Rich Arentzen

"We create glass ornaments thorugh harnessing traditional Scandinavian handblown techniques."

AO Glass aims to sustain the culture of craftsmanship in Burlington, Vermont- literally keeping the fires burning. As a diverse team that interweaves tradition with eco-friendly practices, the company has become a frontrunner in revolutionizing the way we view glassblowing today.

AO Glass ornaments are created using traditional Scandinavian hand-blown and hand-sculpting techniques. Glass is forged in 2000 degree furnaces and is stamped with unique embellishments during the finishing process.

In 1990, with inspiration from Rich Arentzen's aunt, Glenda Arentzen (a jeweler) and her partner Rick Harkness (a prominent glassblower), he was led to the National School of Glass in Orrefors, Sweden, where he met his wife and business partner, Tove Ohlander. They opened their first studio in 1998 near Oslo, Norway, and they are now celebrating 18 years of operating AO glass here in Burlington, Vermont.