We commissioned local artist Uri Davillier of Neptune Glassworks in DTLA to create special glassware for our 70th anniversary.

 Our custom-ordered Golden Spike glasses. Gorgeous!

Readers of our Design on Tap are a pretty savvy bunch, so we’re guessing you’re already familiar with glass artist Uri Davillier of Neptune Glassworks. And if you’re lucky, like we were, you’ve been able to visit his DTLA studio for an in-person look and to watch some of the pieces being made. Since we commissioned Uri to create 45 pairs of his Golden Spike cups as gifts for guests at our 70th anniversary party, we made a special trip downtown to see the glasses being made. It was hot and sweaty and awesome. What a gift it is for us to be able to work so closely with some of LA’s brightest talent, and our minds were blown as Uri walked us through his process and as we watched glassmaker Sibelle Yuksek create them, one by precious one.

 Uri Davillier with a Golden Spike cup from a set of six. For the large sets, Uri creates a different number of 23-karat gold spikes so you don't lose track of which glass is yours at a party.

 Sibelle and Uri make it all look so easy.

 We rock protective eyewear and let Sibelle mesmerize us with her incredible skill.

“I was dissatisfied with the disconnect between the theoretical and physical systems I was investigating,” Uri recently told Luxe magazine of his studies to be an engineer. “I felt that there was a physicality missing from the things I was designing.” Fast forward to a fine art degree, he’s now crafting profoundly beautiful glassware and dynamic lighting fixtures for design-centric establishments like Otium. He’s also a frequent collaborator with celebrated interior designers, including Kelly Wearstler and Vanessa Alexander. It’s his scientist’s skill and understanding of the physics of light that when combined with glass create something altogether magical. 

 Nearly ready! Our glasses await their golden detail.

 Cheers! The finished pieces are a thing of beauty.

To see more of Uri’s work, stop by his pop-up gallery at the Row. He’s showing with fellow DTLA artist (WH)ORE HAÜS Studios. Two of LA’s best in a single stop—but hurry—they’re only there through July 28th.

And lastly, a huge, huge thank you to Uri for opening his studio to us and letting us spend the afternoon. We had an absolute blast!

Check out our video below, then visit our YouTube channel to see more behind-the-scenes videos!