Orbix Hot Glass, Fort Payne

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.