From , Gay Fad produced 1, designs spanning a wide variety of glassware and barware styles, each one a joyful expression of technique and talent. In addition, many custom projects were produced for various clients across America. Gay Fad Studios was founded by Fran Taylor in Detroit, Michigan in before she relocated the business to Lancaster in The studio painted glassware by hand, with various designs.
It. Between its founding in and closure in , Gay Fad Studios was known for its artful, mid-century modern glassware adorned with colorful geometric patterns as well as caricatures and imagery that not only broke new ground in design but became highly sought after by collectors. Gay Fad Studios was an American vintage glassware brand based in Michigan.
Instead of manufacturing items, the company decorated other brands’ merchandise. It became a world-renowned design company during the mid-century barware heyday. The original Gay Fad Studios was a nationally-successful company founded by Lancaster-resident Fran Taylor, a trailblazer in the glass making industry. From here, Gay Fad would become an influential force.
Want the secondhand scoop? All photography, new and archival, are the sole property of Gay Fad Studios. Krista Montelpare is a freelance writer based in Nova Scotia and the founder of vintage shop Cellary. I wanted to know more about the company, so in I posted an ad to see if any former employees would share more about the company's history," McGrady said. The revival of Gay Fad Studios has reignited enthusiasm for mid-century glassware in the area and beyond, building a lively community of collectors and enthusiasts across generations.
Together, the instruments unify to make a symphony of glass. From seasoned collectors to younger homeowners seeking vintage authenticity to people shopping for wedding, birthday and housewarming gifts, Gay Fad has become a cultural hub. Their space is both a storefront and a museum, displaying new collections for every bar cart combination: short or tall, flat or fizzy.
Among the iconic names of the era, one brand is now making an inspiring return after decades out of production — Gay Fad Studios in Lancaster, Ohio. The original building sat vacant and continued to weather across the decades.
Product is not available in this quantity. The lower level served as daycare and after work recreational space for employees. The partners, always happy to share their expertise, encourage new collectors to send them a message with questions or for help in identifying vintage Gay Fad finds. Gay Fad often created glassware sets that complimented popular dinnerware sets of the time.
Gay Fad would send buses out to bring in women artists. Butcher was a prolific artist that created many Gay Fad designs. She sold them to three department stores in Detroit, Michigan and delighted customers with their beautiful decorations. Her untimely and tragic departure from the glassware industry left a remarkable void. Coordinating items would include a variety of glass styles. Secondly, outsourcing items presented quality control issues.
From , Gay Fad produced 1, designs spanning a wide variety of glassware and barware styles, each one a joyful expression of technique and talent. After the war, women no longer worked as a patriotic duty, but pursued work for their own reasons. One year later, Fran experienced a significant car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury.
The painted details provided a glossy contrast in brilliant colors. She had a showroom on Fifth Avenue in New York, there were sales representatives everywhere while the studio was active, even in Cuba," McGrady said. Your Cart.
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