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Orbix Hot Glass, Fort Payne

4.9
#6 of 10 in Things to do in Fort Payne
Gift & Specialty Shop · Hidden Gem · Shopping
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In 1972, Cal Breed was born to an artist and an engineer. This combination of the expressive and the critical laid the framework for a life coursed by grasping to bridge the seemingly dichotomous. After years of studying the beauty of the ocean and its life and almost finishing a degree in Marine Biology at Auburn University, Cal’s heart was burdened with the need to be expressive with his hands. Bowing to that burden, he began to study the arts. Having such a quiet demeanor, he sought for a material that inherently spoke boldly and clearly. In 1994 Cal found glass – first in assembling stained glass windows and finally to glassblowing.

After years of study, Cal opened a private studio and gallery, Orbix Hot Glass, atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. Today, Cal leads a team of glassblowers who hand-craft each piece with great attention to form, balance and color. The goal—to make honest, excellent work that someone would invite into their life.

People always ask “Where did you get the name Orbix Hot Glass?” In glassblowing, the gaffer must always keep his pipe turning, or orbiting, otherwise the piece won’t get made the way it was intended. In a similar way, Orbix exists because of Cal’s personal orbits and their intersection with many other personal paths along the way: engineering and artist parents who instilled a great love for how to make things well and beautiful; world-class glass artists who taught skills to make ideas real; and three kids who inspire hard work. Like the name, Orbix strives for distinction in glass.

Glass art is what we were intended to do, and it would not be possible without those of you who appreciate it as well. We are so glad our paths crossed.
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Orbix Hot Glass reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
53 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • Beautiful glass pieces with very friendly employees. We felt very welcomed. Watching the glass making process was really interesting. 
    Beautiful glass pieces with very friendly employees. We felt very welcomed. Watching the glass making process was really interesting.  more »
  • We Made an ornament for our anniversary. You Get to pick the colors and help make it. Staff was very friendly! Reasonably priced! 
    We Made an ornament for our anniversary. You Get to pick the colors and help make it. Staff was very friendly! Reasonably priced!  more »
Google
  • Wonderful experience! Every employee we encountered was super nice. We did the ornament making and it was great. You get to choose two colors for your ornament. The little store is nice and a perfect place to buy a unique gift for someone. I see a lot of comments about pricing being too high but I think pricing was very reasonable.. It's art. The cherry on top was the pup who lounges around the shop!
  • This is a special place. A beautiful drive through the mountains will bring to to this unique in the country. Nicely decorated on the outside with checker boards and rocking chairs with a wonderful view. You do have to make an appointment and it is a great day trip for schools and Churches. They easily accommodated our group of 12. The process is well planned and executed. Everyone gets to make an ornament while the others watch. Truly fascinating this process. If you don’t want to make your own ornament you can purchase one in the gift shop. There is everything from glass candy canes to beautiful bowls you can buy. I would say, yes, take friends and family and enjoy!

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