1776 *NEW* | Houston Llew Spiritile
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, we are excited to introduce 1776 — a new Limited Edition Spiritile celebrating liberty, craftsmanship, and the enduring spirit of American making.
Wrapped around the edges of this commemorative release is the story:
“The sacred fire of liberty is now entrusted to the people.”
— Benjamin Franklin
What makes 1776 especially meaningful is that it marks a FIRST in Houston Llew history. For the first time in Houston Llew history, the glass at the heart of this Spiritile began in their own studio—melted, formed, and brought to life by hand. Fire has always been central to the Spiritile process. Glass and enamel transformed through heat into something luminous and lasting. With 1776, that story begins even earlier—making this piece a true reflection of American craftsmanship from beginning to end.
Handmade in Charleston, South Carolina, 1776 honors not only our nation’s 250-year legacy, but the spirit of creativity, independence, and craftsmanship that continues to inspire every day.
1776 is a Limited Edition Spiritile and will be available to order through Labor Day 2026.
- released June 1st, 2026
- retiring Labor Day 2026
- 8.5 x 5.5 x 2"
- glass enamel on copper, formed around a wood core
Every Spiritile is made painstakingly by hand in Houston Llew's studio in Charleston, South Carolina. The glass is applied to one side of the metal using stencils and relying on precise layering with hand sifters. The piece is only fired once. After firing, a pin is rolled over the enameled metal to form intentional crazing marks in the glass. Although it goes against the medium's traditional teachings, Houston says this technique creates increased light refraction, particularly in the transparent glass.
Spiritiles can be hung on the wall (they look especially impactful in groups), displayed freestanding, and even withstand high humidity, direct sun and covered outdoor environments (we recommend taking them inside during cold winter weather).