| Angela's Presents Creating a Christopher Radko Ornament |
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Millions of Americans have discovered something extraordinary in Christopher Radko ornaments. Their radiance and originality makes them more a work of art than an ordinary holiday decoration. It is no wonder that Christopher Radko ornaments are among the most popular collectables in the United States. Each design is crafted by hand using centuries old processes that require seven days to complete. Cottage workshops in Poland, Italy, Romania, Germany and the Czech Republic produce the ornaments, finials and garlands that are a part of Christopher Radko’s collection. More than 3,000 craftspeople skilled in glassblowing, carving, mold making and hand painting contribute their talents to Christopher Radko designs. Once a design is conceived, it is submitted to a carver who works from clay or plaster. The carver then gives the approved piece to a mold maker. Using a Renaissance era technique, a sand cast mold is created from molten metal. This becomes the mother mold, and the ornament making process can begin.
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On
the first day of production, the glassblower creates
the ornament using the mother mold and clear tempered glass,
used by Christopher Radko for its strength.
Other ornament makers have used lower grade glass, increasing
the risk of breakage. There is a noticeable difference in the
weight of a Radko ornament, making it more solid to the touch.
On
the second day, the ornament is injected with
liquid sterling, another process done by hand. The silvering
gives the ornaments their luminescence and, once again, sets
them apart from other glass decorations.
On
the third day, the base coat of matte lacquer
is hand applied: the white on a snowman, for instance, or
the red on a Santa. The following day, the fourth
day, a second coat application of lacquer adds the
ornament’s other vivid colors.
On
day five, fine details are hand painted, like
the eyes on the Santa and the tiny seeds on glass strawberries. With painstaking care, artisans take the ornaments from the
realm of decorations to pure works of art. These personalized
touches create the charming variations in each ornament that
make it a one of a kind heirloom.
On
the sixth day, a dusting of glitter is applied
to give extra sparkle. 
