What if you lifted a glass cloche and found a tiny fairytale world hiding underneath? That’s the feeling behind Amber Cowan’s glass cloches, where delicate flowers, colorful baubles, and intricate filigree come together in wonderfully strange and whimsical scenes.
The Philadelphia-based artist is known for her lush flameworked glass assemblages, transforming an everyday material into something that feels almost magical. Her glass sculptures are packed with details, from blooming flowers to tiny decorative elements that seem to have wandered out of a storybook.
But there’s an unexpected twist behind all that beauty. Cowan often works with industrial scraps, vintage pieces, antiques, and other discarded glass. Because many of these materials are no longer being produced, she gets access to unusual colors and designs that would be difficult to find today. Rather than letting these forgotten pieces disappear, she gives them a whole new life.
Lately, Cowan has been exploring glass cloches and coupe-shaped sculptures alongside her wall-based work. The enclosed format makes her whimsical glass art feel even more like a miniature world—you can almost imagine something magical happening inside when no one is looking.
Cowan has several exhibitions coming up, including shows at the Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco and Design Miami. Her work is also currently featured in The Passion of Collecting at The Baker Museum in Naples, Florida.
Her flameworked glass pieces are proof that even discarded materials can become something completely enchanting. Find more on Instagram.
