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.
Read all about Mosser Glass on their website.
Where to buy Mosser Glass? One place to start is Amazon — note: 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.
Jenny says
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.
fraujoolie says
Made in America gifts… they make beautiful pottery and glass here: http://giftshop.thehenryford.org/
Elaine says
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.
pam kueber says
Thanks, Elaine – I’ll take a look at their website.
Chris says
OH MY GOSH! I want it ALL!
Julie Reiser says
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/
pam kueber says
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!
Susan K says
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
EngineerChic says
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.
Elaine says
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.
Joe says
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.
Carole says
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.
Carol Litten says
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.