of art; and Liam O'Neill, whose designs are created by emphasizing the natural markings or blemishes of the wood as the tree falls in Ireland. 
Also for the shop Simon himself has designed beautiful dining tables from old pine he has reclaimed from barns and old houses in New England. These are featured in the store displaying lovely table settings of his simple and elegant Belmont Dinnerware, which is available in celedon green, created by an ancient Chinese technique of reduction and oxygen starvation firing. The dinnerware is also available in a warm creamy color produced by oxidation firing. The unique crazing is achieved by shrinking the glaze faster than the clay in the firing process.
Also for the shop Simon himself has designed beautiful dining tables from old pine he has reclaimed from barns and old houses in New England. These are featured in the store displaying lovely table settings of his simple and elegant Belmont Dinnerware, which is available in celedon green, created by an ancient Chinese technique of reduction and oxygen starvation firing. The dinnerware is also available in a warm creamy color produced by oxidation firing. The unique crazing is achieved by shrinking the glaze faster than the clay in the firing process.Simon has also designed Sutton stainless steel flatware to compliment his dinnerware, and the shop also sells David Mellor flatware from Sheffield, England. We also found unique hand-made baskets, table linens, and woolen throws as other works of art available at his store. And some of the most unique earthen pottery is made by his brother Stephen in Shanagarry, Ireland. These beautiful red clay pieces are partially glazed with white, creating a unique and remarkable design effect. Stephen has created a variety of functional pieces, each of which is a conversation piece of art. You can reach Stephen Pearce at spearce@indigo.ie.
After touring the center you'll maximize your experience by enjoying lunch or dinner in the The Simon Pearce Restaurant On The Brandywine situated beside the Pearce Shop. In this restaurant you'll relax in the simple elegance overlooking the Brandywine River where you might watch a few families of Canadian geese peck along the green grass, completing the picturesque setting. You'll have the opportunity of eating and drinking from Simon's own sturdily beautiful tableware to experience the way each piece looks and feels as you dine.
The variety of selections on the menu makes it difficult to select from all the delectable offerings. The excellent selection of wines include several choices from the local vintnors, whose wineries are gaining recognition through the new wine tours offered. Each dish is prepared with care from only the freshest foods, most of which are from the nearby area. These include many products organically produced by the Amish farmers, fresh herbs, cheeses, and locally grown fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms, and seafood from the coast a few minutes away.
Freshest of foods prepared individually with care is the speciality of the excellent chefs here, and the presentation on Pearce's celedon green dishes is pretty enough to frame! The homemade breads are Simon's own Irish recipe from his homeland, and you'll feel as if his grandmother baked them for you! But be SURE to save room for desserts! Unlike in most other restaurants today, these grand finales to your meal are not brought in frozen or pre-made. Each of these choices are signature creations and freshly prepared in the Pearce kitchen; even the ice cream is made here! We chose the chocolate pudding cake with ice cream and sauce and also a pecan tarte with butter-pecan ice cream and caramel sauce. Nothing we ever tasted was so delicious!!
Jason Wagner does a very good job managing the restaurant for Simon. Inviting you every day for lunch and dinner with impeccable and friendly service, this fine dining experience is a must for anyone in the area. For reservations or information call 1-610-793-0991. The building, which was formerly Lanape Forge and was completely re-designed by Simon, is located at 1333 Lenape Rd. in West CHester, PA, about fifteen minutes from Wilmington, DE, and about a half-hour from Philadelphia...worth the drive!! For more about Simon Pearce you can click here
or call 1-610-793-0948 for the restaurant. For retail sales or more information call 1-888-774-5277.
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© 2004 Bonita Productions Inc
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