Susan Alexandra’s Pond-Themed Glassware Brings Joy And Humor To Any Dinner Party
"Anybody could use these despite the season. That was a really big part of designing this collection for me as well."
"Anybody could use these despite the season. That was a really big part of designing this collection for me as well."
When I spoke to designer Susan Korn, founder of the accessories and home goods line, Susan Alexandra, she was gearing up to play hostess. "This is my first Passover that I've ever hosted, and it's the first Passover where I've had pieces that I actually created that would be part of the decor and part of the ceremony," Korn says of her newly released Passover Collection, an absolutely delightful pond-themed glassware and linens line for hosting Seder or any dinner party. Amongst the goods include candlesticks of frogs holding up lotus flowers, lily pad placement sets, and a stunning centerpiece bowl adorned by a medley of hand-blown glass fruits. "In a space where [the story of Passover is] very serious, I love adding some humor and levity to it," says Korn.
Susan Alexandra, best known for its array of whimsical beaded handbags and accessories, has made steps into the home space over the past two years with the likes of planters, lamps, and tissue boxes—so the idea of a full-blown glassware collection wasn’t a massive stretch, although the project did come with its set of unique challenges. "The most difficult part was figuring out how to make these items. It’s a totally new category," Korn says of reaching out to various artisans to make this collection work. "The price points are higher; it's a different demographic. It’s a big change for the brand and it was definitely difficult. But the older I get, my priorities have shifted from making things for going out to making my home a place where I want to spend a lot of time," says Korn.
The frog motif in the collection, which was inspired by Korn’s take on the frog plague from the story behind Passover, were specifically designed to be playful enough to be used "year-round for different functions and then kept out on display because they’re funny and joyful and kind of ridiculous. Even if you're not somebody who celebrates Passover, anybody could use these despite the season, the holiday, or your religious background." Below, Korn walks us through some of her favorite home items and pieces from the Passover Collection and beyond, including butterfly taper candles and a vase that would be equally at home in a seaside cottage as it would in your studio apartment.
Queen of Fruit Bowl
Susan Alexandra Queen of Fruit Bowl
This bowl is made with the utmost delicacy and care to details-each fruit is a glimmering, voluptuous work of art. We wanted to evoke old-world craftsmanship with our favorite motif: fruit! I would like to think that a beautiful queen would sip nectar from these upon her throne. Hand-blown glass bowl. Each bowl is extremely delicate and handmade; no two are exactly alike. Please be aware that the bowl you receive may be slightly different than pictured. Measurements: approximately 11" tall, 10.5" wide.
"This glass bowl reminds me of something you would see on the table of a grand dame in Venice, a piece that combines old-world style with my favorite motif: fruit!"
Lotus Wine Glasses
Susan Alexandra Lotus Wine Glass
Not just a stunning, awe-inspiring flower, Lotuses represent the beauty of rising above the mud, coming to the surface, and proudly blooming despite their humble beginnings. These glasses are handblown with utmost care and attention to detail. Featuring a verdant stem, they are balanced with a lily pad-shaped base and a deep magenta bowl. Measurements: approximately 8.5"
"I think this is the most interesting wine glass I've ever seen. It's meant to be a lotus emerging from a lilypad (not that little lilypad base!). It has a really solid weight which makes every glass of wine feel imperial."
Pond Seder Plate
Susan Alexandra Pond Seder Plate Set
A rich, placid pond of glass designed to elevate your dining table. Use it for a charcuterie board, dessert cart, the list goes on! The rich, watery blue makes everything you serve mouthwatering. Handblown glass plate. A set includes our Pond Seder Plate, 5 Lotus Ramekins and 1 Frog Ramekin. Measurements of Seder Plate: approximately 1.5" H x 19" L
"When we set out to create a Passover collection, I wanted each piece to be used year-round. This pond plate is a gorgeous blown piece of glass with unexpected dimensionality. After Passover, it can be used as the ultimate charcuterie board."
Frog Candlesticks
Susan Alexandra Frog Candlestick
Sometimes frogs find themselves at fancy dinner parties and being the courteous guests they are, want to contribute. They do a wonderful job of supporting the aesthetic efforts by holding up candles, thus becoming the worlds leading frog candlesticks. They use a lovely pink flower to hold the candles with extra care. Hand-blown glass candlestick made in the USA. Crouching Frog: approximately 8.5" tall
"These fellas have so much personality and make me LOL. They're trying so hard to hoist those candles over their heads. Bless their hearts!"
Creature Napkins
Susan Alexandra Creature Napkins
Linen napkins featuring some of our favorite garden variety pals: Turtle, Froggy, Dragon Fly, and Mrs. Snail. Featuring special beaded details throughout. Measurements: 17"x17" 100% cotton with beaded detail. Machine washable. Each product may have slight variations as they are made by hand.
"These are sketches I did and turned them into linen napkins/afikomen covers for Passover. I will never get over the thrill of seeing my doodles come to life. I love the tiny beaded elements!
Queen of Fruit Coupe Glasses
Susan Alexandra Queen of Fruit Coupe Glass
Sold individually! These glasses are made with the utmost delicacy and care to details-each fruit is a glimmering, voluptuous work of art. We wanted to evoke old world craftsmanship with our favorite motif: fruit! I would like to think that a beautiful queen would sip nectar from these upon her throne. Measurements: approximately 5.5" tall x 4" width.
"Everything tastes better when it's served in beautiful vessels...so basically anything you put in these will taste AMAZING. These are artisan made in the US and remind me of something Marie Antoinette would have sipped from (prior to her beheading)."
Katie Kimmel - Cloudy Afternoon
Katie Kimmel Cloudy Afternoon Vase
A collaborative piece by Katie and Laura Chautin. approx. 10in tall 8in wide.
"Katie is the funniest person on earth and her work is the happiest, funniest, most creative!"
Janie Korn Butterfly Tapers
Lane Backup x Janie Korn Butterfly Tapers
Mirrored candleholder by sculptor Lane Walkup aka Earth to Lane, measuring Around 16" x 8'' tall, holds 2 candles. Handmade butterfly candles measuring around 9'' tall. This item is made to order, expect about 1-2 weeks. Due to the handmade nature of the piece, it will not look exactly the same.
"Janie is my favorite artist. The work she made is one part candle, one part sculpture, one part total fantasy."
Yowie Bit Stool
Yowie Bit Stool
Say hello to the Bit stool! The pixelated surface is made up of small bits of 100% recycled household and industrial plastic. Bit can be used as a pedestal for a floral arrangement, as a side table for a lamp, or as impromptu seating for that unexpected dinner guest. 14.5" D x 16.5" H | Made from recycled plastic | Wipe clean with damp cloth
"This stool is so cool — I want to get a bunch to use as displays at the store and as plant stands in my apartment!"
Santa Maria Novella Vespro Candle|
Santa Maria Novella Vespro Candle
Candles of the hours, special hours that mark the time of day with ritual. Fragrance notes that guide us in this world: Mattino, Meriggio, Vespro and Notte. All Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella’s candles are manufactured in the Via Reginaldo Giuliani facility in Florence with high quality raw materials. Vespro (Vespers): amber, floral and oriental notes for the hour of mediation
"I love these very classic, traditional scents. They scent a room even when they're not burning!"
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