| Christopher Radko Glass Ornaments |
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| 11/4/09 Greetings customers, Many new excellent items are being offered on eBay. Look for great holiday collectibles and other items to jump-start the holiday season. Expect more in the next few weeks! Sign up now to receive exciting information about new products and promotions! SAVE! We will ship up to 11 ornaments (comparable size and weight) for only $11.99 (includes handling, insurance, packing costs). SundryDrop SignUp |
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History of Christopher Radko Mouth-Blown Glass Ornaments
The creation of Christopher Radko ornament production began in 1984 when Radko tried to replace his families tried and true but well-used, rusty Christmas stand with a new aluminum one. After hanging over 2,000 unique, mouth-blown European ornaments on a 14 foot tree, each with a story that was part of the family’s many holiday celebrations since the late 1800s, very much a diary, the stand collapsed. Almost every ornament was shattered, taking with them many cherished family memories. Heartbroken, Christopher Radko was determined to replace these ornaments.
However, Christopher soon realized that most of the ornaments available in the US at that time were mass-produced items, often of synthetic materials. Little was available that demonstrated the craftsmanship and intrinsic worth comparable to those that were destroyed. It seemed that the lost ornaments were irreplaceable.
When he visited cousins in Poland the next spring, Christopher continued his search for the ornaments. While he was unable to find exact replacements, he met a man who was able to revive the art of producing mouth-blown glass ornaments. This artisan produced authentic mouth-blown pieces using ornament molds and also drawings of recollected favorites provided by Christoper. Chritopher brought back several dozen of these recreated ornaments, but they never made it to the family tree. Rather, friends in New York enthusiastically purchased them.
Christopher brought back more ornaments when he next traveled to Poland, both for his family and for sale. He soon recognized the potential demand for these creations. While working as a mail clerk in a talent agency, he used his lunch hour to convince stores in New York to sell his creations. Amazingly, he was able to realize $75,000 in sales through George Jensen, a jewelry store.
Since then, Christopher Radko’s business has grown to over 3,000 accounts. His glass ornaments are sold through major, high-end department stores and retailers throughout the company. His artistry has been featured in the White house, other important public offices, as well as having been collected by celebrities, including Barbara Streisand, Katharine Hepburn, Maria Shriver and Swarzenegger.
In 2005, Christopher Radko celebrated his 20th Anniversary. His ornament creations have grown into a major industry that has transformed how holidays are celebrated. No longer being limited to just Christmas, ornament collecting has become a yearlong passion. Indeed, while Christopher Radko has become known as the “Czar of Christmas”, he is more accurately the “Czar of Celebrating” life’s many special occasions.
Chistopher Radko's following grows daily. He is known as a kind, gracious man who has contributed substantially to charity causes and always makes time for the collector. He travels throughout the US to meet collectors and sign their pieces, always welcoming collectors with a smile and taking a genuine interest in their displays and in their lives. His story is one of an exemplary successful American entrepreneur and humanitarian. | | | |
| How Christopher Radko’s Ornaments are Made
Following the conception of a design, a carver creates a model from plaster or clay. Once a model is approved, the mold maker uses Renaissance era techniques to produce a sand cast from molten metal. The mouth-blown ornament making process is then begun using the mother mold and the mold is destroyed once the ornament is retired or after production of a limited number is completed. Creating an ornament requires at least seven days. The use of tempered glass increases durability, and the glass is lined with silver to produce a luminescent effect. Every detail is then hand-painted. The final product is a timeless work of art that is worthy of beind passed down through the generations. | |  | | | |
|  | | Taking Care of Radko Glass Ornaments
Cleaning your ornaments with a feather duster is one of the best ways to help guarantee that your Radko glass ornaments will endure for generations. Since water based lacquer and paint is often used, avoid using water, detergents, and glass cleaner, or other chemical solutions.
Protect your ornaments from extreme temperature changes and humidity, conditions that too often are present in un-insulated and unheated places such as attics or basements. Prepare the storage area so it is suitable to store the ornaments. Avoid displaying or storing ornaments in direct sunlight that can cause fading. Wrap them in microwaveable paper towels, acid-free tissue, or cotton batting, storing them in sturdy cardboard boxes or plastic trays with secure tops.
Given proper care, mouth-blown glass ornaments will last indefinitely. Many collectors prefer using artificial trees, as well, not only for environmental concerns, but also to minimize scratching and bruising of the ornaments. | | | |
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