“All of my work is based around the old-fashioned idea that glass is a rarefied and special medium that deserves exceptional attention,” says Alison Berger. Having studied glass blowing for more than 25 years, Berger uses a time-proven, and time-consuming, process to create her art. The hand is used in every stage of the process – the drawing, the forming, the blowing, the finishing and the etching. In addition, Berger personally inspects and signs every piece. She uses no molds or form constraints to shape her pieces, so each fixture and object she makes has its own unique characteristics as a result of the organic nature of glass.  The material qualities of this process will sometimes result in small air bubbles and actual tool marks, which are desirable evidence of the artisanal process.

Berger goes through an intense prototyping process with each piece she designs. Only when she is satisfied with the form and understands the acceptable variables that might occur in the hand-blowing process does the piece become part of her collection. Berger';s pieces revel in the unique and unpredictable qualities of glass and Berger is fascinated and always surprised by her medium. Experimenting with different techniques, she constantly pushes glassblowing to its limits. “It is the material and the process that are my inspiration. I don't like dressing the glass up; I leave it to speak for itself,” she says.