Orient & Flume Artists
Jeff Howell
Glass engineer, designer & artist Jeff Howell received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of California in San Diego and his Masters from UC, Santa Barbara in Physical Chemistry. He became interested in art glass, while manufacturing chemical instruments and performing the task of scientific glassblower, which dealt with distiller apparatus and test tubes.
After earning his masters, Jeff wanted to become proficient in this field so he traveled to Germany, and joined the trade union, "to serve a three year journeyman as a glass instrument maker". Upon Howell's return to the United States, he started his own glass business in San Diego designing art glass pieces that were " confined to a period of that time". It was during this period Jeff visited Orient and Flume, joining the company as night "batcher" in 1978. With his knowledge of chemistry, Jeff worked long hours experimenting with the formulation of glass and has been primarily been responsible for the beautiful quality of glass at Orient and Flume.
Our original and unique colors notably separate our art glass from other designs. In 1988, Jeff "discovered" Pink glass, a revolution for Orient and Flume's vases and paperweights. "I enjoy seeing styles and quality of glass improve. I deal with the physical characteristics of glass, making sure that the glass fits together. Glass has to expand and contract the same so it can fit together." The integration of many colors requires that they be chemically compatible, an achievement that requires Jeff's expertise.
Besides being responsible for the color combinations and their formulas, Howell also manages to find time to design pieces of his own. Jeff designs and produces unique miniature iridescent vases for Orient and Flume.