I was inspired by my recent story on shoes still made in the USA and came up with the idea to research and feature more US-made products between now and Christmas. According to ABC-TV, for every additional $3.33 each American keeps in the country, we would create an additional 10,000 jobs. The first place I went to look was the Vermont Country Store. Alas, I did not find as much American-made houseware as I was expecting. But, their site did help me discover this lovely company — Mosser Glass, based in Cambridge, Ohio, which produces lots of vintage-style glassware including from original molds. Aren’t these cake stands pretty?
How about these glass hens? Everyone’s granny had one of these – for sure for sure. These two items – cake plates and hen dishes — represent just a small sampling of Mosser’s extensive line of glassware — with many gift ideas possible.
Here is what Thomas Mosser, owner, says about the origins of his company on their website’s About page:
The origins of Mosser Glass go back more than half a century to the time when my father Orie was the plant manager of the Cambridge Glass Company. I began working there as a teenager, learning the trade the right way, from bottom to top. When Cambridge Glass closed in 1954, I decided I wanted to continue in the glass business with a company of my own. It took a while for a young man just starting in life to put together the elements necessary to do that. I spent five years buying glass moulds, searching for used equipment I could afford and saving money. In 1959, I was finally able to begin manufacturing glassware in, of all places, an abandoned chicken coop. Things worked out and within two years, I was able to leave the coop and form Variety Glass, producing glassware for the pharmaceutical industry.
I had decided from day one that I was committed to manufacturing quality glassware and I feel that brought us continuing success. In 1971, I established Mosser Glass. Today, we employ over 30 people in an efficient manufacturing process configured to provide the highest quality glassware for our customers. Our product line mixes new designs with timeless classics acquired from Viking, L.G. Wright and, of course, Cambridge Glass.
I am also proud to say my family continues to operate the company. Georgianna, my wife, brings her love of antiques to the design of original pieces. My son Tim is the plant manager, and my daughters Sally and Mindy oversee the office. This mix of generations brings new ideas to the company without the loss of the traditions our customers cherish.
My family and I are proud of the legacy that my father Orie began. As you look through the following pages, you will see we continue that legacy, blending beauty and fine craftsmanship in every piece of glassware we produce. We hope it brings you as much pleasure as it brings us.
To see the complete Mosser Glass line, you can open this PDF, which is also available on their homepage.
Where to buy Mosser Glass? One place to start is Amazon — and if you buy via my links, I get a little spiff. For example:
- Mosser Glass cake plates on Amazon
– looks like there’s a great selection.
- Mosser Jadeite on Amazon
- For glassware, candlesticks and some other pieces, try Vermont Country Store.
Hi Pam, I can’t comment about made in America, but I can say about made in Australia what with living here – and I just found this site http://www.designfurniture.com.au/our-products/ – all this furniture is made in Australia and there are styles that suit many styles of 1940s through 60s decor as well as contemporary. In particular the ‘Danish Retro’ collection is to die for! And no I have no connection to the company or anyone who sells this furniture, but it would certainly be my ultimate Christmas present. And probably the same for any of your readers out here in Oz! (More realistically however there’s beautiful ceramics by Robert Gordon, made in Australia, which would not be out of place in any retro kitchen.)
All Americn Clothing Company and a website called Still Made in the USA
I posted an earlier comment, but I don’t see it. This maybe a repeat post
allamericanclothing.com. Work clothing made in the USA.
Love your site always, and especially love this topic as my husband and I try to exclusively buy things made in the US. I know Fiestaware is still made here and some other glass companies as well. Pendleton makes some things in the US. Look forward to seeing what other companies are still in the US. Also, always good to support the people making and selling things on Etsy.
Very interesting. I’d never heard of Mosser before. My wife just took a cake baking/decorating class, so maybe I’ll get here a nice cake stand.
holy, cow! those cake stands are GORGEOUS! the colors are to die for. pam, thank you for (yet again) finding another great source for your readers. and thank you for embarking on a “made in the usa” quest as well.
i am so glad that there was an article about this website in my paper! i have been devoted ever since and often think “i wonder if i can find it on ‘retro renovation?’ ” when looking at options for my house.
I own many of the Mosser chickens in a range of sizes and colors. My grandmother used to give me one every year for Easter. Milk glass, carnival glass, bright turquoise and yellow/red are colors I have not pictured.
I adore the glass hens! I think I might need a purple one… thanks, Pam!
Those cake stands are indeed gorgeous. One of my favorites, Heath Ceramics, still produces their work out of Sausalito.
Heath Ceramics. Beautifully classic mid-century design dinnerware. It’s not inexpensive, but it is very well made by a company that seems to be run in an ethical and responsible way. Located in Sausalito, California. I’m hoping that Retro Santa will leave a few pieces under my tree this year to start my own set.
How about wearable art handmade in my California home? I am among thousands of etsy artists committed to upcycling/repurposing humble materials from thrift stores and yard sales in our neighborhoods. These would otherwise have ended up in the landfill. My clothing appeals to rogue romantics, grown-up idealists in search of whimsy, and corporate-weary cubicle escapees wanting to declare they’ve had enough of gray suits.
Here’s an example:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75696292/black-skirt-red-roses-applique-lace
Thanks, Scrollwork. I’ll probably do a post on etsy at some point…
Please PLEASE tell me that they are marking any glass items that are made from old molds so that the old glass is distinguishable from the new glass…….When I think Indianna Glass re-issued the Amber Madrid depression glass and refused to mark it as new, it totally destroyed the collector market for the glass
I have a green chicken dish that looks like that. Also a square clear cake stand that looks identical. It is the American pattern (the original) Fostoria, made in Fostoria, Ohio, way back when. Received many Fostoria pieces, including twelve place settings, for wedding gifts in 1955 and still use them. Perhaps troysf and his siblings will be interested in some of these some day.
I have no idea about my grandmother, but my mother certainly had one of those chickens. Two actually, one milk glass, one orange/gold carnival glass (wish I still had either one). Those are wonderful. I’ve never seen so many colors – though being a purist I probably wouldn’t buy a purple chicken. lol
Having been given a couple of pieces of ‘antique’ colored glassware years ago, I was shocked when the color eventually peeled off. That did not enamor me of ‘colored’ glass. I checked the website and Mosser seems to fire the color in, not overlay it.
I believe I’ve seen those Jadeite style cake stands at Rejuvenation. I had no idea they were made in the USA! I’ve always wanted one, though I certainly don’t need another cake plate. lol
It’s about time people started buying merchandise within our own country. There was a time we would never have considered doing otherwise. I know that it isn’t easy in this day and age when nearly everything is outsourced, but it can be done.
I agree about Etsy. In this computerized day and age I’m often surprised by how many people have never heard of it. There are so many wonderful items to choose from, not only upcycled/recycled, but new handmade jewelry and other artwork by some very talented artists (even a few well known artists).
Okay, I’ve spotted a pair of red pumps that say ‘Made In America’. Now i have to go and check out that link. It’s an evil cycle. lol
Curious because of this article, I did a Google search to find a whole website devoted to companies that still make women’s clothing in the USA (some, if not all). Probably not inexpensive, but what a novelty to have it made right in our own back yard.
There’s a store in Venice, Cali that sells these cake dishes. I took a bunch of pics when we were there a couple weeks ago. I’ll upload them and link them over. Some really cool stuff, but man is it expensive.
I love that glassware. Traveling through central Ohio east of I-75, you run into so many reminders that Ohio used to have major glass works throughout the area. Well, Libbey is still there in Toledo, of course.
I love the classic pieces offered by Mosser. I may just have to score some of that jadeite.
I had an interesting conversation at the local big box home improvement store yesterday. I was looking for router bits & told the salesman that I didn’t want to buy the Still ones because they were made in China. He laughed & said, “Everything is made in China, you can’t avoid that!” like I was being a silly little girl to care about such things.
Yeah, I left without buying anything. I can get USA-made router bits … online, for about the same price as the made-in-China ones that looked poorly finished.
I think a cake stand is going on my wish list for the holidays
Along with some more router bits.
Glass was also made in the Poconos-Mountains area of Northeastern PA, where NJ & NYall meet.
STILL AVAILABLE AND STILL MADE is Gillinder Glass of Port Jervis NY: http://www.gillinderglassstore.com/Gillinder.htm
Lamp bases, heart boxes, vases & decorative items, including a very cool Buddha figurine can be ordered from their on-line stopre.
Available only to see in a museum setting (at a beautiful Wildlife Sanctuary) is Dorflinger Glass of White Mills, PA: http://www.dorflinger.org/glass_museum.html
Check out our Made in USA Certified Holiday Gift Guide and Pledge!
http://info.usa-c.com/2011/11/20/2nd-annual-made-in-usa-holiday-gift-guide-mindful-gift-giving-2011/
Thank you, Julie. I’m checking out your site and guide right now… and see from twitter etc. a bit about all the great work that you do!
OH MY GOSH! I want it ALL!
Made in America gifts… they make beautiful pottery and glass here: http://giftshop.thehenryford.org/
The Henry Ford is the greatest. You can go there and watch the people make the glass and pottery and printed items. Detroit Historical Museum has printed items also made on site.
Thanks, Elaine – I’ll take a look at their website.
I see on Mosser’s website that they offer tours of their factory. We live close enough that we’ll have to go check-it-out some time. I love seeing how things are made. Also, I think I need those cake plates in every color! They’re soooo pretty.
Oh my goodness! My grandmother had some of those hens. She had a huge collection of ceramic and glass chickens and roosters.
Lehman’s non-electric store in Ohio sells a lot of U.S.-made stuff. Their customer base seems to be Amish or Mennonite; they have something like 12 pages of lamps. You can’t get electric mixer beaters there, but you can find all kinds of (non-electric) kitchen implements and a really swell emergency crank radio.
Two separate thoughts:
1) Big, big love from me to you for giving me the search term vaseline glass. I knew jadeite and milk glass but “funny chartruese colour…” just isn’t a good search term.
2) If you make me say things like “I need, I need, I need a green chicken dish!” my husband may eventually realize I am totally bonkers. What are you doing to my marriage, Pam? Please blog responsibly!
Pam: Thanks for the great features. Here in Seattle, we have a great company, glassybaby, that makes wonderful hand blown votives and glasses. Please visit my blog at simply-american.net. I have loads of posts on great American manufacturing firms and like you am doing a Made in America top ten holiday gift list that people can use to find gifts for their immediate family while also providing jobs for members of their extended American family. Keep up the great work Pam! All the best, John Briggs
Libby glass is still made in Toledo, OH.
Look for the label – as some is made out of the states, but some is made in OH.
Oh – also Zippo lighters are made in the USA. I saw them at the checkout at Walmart for $9. – made a note to myself to go back and get some for stocking stuffers for the guys.
Simplicity vacuums are made in the USA
Wow! Love the Jadeite, thanks, Pam! I will say that we’ve been to Cambridge countless times (hit the Trails Family Diner for a yummy burger) and didn’t even know Mosser Glass was there. Next time we’re through, I’m going to keep my eyes peeled—a factory tour would be fun! (Yes, hoping there’s a gift shop on site…) If we manage to pop in at some point, Pam, I’ll be sure to give you the scoop and some photos.
Also…please don’t forget other site populated by artists and designers making stuff in the USA, like ArtFire and Bonanza. American-based production is alive and well, you just have to look for it (and not even too hard!)!
As a gift boutique owner, I can tell you that the easiest way to buy American products is to go to local small businesses and ask the salesperson (almost always the proprietor) what items in the store are Made in America.
I know the story behind each of the gifts in my store. Who makes the soaps on their Virginian farm, pours the soy candles with her mom in Ohio, creates the jewelry in Upstate NY… if it’s made in China, Russia, Austria, Nepal, I’ll let you know; because if you trust me, you’ll be my customer for life.
Thank you, Pam, for the Moser Glass link! I’m glad I was able to find it again! I sent it to a friend when it was first published because she was opening a chocolate factory and I thought the glass cake plates would be just the thing for her shop! Well, it’s finally opening on Feb. 18th, and remembered I’d sent her a link to “pretty glass plates.” again! She needs them now, but was just “browsing” then!