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Meri Meri Meets Stephanie Summerson Hall
of Estelle Colored Glass
Stephanie Summerson Hall is the founder and creative force behind Estelle Colored Glass, known for its beautifully crafted, hand-blown glassware. Inspired by her grandmother’s antique glass collection, Stephanie has revitalized vintage glassware trends with a contemporary vision. Since launching in 2019, Estelle Colored Glass has gained acclaim for its timeless and elegant designs. Here, Stephanie discusses the inspiration and creative process behind her beautiful glassware collections, which feature regularly in Meri Meri photoshoots and perfectly complement our partyware.
Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind Estelle Colored Glass and how your grandmother, Estelle, influenced the brand?
I was fortunate to grow up just one street over from my grandmother Estelle, and I accompanied her on antiquing day trips from early childhood through college. On these trips, she constantly added to her colored glass collection, and as a result, I fell in love with colored glass. Essentially, I took childhood memories and turned them into a brand!
What was the journey like from the initial idea to launching Estelle Colored Glass? Did you face any significant challenges along the way – especially as a female founder?
The journey has been long and difficult, to say the least. Getting the product to market was challenging, but continuing to scale has proven to be even more challenging.
How did you select the Polish glass artisans for your collection, and what was the process of working with them like?
I vetted 30 different glassmakers and struggled to find anyone who could produce the aesthetic and silhouettes I envisioned for the collection. We wanted heirloom-quality pieces, and our glassmakers delivered. They’ve been fantastic to work with and have indulged my ideas – soome of which made it to production and many that didn’t. I was allowed to formulate all 20-plus colors we offer. Initially, I sent them pictures of colors I loved, and we started from there, eventually moving to the Pantone color chart. To finalize a color, I’m usually sent between 10-20 glassware pieces in a range of shades. Often, choosing the color comes down to putting the pieces in the light to see which one is just perfect.
Can you share more about the design process for creating the beautiful colored glass pieces?
The process is largely proprietary, with numerous intricate steps involved in creating each piece. It was truly amazing to visit our glassmakers for the first time in the summer of 2022 and see the process from start to finish up close. It’s wonderful to hear customers say they love the weight of our pieces and how they feel against their lips. All these details really give them a luxury feel, which is exactly what we set out to deliver.
Your pieces are described as “jewels for your table.” What makes them so?
They bring sparkle, color, and glamour to a tablescape. I like to think of our pieces as statement jewelry. My favorite color is lavender because it’s so unexpected in glassware. Who could forget the aunt or special friend who sends lavender pieces from our collection to celebrate a wedding or another special occasion? Holding a lavender coupe, to me, parallels wearing a cocktail ring. Our pieces are amazing statement accessories.
How has your grandmother’s legacy shaped the way you approach your business and design your products?
Hard work and treating people fairly are ingrained in how I approach business. She had memorable Sunday dinners. They were amazing gatherings with family and friends, featuring huge, delicious meals, and the best pieces came out of the china cabinets to adorn the tables.
What are some of your favorite pieces from the collection, and what makes them so special to you?
My favorite pieces are our cake stands and champagne coupes because they have the most beautiful silhouettes.
Do you have any plans to expand the product line or introduce new collections? What can we expect in the future?
Yes, we have plans to expand in the future, but this year is all about scaling the beautiful collection we’ve already built.
What advice would you give to aspiring creatives who want to launch a luxury brand or build a business inspired by personal passion?
Do your due diligence, go slow, and let the creation justify expansion. Quite frankly, some ideas will not gain traction and it’s okay to move on to the next thing.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in business?
No matter how hard it gets, keep pressing forward. Wake up each morning, get out of bed and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
How do you think we can all encourage and support female entrepreneurs?
We need access to capital and community – these are the two most important things.
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