How Marbles are Made
Marble making has a colorful history that melts together characteristics of creativity, manufacturing, craftsmanship and business. Marble making requires many of the same technical skills used in other industries. Craftsmen learned to blend the various glass and mineral elements. Entrepreneurs invented the tools to create marbles more consistently and in greater volumes. Marbles are still mass produced, but not in the high volumes of the 1950's. People who love marbles have more choices now about which kinds of marbles to buy. There are mass produced marbles and unique marbles made by hand. The entrepreneurial spirit that built the first marble companies is still alive today, as you will see in the accompaning videos on this page.
Artist Marbles
Winlock Marbles
Cory Anderson is a self taught marble maker based in winlock washington. His marble sets are highly sought after for their nostalgic appeal and quality craftsmanship. Collectible winlock marbles are available at www.winlockmarbles.com and on Ebay.
"I have always been fascinated with these little orbs we call marbles, but who isn't?....they have a mystique about them……..everyone loves a marble & everybody you talk to has a marble story! Winlock marbles have reached all corners of the globe. Making marbles & talking to people from around the world brings me much joy, the same joy shared by the collectors of my little creations." -Cory Anderson
Universe Marbles
gateson recko is an expert who creates miracles in glass.
"My artistic career has been driven by a desire to not only explore new concepts in glass but also to explore the furthest reaches of our universal imagination of outer space. This theme has been present in my work since I first began experimenting with glass at the furnace and continues to be the inspiration for my work today on the torch. With the knowledge that space travel beyond our solar system will not happen in our lifetime, I have chosen to create an infinitely imaginative world of time and space within the confines of a marble. I dedicated my energy to refining my design and improving on a sense of hyperrealism as a small but active group of contemporary marble collectors took notice of the new form of borosilicate marbles being crafted. The marbles I create are called “universe marbles” and they range in size from ½” to a whopping 4” in diameter. Borosilicate glass is the perfect material for this because of the high heat capabilities, the availability of optically clear glass and the way in which fine silver and 24k gold interact with the glass. Form, craftsmanship and above all originality have always been of the utmost importance to me as I explore space, time and art. To see and learn more please visit my website, www.universemarbles.com." - Gateson Recko
Mass Produced Marbles
There are companies that mass produce marbles.