Made in Skaneateles, NY

Snake Oil Glassworks began in 1998 in Skaneateles NY, when a homemade glass furnace was lit for the first time in the garage of its creator, Phil Austin. His thoughts were, “well here we go, if this lasts six months I can at least say I tried.” That furnace lasted seven years, by the end of which, the glassworks was moving into a newly built studio on the hill next to the house. The new studio went up in 2004. t that time, our original furnace, or “old number one”, as she was known, was shut down, seemingly for the last time*. A newer, larger furnace took her place when the new Hot shop came on line in 2005.

That original shop was only about 350 square feet in size. The furnaces shared the space with all of Phil’s woodworking and metalworking tools, it was dimly lit, cramped and got very hot when the furnaces were up and running. Back then all of our work was sold either on the road at Art Festivals or through galleries. We would occasionally hold an open house in the garage above. Since building the new studio, most of the things we make are sold right here in the Snake OIl Glassworks’ store and gallery. We have now been more than eighteenth years in the larger studio. It houses our Hot Shop, cold working Shop, Offices, and as mentioned a retail store and gallery where you may see and purchase our creations.

As well as being where we make all of our glass work. the larger studio has enabled us to host events and demonstrations as well. We have performed numerous demonstrations for private groups such as schools and social groups. From May through December each year, we are part of Skaneateles First Fridays whereon we are open in the evenings for a public demonstration. For a number of years, we held our strangely successful and popular “Blowing Red” fundraiser for the American Heart Association on its annual “Wear Red Day”. 

Phil, our beloved but fated leader and stalwart gaffer was at the bench directing the production of all of the studio’s work and training assistants until 2014, when, overcome by his demons, but with the help support of his fiends and caring physicians, he finally came out to reveal that he in reality is and always was, Lorraine: striking, statuesque, (though undateable, they say..) and remains our beloved, and less obstreperous leader.

In addition to producing the work that we sell in our store and gallery, we also work on commissions from architects and designers. Our work has been used as awards by institutions and organizations such as Syracuse University, The Syracuse CEO, and The National Center For Transgender Equality.

* Old number one hung around for years after it was shut down, mostly for sentimental reasons. We used it as a prop in the store and occassionally employed it, filled with ice, to hold cold drinks during parties, until In the summer 2015 when Lorraine agreed to become the glass blower for the NY Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo Park , NY. Lorraine rebuilt its combustion chamber and burner block, then took it to the faire where it served admirably for another five seasons.