Ocular prostheses – more commonly known as artificial or “glass eyes” — have been in use since ancient times. What began as molds of gold, paste and enamel five thousand years ago evolved into elaborate glassblowing techniques, then plastics in the twentieth century.
Jost Haas, a German native working in London, is one of the last known glass eye makers. Utilizing the imperfect craft of glassblowing, he delicately breathes life into each glass eye, by hand, in his studio. This antiquated technique has been in use for nearly two hundred years, but it has fallen out of fashion as streamlined acrylic and plastic artificial eyes became more mainstream. Listen as he reflects on this dying art form.
255 comments
Sign in to add your ownJudiPaintedit says:
Kind of creepy, but super cool!
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
This is amazing ;)
1 year ago
soule says:
WOW! Amazing!
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
I saw this video originally on engadget, it's so fascinating and tinged with a little bit of sadness. Beautiful intricate work.
1 year ago
badcandystudios says:
Fascinating!
1 year ago
MrsGibson says:
This is amazing, great article.
1 year ago
sci00 says:
Interesting to see how that's done. Amazing skill, though
1 year ago
boardwinos says:
Wow! That was super awesome, thanks for sharing that.
1 year ago
elinart says:
Absolutely fascinating.....but quite melancholy too :/
1 year ago
NecessiTees says:
My son does glass blowing - not quite like this- but I know it's a difficult and amazing art form. Jost Haas is a true craftsman! Thanks for the interesting article and video.
1 year ago
PlumeandPetals says:
Really fascinating story!
1 year ago
theroyal says:
i always prefer hand made items.
1 year ago
allisonmooney says:
pretty amazing!
1 year ago
DecadesOfVintage says:
Wow
1 year ago
stepbackink says:
Great find love those eyes :)
1 year ago
PirateWenchTreasures says:
Creepy- which I love!
1 year ago
appearences says:
Amazing handcraft ....... could have watched him make glass eyes all day.
1 year ago
GalleryJuana says:
amazing story!
1 year ago
OfTheFountain says:
What an awesome topic! Thank ya! :)
1 year ago
VeyCourtCottage says:
Very interesting!
1 year ago
mathaowny says:
Oh that's awesome!
1 year ago
girltuesdayjewelry says:
What an amazing and unusual story! I loved watching this video--thank you!
1 year ago
carousel2 says:
beautifully creepy...
1 year ago
rosebudshome says:
Not something you can learn in a day, truly an art form!
1 year ago
ndnchick says:
My brother has a glass eye. He used to pop it out to scare the girls with. lol I ♥ my brother.
1 year ago
jodyvanB says:
A very rewarding and intricate art form. Amazing and soothing to watch. I wonder how many glass eyes are on those shelves and if they are all spoken for? Cheers, Jody
1 year ago
overthemeadow says:
Very interesting... Amazing artist.
1 year ago
nikisha says:
Really amazing. Hope this art will continue in a new generation...
1 year ago
nikisha says:
Really amazing. Hope this art will continue in a new generation...
1 year ago
HopeMahonGallery says:
i am amazed,thank you for the video
1 year ago
HeatherLucille says:
Glass eyes seem to have more character and charm than plastics. Each and every hand-blown glass eye is a work of art!
1 year ago
perfectwear says:
Thanks for video. Honestly this is very impresive. Hope it will go on and continue.
1 year ago
perfectwear says:
Thanks for the video. Honestly this is very impressive. Hope it will go on and continue.
1 year ago
Magillie says:
Amazing! Thanks so much for the share!
1 year ago
skkline555 says:
Thank you so much for blogging about prosthetics! I was so surprised to see oculars on ETSY's home page! I am a huge fan of ETSY, and I am also in school right now studying how to make prosthetic eyes (which are typically made of acrylic now because the glass is dangerous!), ears, noses, etc. - anything facial that patients need as a result of being born that way, traumatic loss, or cancer. I get to mash together my two loves: science (medicine and engineering) and art. The amazingly creative people here on ETSY are the best distraction from my school work :) Thank you to everyone in this community for contributing to my favorite limited-free-time habit!
1 year ago
sarantos says:
For some odd reason the video is all pixelated when I try to watch it. I really want to see it. Sounds interesting. Eyes are a favorite theme of mine.
1 year ago
GypsyDreamz says:
Great article! My Dad wears a glass eye and it's amazing how realistic it is! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
luisascreations says:
I always appreciated this type of craft, this takes it to a new level for sure! ;)
1 year ago
chrisandyaya says:
Wow!!! That is so AWESOME!!!!!! Great Video!
1 year ago
paintbyletter says:
Thank You for posting this...fantabulous!
1 year ago
daydreamjewels says:
Very impressive! Thanks for sharing ;)
1 year ago
glasfaden says:
Thank you for sharing, Alison!
1 year ago
RetroChalet says:
I love this.
1 year ago
Designedtosell says:
Beautiful work! I pray I will never need his services, but I would definitely choose him if I did.
1 year ago
mylenefoster says:
Thank you for featuring this craft that was virtually unknown to me!
1 year ago
bridenet says:
A beautiful artform.
1 year ago
ElenaMary says:
Loved this ...using eyes in my own art often I found this fascinating!
1 year ago
AnnTig says:
Wow!
1 year ago
dbabcock says:
My nephew has a glass eye. Cool story.
1 year ago
FruteJuce says:
Beautiful eyes.
1 year ago
Venbead says:
as a glass artist I find this video particularly moving. To create art as medicine is truly an honorable vocation. wonderful
1 year ago
IsaArt says:
AWESOME!!!!!!!!! THIS IS REAL WORK DONE BY A REAL PERSON WITH REAL HISTORY BEHIND IT. HOW CAN WE GO MAINSTREAM WITH ACRYLIC WHEN TRUE ART LIKE THIS STAYS IN THE DIM LIGHT!! Beautiful work.
1 year ago
BlueSkyStudios says:
Really interesting!
1 year ago
Lutrick says:
Very cool. I hope he can find someone that wants to learn from him.
1 year ago
UniqueAPeek says:
Truly amazing artist!The eyes are realistic.Thank you for sharing!Linda
1 year ago
infusion says:
So amazing to see this in action. I had a friend in school with a glass eye, due to an accident when he was little (he used to take it out and play with it and freak all the girls out!).
1 year ago
catssoftstitches says:
I love to see when an artist truly enjoys what they do. He does amazing work! I know how he feels about not having someone to carry on the tradition.
1 year ago
thevintagebrathouse says:
An amazing craft. They are so real looking. It is very sad he is the last one. Such a beautiful art form will be lost.
1 year ago
pookdesignz says:
Why aren't there more glass "eye" makers - a very unique skill indeed!
1 year ago
Kinakt says:
It's kind of sad that he is resigned to that fact that his craft, at least in his country, could very well die when he does. He seems to have accepted it and sounds like he enjoyed explaining his process and philosophy, which I did also.
1 year ago
BingoBox says:
W O W !! What an amazing art form - I hope this speaks to some glass folks out there - to pick up the torch an continue on.
1 year ago
vetropod says:
Thanks for sharing, very interesting video! There are actually more people than you might think who make glass eyes - they are much more expensive than their acrylic counterparts, but also much more comfortable as the glass doesn't soak up moisture from the body and is less irritating as a result. A few years ago, I met another German (much younger than this one!) who earns his living in Hawaii making glass eyes.
1 year ago
glusk says:
fascinating and so beautiful. this has me thinking of my granny who has an artificial eye. it really makes a difference to her whole life.
1 year ago
TheOnly says:
A bit creepy, but very interesting!
1 year ago
JanelDudleyBeads says:
Great glass feature, I'm a huge fan of eyeballs! Wish I could go learn from him!
1 year ago
fleurdelacey says:
This was truly amazing to watch!
1 year ago
WoodlandCottage says:
Sad to see an art form dying out--unfortunately, even for artists, it's innovate or die. Fortunately, for some, there is Etsy, where one might bring an older art form to the public's attention and thereby keep that form alive. Thank you, Etsy!
1 year ago
vjeric says:
I love the style of this video
1 year ago
WoodTone says:
I love it!!
1 year ago
OhSoRetroVintage says:
very cool
1 year ago
Asianexpressions says:
Amazing!
1 year ago
TheMaKuCollection says:
They are SO realistic!!! The process is a little bit like Lampwork bead making. Fascinating!
1 year ago
dogzillalives says:
I want some! Nice post.
1 year ago
DarwinsDress says:
Wow, the eyes are beautiful!! Incredible to watch the process! Amazing
1 year ago
marysgranddaughter says:
Amazing:) Thanks so much for sharing!
1 year ago
thepapermoonstudio says:
Incredible! Beautiful!
1 year ago
kim1960 says:
My husband has an artifical eye - childhood accident. Years ago his eye was glass but now made of plastic - lighter in weight than the glass and so a bit more comfortable to wear. This is quite fascinating to me of course. It is a shame that it is a dying art.
1 year ago
coolstuffartgallery says:
Interesting!
1 year ago
SassyFrassShop says:
I would love to have tea and biscuits with this guy. This is mind blowing and the work is beautiful.
1 year ago
FunkyFriendsFactory says:
What a wonderful article - there's art in every walk of life - some just more fascinating than others!!!: )
1 year ago
sarahmerrill says:
Very cool- I work for an Optometrist, however, I have yet to see an actual prosthetic eye.
1 year ago
spartasoap says:
This is wonderful and his work is so beautiful.
1 year ago
BinkysFudge says:
so awesome!
1 year ago
Rebestein says:
This is amazing! In elementary school I had a friend whose dad wore a glass eye. he had different sets, so my friend used to bring them for show and tell. We all played with them during recess. I bet his dad did not know about that!
1 year ago
KettleConfections says:
A lost art, wow- this is fascinating!
1 year ago
pompandplumage says:
Thanks so much for featuring this dying art! This was my grandfather's career :)
1 year ago
dkjewels says:
Brovo Etsy! and Super Bravo Jost Haas What an artist!
1 year ago
SugarCubeVintage says:
fascinating video!
1 year ago
kmariedesignz says:
Awesome video!
1 year ago
kmariedesignz says:
Very interesting!
1 year ago
AlbertinesCreations says:
Amazing story and video. It is great that he truly cares for his clients.
1 year ago
sunkae says:
***I had never imagine how to make eyes!*** ;-))
1 year ago
bound2last says:
My mum had a glass eye... certainly got me wondering about this much lost craft- pretty sure standard heathe service eyes wouldnt be this amazing!! Great stuff!
1 year ago
KittyLampwork says:
I love this. Very moving. I create for other artists, but to create for someone as a prosthesis is incredible.
1 year ago
treasurebooth says:
That's amazing to watch, how seemingly effortless it is for him. Sad to think how glass has been replaced by so much plastic. My hope is that there will be a huge, sweeping glass revival in the future and people will use it again because it's better for the environment and let's face it, it's much much prettier!
1 year ago
jstephens13 says:
What an honorable art. I am so proud of your tradition and craft as if you were my own father. Truly people are blessed to get a new "look" at the world through one of your eyes! Blessings, Jen
1 year ago
LivingVintage says:
Interesting. My grandfather had a glass eye as a result of an accident. Something designed for the beholder, rather than the wearer in a sense.
1 year ago
Ellisandre says:
I hope this wonderful man finds an apprentice. It makes me happy that somewhere in the UK, in a small space somewhere there is an old German man lovingly making glass eyes for people... Beautiful.
1 year ago
SunspiralAutumn says:
Thanks for the post I love learning about the obscure!
1 year ago
SepiaLepus says:
Wow! I'd love to learn how to do that. Really fascinating video.
1 year ago
JingleDingleDangle says:
My stepfather, part Cherokee, lost his right eye as a child, his dominant eye was most superior to the eyesight of many. Quite the accomplished hunter, baseball player, golfer (as well as the man of party) one eventful evening (after the standard 36 holes) my parents hosted the "after golf day" dinner and unfortunately, my stepdad had imbibed one too many, he passed out in the powder room, a fellow golfer/guest/Doctor, discovered him and unfortunately, ascertained his "state of non-being" from a "less than clinical" observation of my stepdad's "glass eye" Needless to say, many a joke & laugh were had at the Doctor's expense. So many wonderful great skilled crafter's are being replaced by technology driven substitutes. As far as I am concerned, "the substitutes" will always be categorized, never quite able to master the art, craft, skill & precious imperfections of the essence of man.
1 year ago
myvintagecrush says:
Wow, very cool! Loved this post!
1 year ago
bboyce says:
This was wonderful! Both my parents are from Germany and my dad is an optician. He has his dad's glass eye, I've always been facinated by these beautiful works of art!
1 year ago
JulieNolan says:
Great story! Thank you for sharing this.
1 year ago
CarlaJPureArt says:
My grandmother has to get her eye removed this week, thinking about it makes me a little sad, especially knowing that she wont have the benefit of having a finely crafted eye she deserves, like these.
1 year ago
TrulyAesthetic says:
Wow...that was so touching to watch. It's beautiful to be able to create what you love with your own hands especially when it helps the livelihood of others...
1 year ago
AmberGypsySky says:
How beautiful and delicate that work seems...a shame he has no apprentice.
1 year ago
HeatherRaeCreations says:
HOW AMAZING!! I LOVE HOW CAREFUL HE HIS WHILE MAKING THEM
1 year ago
Paper2Roses says:
Amazing!
1 year ago
MariaMAFMH says:
This is beyond words, I just feel admiration for this man.
1 year ago
spoonringheaven says:
Unbelievable! He is beyond my hero:)
1 year ago
VinylAffliction says:
This is amazing. I wish I lived in Britain. I would carry on the tradition and be honored to learn the art of making glass eyes. I have a friend that opted to have her eye removed a few years ago to eliminate migraines and I know she had issues finding a quality eye.
1 year ago
BambuEarth says:
Wow, that was awesome. I'm inspired.
1 year ago
TheVinylChalkboard says:
This is incredible!
1 year ago
Domestik says:
what beautiful work
1 year ago
SteveZissou says:
How does one get in contact with this man? I would love to apprentice for him and learn his craft to carry the tradition on.
1 year ago
Moyalazyfactory says:
wow...little bit creepy, but also beautiful.
1 year ago
FoundAngel says:
impressive for sure!
1 year ago
1848jewelry says:
Great article! Super cool!
1 year ago
slipshodsally says:
I'm lucky enough to have my great grandfathers glass eye...I keep it on the curio shelf. People think its creepy, but I like it.
1 year ago
lizblackman says:
Mesmerizing. Thank you for sharing this very cool story.
1 year ago
poorjimsvintage says:
how inspiring. What a gorgeous craft.
1 year ago
chenali says:
Amazing, its nice to show this story and I do hope that the art style does go on because honestly plastic eyes might be the new thing... but nothing like beautiful glass to make things better :)
1 year ago
FirstPageDesign says:
That is very interesting story, specially for me cause my job is related with optometry.
1 year ago
vintagemaison says:
My dear mum-in-law lost an eye to cancer as a young woman. When she died years later, we discovered several glass eyes tucked away in a box. The glass eye she wore was so well-made, my husband had quite forgotten she was blind in one eye. Love your work and long may it continue.
1 year ago
tuckooandmoocow says:
A truly fascinating article! Thank you so much for sharing!
1 year ago
EldoradoSoap says:
Incredible, thank you for posting.
1 year ago
bloomsburygroup says:
Wow! Very interesting & informative! Thank-you.
1 year ago
ikabags says:
This is really amazing !
1 year ago
AtticRaiders says:
A fascinating article about an even more interesting art. He reminds me of my swiss watch repair instructor whom I'm apprenticing under that was like a little boy with a sweet when I asked if I could learn the repaircraft from him - so animated with joy and relief! I sincerly hope Jost Haas finds an apprentice to teach.
1 year ago
Pipkyn says:
It's great this is still going on, albeit the last one. I feel really proud as a brit that it's happening here too, it's so important we keep these old crafts alive. Well done Jost!
1 year ago
Guitarpickman says:
Pretty neat
1 year ago
ampeefyed says:
If I ever needed an eyeball. :)
1 year ago
borobomb says:
Thank you for posting this! I would love to see more of what he was doing. As a flameworker, I am amazed at the detail of the iris that these guys achieved.
1 year ago
GreenDial says:
wow cool i never knew what glass eyes were for or how they were made. this was inspiring
1 year ago
jameslais says:
Wow! I would love to spend a day or two watching this guy.Great post Alison!
1 year ago
gemgemz says:
Wow this was such an interesting video thanks etsy! I am in awe of his technique and skill but still sad that no one will be continuing his art form in the future. :(
1 year ago
InsomniacArts says:
Truly stunning... I hope he finds an apprentice to share his skill with.
1 year ago
couturebunny says:
thank u for posting this video. it was fun to watch. he needs an apprentice pronto, so this art form won't die out!! CC
1 year ago
ktowersphotography says:
great !
1 year ago
Bluebelldesign says:
this is such a beautiful video. I'm fascinated with the delicacy of the work and the gentle way he expresses his work and his sadness at being one of the last. A true gentle man.
1 year ago
CreaBirdsCreations says:
What a great worker, hope he finds an apprentice with the same love for eyes.
1 year ago
CarelessCards says:
Oh my good! Thats so awesome! How much does an eye costs?
1 year ago
OliveLongstocking says:
Amazing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 year ago
maaretsinkko says:
truly beautiful art by a true artisan
1 year ago
kathyjohnson3 says:
Truely an art form! What a great article, so sad it's a dying art form! Very interesting
1 year ago
karoart says:
easy to fall in love with beautiful eyes like this;)
1 year ago
inTheSilverRoom says:
He seems like a nice guy and those eyes are just beautiful.
1 year ago
NsewFabrics says:
Beautiful Eyes... What an art. Very Very NICE !!!
1 year ago
ReCultivation says:
Quite lovely to see the process of this dying art. I learned something new.
1 year ago
angrysafer says:
Very neat! It's kind of sad that it seems to be a dying art. I'd love to see some sort of tutorial.
1 year ago
Fashionitsa says:
Amazing video! Very interesting.
1 year ago
ZomBEANIES says:
simply inspiring(:
1 year ago
MoonflySilver says:
Really interesting. Imagine how astonished I was to discover he lives just down the road from me! Small and amazing world :-) I wonder if he'll let me be his apprentice!
1 year ago
KDemARTe says:
Absolutely amazing talent! Very interesting story as well, I do hope he can continue his art!
1 year ago
andrea0503 says:
Just amazing!
1 year ago
richkid927 says:
Income is high since the industry's been monopolized
1 year ago
nine18glass says:
Incredible!
1 year ago
MorningGloryCrochet says:
Very cool! I'd always wondered how these were made and had always imagined a large pharmaceutical facility, so neat!
1 year ago
BijoDesigns says:
Amazing & such tedious talent! Teach me!! I'd LOVE to learn & take over!
1 year ago
streetnoodles says:
so interesting and sad...there is something sad about letting an artform die
1 year ago
ohbabydotcom says:
Really amazing : )
1 year ago
DivineBakingSupplies says:
I actually have two prosthetic eyes...love the article!
1 year ago
wearaddiction says:
amazing & detailed work
1 year ago
scattyartist says:
Astonishing and beautiful..I am meant to be working but I was captivated!
1 year ago
thebeadgirl says:
crazy weird and incredibly interesting! thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
deilesmith says:
I was impressed by how real my acrylic prosthetic looks-as is everyone else, but this guy is amazing! As an artist I feel this is truly an art form.
1 year ago
CrabappleVintage says:
So beautiful and interesting to see how they are made.
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
amazing
1 year ago
studiopainters says:
super eyes.
1 year ago
gingergirl113 says:
Lovely video. Thanks for sharing it!
1 year ago
ChloesCollars says:
Wow, how interesting!
1 year ago
awinthrop says:
Very beautiful and sad at the same time. It's a shame that the art of making glass eyes is such a dwindling art form. Thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
clevernotion says:
Kudos to shooting this on 16mm. A dying art form of its own!
1 year ago
HeartOfGlassDesigns says:
No words can convey what we all feel about this piece. Far beyond just a medium but a true, soon to be, lost art. It's in these instances that I long for the slowing of time ~ too bad that his work will end with him. Very provocative. Thank you
1 year ago
mildajlingerie says:
Thank you for video... it is a bit sad to see those eyes in the boxes..
1 year ago
ChristinaRomeo says:
WOW....super cool story, thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
MouseTrapVintage says:
This is uncredibly fascinatingm, Alison! Ironically, I was reading this when I got the news that my boss is in the emergency room with a damaged cornea... I think I will wait till she gains some perspective and a sense of humor about the situation to share this article and video ... haha
1 year ago
sarahhornik says:
Really enjoyed this video!
1 year ago
heliocyan says:
Wow, thank you so much for sharing this! I love seeing/reading stories about unusual people and professions, makes a great change to all the mainstream! :)
1 year ago
PleasantPeninsula says:
Fascinating! What a skill.
1 year ago
KMalinka says:
Superb video! Interesting story!
1 year ago
kawaiiculture says:
I really hope that someone will find him and learn the craft from him so that it can be passed down! Those eyes are beautiful!
1 year ago
CynicalGirl says:
A true artist! I have watched the process of making prosthetic eyes from resin--not glass. The glass is amazing. But what I remember most vividly was use of very fine red silk thread to add the blood vessels on the surface of the eye. Truly inspiring video clip. Thanks
1 year ago
sojooriginals says:
Very cool!!! He is an amazing artist - Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
theuglysweaterstore says:
Beautiful, touching story. I love to see snippets of real people doing a real craft. Glass eyes always remind me of A Tell Tale Heart
1 year ago
MaBille says:
Absolutely fascinating. Sad too. I am not sure why, but I would definitely prefer a prosthesis made by a artisan like Jost Haas, made just for me, than a molded in series one. I watched the video thinking...''if I were there, I might want to become his apprentice and carry on''. Very interesting.
1 year ago
bhangtiez says:
Amazing! Thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
acuriousbrood says:
A fascinating craft. Beautiful and strange. I dearly hope he gets the opportunity to pass his skill and wisdom down. A shame not to.
1 year ago
FunksByRaloo says:
Wow!
1 year ago
QueenBeeKnits says:
My grandmother had a glass eye. I didn't know it until I found a drawer full of glass eyes that she had outgrown after her death. They are oddly, beautiful creations.
1 year ago
frommylifetoyours says:
wow is all I can say
1 year ago
Amellias says:
Very Cool!
1 year ago
steampunksisters says:
Very cool !
1 year ago
titecaro says:
there is some presious objects that we never think at the person who made these. Thx for sharing
1 year ago
SilverFiend says:
Fascinating artist!Thank you for posting this article- and i have plans to make some jewellery incorporating such eyes :)
1 year ago
TheComplimentShop says:
Fascinating, thank you.
1 year ago
Legacymixedmedia says:
Really enjoyed watching this man perfect his art. Thank you!
1 year ago
WaddleandMoo says:
Really enjoyed this, thanks for sharing! Will have to share on my little blog:www.thelovebiscuit.com...thanks so much!
1 year ago
barbiesewandsew says:
I love them I would love a set of brown
1 year ago
old2newmemories says:
Great article, congrats.
1 year ago
3sevens says:
Interesting. I've been cyber hunting fake eyeballs for the last two weeks. I ended up ordering cheap acrylic ones from China. These glass ones are way cooler.
1 year ago
sugarthree says:
cool!
1 year ago
tfamily5 says:
Such pretty eyes you have.
1 year ago
Starrbeads says:
wonderful short. So many incredible craftsmen are endangered species..Love this info ..Thanks!-Rachelle
1 year ago
LoveButtons says:
I'd never really thought about how a glass eye was made. It looks like a very skillful and intricate business. Fascinating video.
1 year ago
vintagehillbillies says:
very interesting, especially since I face the prospect of an artificial eye in the next few weeks. Cancerous Melanoma of the retina. Had no clue there were glass eyes available, only acrylic shown to me. Of course I doubt insurance companies pay for a "piece of art" to go into your eye. :)
1 year ago
futurowoman says:
Very awesome! I saw a similar piece on "How it's Made" some time back, and marveled at the extraordinary craftsmanship involved to make these important devices.
1 year ago
Stringcycle says:
I loooove this. Makes me want to take up a new career :)
1 year ago
jolucksted says:
Really incredible skill and knowledge of a craft...I love it when someone has spent their life specialising in a tiny and bizarre field! Each individual eye is a work of art and a thing of beauty...hmm, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
1 year ago
ringbinder says:
Wow! I wonder how he getts the glass eyes to look like that. All the detail that goes into them is amazing! Great blog!!
1 year ago
pinkbijou says:
Amazing!
1 year ago
TipsyTimeMachine says:
Gorgeous, the ability to mimic the detail of real eyes is amazing. I had a coworker who is missing an eye and he wears a white acrylic shell. He said that he tried a glass eye long ago but found it heavy and very cold to wear in winter. Since there is less stigma these days in looking different and disabilities are more excepted he doesn't feel the need to hide the fact that he only has one working eye.
1 year ago
Experimetal says:
works of ART!!!!!
1 year ago
FamaraDesigns says:
Amazing and interesting
1 year ago
ChapeauxNoir says:
Truly a skilled trade. Such delicate and intricate work.
1 year ago
BrianneAlana says:
amazing!a very interesting art.
1 year ago
Sahetah says:
Technological advances does take away many things and causes what we had once cherished to become redundant and forgotten. Such an amazing skill to have, it is sad to see it passing.
1 year ago
breadandroses2 says:
As mentioned above, this art as medicine is incredible and somehow humbling. Thanks so much for this unusual cameo!
1 year ago
PrettyEpic says:
It was kind of a sad story. When I wasn't thinking about his personal story of why the craft may die, my mind wandered to who might need a prosthetic eye and why.
1 year ago
SewMuchMoreDecor says:
Wow that is amazing!
1 year ago
Mattamorphis says:
I want a glass eye fascinator. Can anyone make that for me:)
1 year ago
lavenderlemon says:
i want to start collecting !!
1 year ago
girliepains says:
hahahah!
1 year ago
DeLuka says:
...a fascinating craft. I'd love a dish full of them to simply admire!
1 year ago
mandymoomoo says:
Beautiful
1 year ago
juln says:
Neat, I have some glassblowing friends who make these. It's like a specialized type of implosion pendant. Nice choice for an article!
1 year ago
juln says:
(I don't mean make the actual glass eyes, of course - they use these techniques to make eye marbles and pendants).
1 year ago
thestapeliacompany says:
What the what?! This is amazing. I love these videos.
1 year ago
JujuBySarah says:
Wow, what a trip! I'd love to see one of his patients getting fitted. Thanks for this story.
1 year ago
TheMillineryShop says:
It is interesting what he said in the end. And true. Children no longer go into a parents business or profession in the way they did in "days of old" That sense of carrying on in the family name is pretty much gone from this world. He is sad that his daughter chose to do something altogether different. So did mine and I understand. Fascinating too. glass must be much more sanitary than plastics.
1 year ago
beadweaver says:
Prosthetic eyes have been so popular in art over the past few years. Most of the eyes i see are either vintage or animal glass eyes. Nice to know someone is still making them.
1 year ago
annasee says:
Thank you for sharing this amazing man's profession! Please continue to feature these stories of these kinds of dying arts. Thank you Etsy!
1 year ago
yogiodie says:
you rock alison
1 year ago
DarkEuphoriaDesigns says:
Amazing artistry and such skill! By day I'm a certified mastectomy fitter (among other things ha). I love prosthetics for what they can do for a person's self-esteem. I hope he carries on for a long time.
1 year ago
MollyPolk says:
amazing.
1 year ago
terryroseJewelry says:
Love the art of glass making. Where can these ne purchased?
1 year ago
GollyBard says:
Truly amazing!
1 year ago
polkadotsandblooms says:
Wonderful feature. Wonderful craft. Wonderful for Etsy to discover and show :-)
1 year ago
bluebeeinatree says:
Wow... it's so beautiful that this man has dedicated his life to perfecting an art that brings comfort to others. The Blaschkas (father and son who made glass scientific models in the late 1800s early 1900s) used glass in a similar manner to create scientific models of flora and marine invertebrates. To this date, no one has been able to duplicate their technique. You can see their glass flower collection at the Harvard Museum of Natural History and it is breathtaking.
1 year ago
rubisartnmore says:
Interesting, I like posts like this where I learn things that otherwise, I would probably not know. Thank you!
1 year ago
SweetpeaofLondon says:
Wow what a great man and very unassuming. How skillful and beautiful is his craft.
1 year ago
CheekyLemur says:
It's nothing that I'd ever had cause to think about before, I'm amazed to learn that the eyes were blown glass and not solid.
1 year ago
Saturations says:
It floods my memory with my Grandfather who used to takehis glasseye out at night and keep it beside his bed. It seemed such a simple thing - it is great to see how they are made.
1 year ago
jvizzacco says:
Sad to think art forms like this could simply end without being passed down another generation.
1 year ago
withlovebunny says:
very fascinating!
1 year ago
TubeHeaven says:
what an incredible craft.
1 year ago
Ningswonderworld says:
incredible art form, not only amazing craftmanship and also helping so many others who need it.
1 year ago
ArletteMichelle says:
outstanding..
1 year ago
juln says:
CheekyLemur says: It's nothing that I'd ever had cause to think about before, I'm amazed to learn that the eyes were blown glass and not solid. ------------------------------------- They end up solid of course, but you use a blowing technique to make them. I used a similar technique for a lot of the pendants sold in my shop, too. It's called a 'tube implosion'.
1 year ago
SharCraft says:
This really interested me. A year so so when making my polymer fairies, I was looking for small eyes, and the glass eyes is what I decided upon.. Your talent is a rare one. I enjoyed your interview
1 year ago
rubisco says:
What an extraordinary video. My employer has a prosthetic eye - she lost it when she was 12 to a rock thrown on a playground. Yet she taught herself to sew, raised two children, runs a bridal business, plays on the roller derby team and is one of the most beautiful and inspiring people I have met in years.
1 year ago
Nicole000 says:
Does this man still make these eyes? There are becoming really popular now in the doll business. I would LOVE to buy these kind of eyes. I constantly struggle to find the best realistic human ones.
1 year ago
Jenifer Liput from OceanBeachGlass says:
what an amazing man and inspiring story of glass that is seldom known or seen. So much attention to detail. a labor of love in art. Thank you
91 days ago
Pitsanu Rodkate from iMonkeyShop says:
A perffect craft. I have some small glass blowing, you can see on my shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/iMonkeyShop Thank.
73 days ago