Annieglass

Handcast slumped-glass tableware made entirely in Watsonville, California, founded in 1983 by Annie Morhauser and now produced by a 26-person team in a 16,000-square-foot studio with two pieces in the Smithsonian's permanent collection.

Founded

1983

Headquarters

Watsonville, California

Founder

Annie Morhauser

Ownership

Family-owned, founder-led

Production

100% handmade in USA

Studio size

16,000 sq ft

Volume

50,000-70,000 pieces per year

Signature

Roman Antique — 24kt gold-rimmed

The story

Annie Morhauser studied glass at the California College of the Arts (then Arts and Crafts) in Oakland, fell in love with the craft of glassmaking, and started her company in 1983 with a self-funded kiln and a developed technique she calls slumped glass — window glass cut into shapes, hand-painted with 24-karat gold or platinum, then kiln-fired in ceramic molds until heat and gravity drape the glass into the form. The first pieces, her signature Roman Antique line, took the technique to its first trade show that year. They are still in the catalog more than four decades later.

The company has been family-owned and operated since founding. Morhauser's daughter Ava Reinhold has gradually taken over operations, allowing Morhauser to focus on design and special projects. Production moved from a 400-square-foot rental in Santa Cruz to a converted Seventh Day Adventist warehouse in Watsonville in 1996, where it remains.

What they make

Tableware is the core: dinner plates, chargers, platters, bowls, serving pieces, and dessert/appetizer plates across 24 collections. The Roman Antique line (24kt gold rim on slumped glass) is the brand's defining product. Other lines include Edgey (hand-chipped edges for an organic, crystal-like look), Mod (rounded, dipped-metal edges, contemporary minimalist), and Ruffle (popular especially in the Southern market).

Annie Morhauser introduces new pieces twice a year and maintains an ongoing studio practice in glass sculpture — large abstract pieces with gold and platinum streaks, distinct from the production tableware. Two of her sculpture pieces are in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Luce Foundation Center.

How they sell

Distribution is through 25 independent sales representatives across the U.S., supplying high-end specialty retailers, bridal boutiques, museum stores, and luxury gift shops. The brand operates a wholesale showroom at AmericasMart in Atlanta. Notable hospitality and institutional accounts include the Vatican, Ritz-Carlton hotels, Post Ranch Inn, Bellagio, Four Seasons, Neiman Marcus, and Saks. Annieglass is regularly used by the White House.

The Watsonville studio runs free public tours every Friday and Saturday at 1:30 PM, and the on-site retail shop sells first-quality production along with discounted seconds. The Craftbar maker space, added in 2019, runs day-long glass-decorating workshops.

Why they're worth knowing

For specialty retailers selling at a luxury price point — especially bridal, museum stores, and high-end gift shops — Annieglass occupies a category that has very few credible alternatives. The combination of made-in-USA, handcrafted, signed-by-the-artist, and durable enough for dishwasher use is unusual. The price point is high but justified by the production reality, and the brand's bridal-registry presence sustains long-term repeat purchases.

The Smithsonian permanent-collection placement and 40+ year track record give the brand a credibility that helps a buyer position it confidently to a customer making a $200+ tabletop purchase decision.

Where to find them

• Website: annieglass.com
• Studio & retail: Watsonville, California (free tours Fri-Sat 1:30 PM)
• Showroom: AmericasMart Atlanta — Building 2, Suite 930B
• Sales representation: 25 independent reps across U.S. territories
• Trade show presence: Atlanta Market, Las Vegas Market, NY NOW

Profile based on public information from Annieglass's official site, the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Luce Foundation Center, Craftsmanship Magazine's interview with Annie Morhauser, and Good Times Santa Cruz. Updated August 2025. Return to all profiles →