In a modest workshop in southern Poland, a family-run company has earned a reputation as 'the magicians of glass' for its extraordinary handcrafted Christmas decorations that adorn the trees of luxury retailers including Harrods, Swarovski, and Galeries Lafayette.
A Legacy of Craftsmanship
GlitterLab, operating from Częstochowa for more than 80 years, transforms festive fantasies into tangible ornaments through methods described as a 'closely guarded trade secret'. Founded by Barbara Mostowska's grandparents after World War II, the business has passed through three generations, evolving from producing glass cigarette holders and tiny flavour bottles to the exquisite baubles coveted today.
'In an age when you can buy anything anywhere for next to nothing, something made from scratch here in a European country, with honest work and thoughtfulness, is truly valued by customers,' Mostowska told The Associated Press.
The Art of Creation
The entirely manual process begins when designers take a client's paper drawing and create a soft clay sculpture, refining it until it perfectly matches the vision. Only then do they select the unique combination of materials—including glass, resin, wood, crystals, and metal—to bring the shape to life.
Mariola Koła, the company's most seasoned designer with 42 years of service, finds her greatest satisfaction when a client approves a design with 'no corrections'. The company's website promises 'the ability to create shapes and designs that glass will not normally take', a testament to their unique artistry rooted in local tradition.
They consider themselves heirs to Częstochowa's artisan heritage, where pilgrims visiting the Black Madonna icon would return home with local souvenirs. 'The techniques we're using can't simply be learned,' the owners claim. 'They need to run in your DNA.'
Jewellery for the Home
This blend of artisanal methods, new technologies, and savvy marketing has proven highly lucrative. Their exclusive 'Yellow Floral Bauble' for Harrods retails at £125, positioning these ornaments as investment pieces rather than seasonal decorations.
Mostowska envisions customers displaying these creations year-round, calling them 'jewellery for the home'. The products often evoke childhood nostalgia, with descriptions for teddy bear figures referencing 'a time machine to a happy childhood'.
Magdalena Kucharska, the customer service representative, notes the inherent joy in their work: 'How can people get upset and be angry or mean when we're talking about Christmas baubles? The fact that we produce a product that brings happiness means these customers are nice too, and it's a very pleasant job.'
In an increasingly automated world, GlitterLab demonstrates that traditional craftsmanship, when combined with business acumen, can create objects of desire that transcend their festive purpose to become cherished heirlooms.
