Press Kit

Photos

Headshots of Lesli and Diane:

Print Quality set of product shots: Download All (105MB)

Individual shots (images are large and may be slow to download):

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Print quality set of photos from our process page: Download all (40MB) Individual Shots:

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Video Footage

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bellaballs by the numbers

bellaballs are hand-blown glass floats, individually made by artisans in the Pacific Northwest. Their designs come from glass artist Diane Hansen and designer Lesli Jacobs-McHugh. They’re meant to add beauty to any beautiful life.

Number of founders:

2 – Diane Hansen and Lesli Jacobs-McHugh

Number of production artists who’ve made hand-blown bellas:

23 (if you count Karl, who really wasn’t much help)

Year founded:

2008

Physical address:

747 South Fawcett Ave, Suite B Tacoma WA, 98402

Phone number:

(253) 627-0183

Price of a classic, signature or custom bella:

$40

Price of a wedding bella

$28

Available colors:

77

Number of colors named after flowers:

10

Number of colors named after liquor:

3 (if you count butterscotch

Average lifespan of a glass float set loose on the ocean:

Many survive for decades. Glass art is tougher than its fragile appearance.

Lesli’s favorite accessory:

A Louis Vuitton bucket bag purchased in Palermo.

Diane’s favorite accessory:

A Swiss Army knife (with corkscrew) purchased in Paris.

Number of years Diane and Lesli have been friends:

10 and counting

Top temperature the glass reaches during the bella birth process:

2,400 degrees Fahrenheit

Number of products sold by bellaballs that are not glass floats:

Zero. We believe in doing one thing and doing it well.

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Bios

Diane Hansen Lesli Jacobs-McHugh

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Eight Quotable Quotes

Why is glass art usually so expensive?

“Glass art is justifiably pricey. Unlike oil painting, you can’t do it in your living room. It takes years of apprenticeships and studios full of industrial equipment. It takes a team of artists to make even a simple piece.” – Diane Hansen

Why is your glass art so affordable?

“It’s affordable only out of our determination to make it so. By focusing only on glass floats, we’ve become really good at making them. Each bella still represents a surprising amount of work and years of honing this crazy, complicated craft.” – Diane Hansen (see our process here)

Why do you only make glass floats?

“We believe in doing one thing and doing it well. And we love glass floats. The fishing float is made of the most fragile of materials, but can withstand the battering of the roughest of seas. And it becomes more beautiful as it goes along, just like we do.” – Lesli Jacobs-McHugh

Why are you located in Tacoma, Washington?

“Two reasons: Tacoma is home. We love it here. And Tacoma is a world-renowned center for glass art, which gives us access to some of the most highly-skilled production artists anywhere. It’s great to be part of such a talented community.” – Diane Hansen

Can you really make a business out of just one kind of product?

“You can when it’s a remarkable product. Ours is. We’re confident that getting a piece of glass art that feels this exotic and looks this beautiful for such a reasonable price point will make our customers want to tell their friends. So far, that’s exactly how it’s worked.” – Lesli Jacobs-McHugh

How do the skills of your two founders compliment each other?

“It’s a remarkable partnership—one I am so thankful for. The combination of my interior design background and Diane’s mastery of the craft of glass art have resulted in pieces that bring beauty to every space and every life event.” – Lesli Jacobs-McHugh

Why does your logo include a fig leaf?

“The fig in our logo symbolizes abundance and prosperity. And figs are delicious. Especially when served with vanilla ice cream. So why not a fig?” – Diane Hansen

What’s the appropriate use for a bella?

“Please use bellas beautifully. bellas look great in the center of a table, decorating a place setting, nestled into a bookcase, stacked in a bowl, resting on a pillow, hidden under a bush, floating in pond, or just about anywhere else a little unexpected beauty might brighten someone’s day. And if that someone is you, all the better.” – Lesli Jacobs-McHugh

Obtaining a product sample

We’re happy to send a sample bella in response to legitimate press inquiries. Please contact via phone, mail or email CharlotteL@bellaballs.com with your request.

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