Community: In Conversation with Amanda Dziedzic of Hot Haus
You may already know Amanda Dziedzic of Hot Haus, but this time we're taking a closer look at the making of Honey. One of Coco Flip's earliest collections, Honey has been part of our range for many years. We're continually inspired by the skill, care and collaboration behind each piece, and the specialist makers who bring our designs to life. We step inside Hot Haus to explore the process behind the collection.
A Morning at Hot Haus
A typical Honey production day begins well before the glassblowing starts. Colour is prepared the evening before, ready for the following morning, while the studio is brought up to temperature and the previous day's work is unloaded from the annealer.
The annealer, which sits at around 515°C, allows the finished glass to cool gradually overnight. Meanwhile, tools are prepared, moulds refreshed and workstations set for the session ahead.
By the time Amanda and Laurel arrive, everything is ready to go.
The making process is a carefully coordinated sequence. One maker gathers the coloured glass, heats it and introduces the first bubble, before adding a layer of clear glass and passing it to the gaffer – the person leading the glassblowing.
From there, the form is gradually inflated, shaped and worked into the mould. With an assistant operating the mould and another preparing the next gather of colour, each person has a role to play.
Once the shape is established, the finished piece is broken from the pipe and transferred to the annealer, where it will cool slowly overnight.
Amanda describes the process as a dance — “Everyone knows the steps, and when everything is working in rhythm, it's a beautiful thing to watch.”
No room to hide
The simplicity of the Honey design is part of its appeal, but it also makes the making process particularly demanding.
As Amanda explains, there is nowhere to hide. With such a pared-back form, every detail is visible, and even the smallest imperfection can become apparent.
Bubbles in the coloured glass, for example, need to be carefully monitored, while the moulding process requires precision to ensure the surface remains clean and consistent, particularly across the distinctive flat face of each light.
It's a balance of experience, technique and attention to detail, with quality control happening throughout the process.
The result is a collection where the subtle variations of hand-blown glass sit alongside a considered and consistent form.
A shared appreciation for making
For Amanda, Honey is a particularly rewarding project because it allows the Hot Haus team to work in their element.
As production glassblowers, the collection offers an opportunity to settle into the rhythm of making, drawing on their experience and working together as a team.
Having worked with Kate and Haslett over many years, Amanda also speaks warmly of the relationship between the two studios. She admires Coco Flip's commitment to handmade production and the way the business champions considered design and craftsmanship.
It's a collaboration she feels fortunate to be part of, and one that continues to be rewarding as the Honey collection stands the test of time.