Bunbury & Co. was founded in 2019 by artist Katie O’Connor with the mission to create beautifully crafted and functional items that infuse everyday moments with ideas and inspiration. Our products are intended for everyday use but are imprinted with designs that spark the imagination and bring the past to life — from the words of a favorite novel to the rich symbolism of the Tarot. Each item in our shop is carefully crafted by hand using artisanal methods and techniques, from sandcarving to wheel throwing, for an heirloom-quality piece that is truly one of a kind.

You can place orders through our website or Etsy shop or find us in person at events in New England. Join our email list to receive our newsletter or follow us on Instagram and Facebook @bunburyandco for shop updates, promotions and giveaways, and event schedules.

About Sandcarved Glassware

Sandcarving, also known as sandblasting, is the process of permanently etching an image into glass using pressurized abrasive. Unlike inexpensive image transfer methods such as decals and screenprinting, a sandcarved design will not fade or wear off over time. It creates a permanent finish that is dishwasher safe and will last as long as the glass itself.

Sandcarving is the preferred method of etching glassware because it produces the sharpest, smoothest, and deepest etch. The majority of etched glassware on the market today is rotary etched or laser engraved by a computer. These are cheaper and faster methods than sandblasting but create a flat, standard surface image that is not as sharp, smooth, or deep. Sandcarving uses fine silicon carbide grit propelled by pressured air to actually carve away the glass, producing much greater clarity and depth for a rich, three-dimensional appearance - you can physically feel the depth of the carving with your fingertip. Sandcarving is more expensive than other methods of glass etching because of the time and effort involved, but it creates a truly stunning, heirloom-quality piece that can be proudly gifted or displayed in your home and will be treasured forever.

How is our Glassware Made?

Our glassware is sandcarved in our studio, based out of southern New Hampshire, with a completely hands-on process from start to finish. Each design starts as digital artwork, which we print onto transparency film and expose onto UV-sensitive adhesive material to create a single-use stencil that is applied to the glass. After carefully masking off the rest of the glass to protect it, we place the glass in our professional sandblasting cabinet, where we use a high-power air compressor and a pressure pot to propel pressurized silicon carbide grit onto the surface of the glass and carefully carve the open areas of the stencil. Once the image has been carved, the glass must be carefully cleaned before it can be packaged and sent to its new home.

Wholesale Requests

We receive many requests for wholesale orders and plan to begin offering wholesale options later in 2022. If you would like to be notified when wholesale options are available, please reach out to katie@bunburyandco.com and we will happily add you to the waitlist!

Custom Orders

We welcome custom orders and are able to sandcarve glass barware, ornaments, plaques, and more with the image or text of your choice. Whether you are looking to create a unique corporate gift, a personalized wedding favor, or something else, we are happy to work with you to bring your ideas to life. Please send inquiries to katie@bunburyandco.com.

Why Bunbury & Co.?

Curious about our name and logo? Bunbury & Co. is named for Katie and Alex O’Connor’s Bernese Mountain Dog x Border Collie mix, Mr. Bunbury, who in turn is named after our favorite play, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. In the play, Mr. Bunbury is a fictional friend who Algernon invents so that he has a ready excuse whenever he wishes to get out of any social commitment, particularly when he would like to escape to the country. He refers to this deception as "Bunburying", and people who engage in it as "Bunburyists". We fully admit to using our Mr. Bunbury as an excuse to turn down social engagements in favor of our creative pursuits. Mr. Bunbury is the dog featured in the Bunbury & Co. logo.

“What you really are is a Bunburyist. I was quite right in saying you were a Bunburyist. You are one of the most advanced Bunburyists I know.”

— The Importance of Being Earnest