About
SkLO sits at the intersection of modern California design and centuries-old Czech glass tradition.
We design and manufacture handblown glass lighting and objects from our studios in Healdsburg, Northern California and the Czech Republic. Every SkLO product is made with a deep appreciation for the richness of its organic material and the historical craft tradition it embodies.
SkLO designs demonstrate careful attention to detail, and a commitment to achieving the simplest expression of beauty. This belief in simplicity and design discipline is always balanced by a deep respect for the raw material, and closeness to the maker. There’s an inherent primal brutality and unexpectedness in glassblowing, and in Czech glass in particular. Masters of the craft make manipulation of molten glass appear effortless, as they employ generations of skillful technique. Our designs celebrate this process in their subtle irregularities, making each one a unique reflection of its long history.
Our design team
SkLO was founded by husband and wife design team Karen Gilbert and Paul Pavlak, and visionary Pavel Hanousek. For Karen and Paul, SkLO represented the opportunity to make whole their shared philosophy about craft, while utilizing each of their individual skills. Karen’s as an acclaimed craft artist and metalsmith, whose hands-on work integrated glass; and Paul’s as a trained and practicing architect with a deep belief in the honesty of materials, expression of process, and importance of restraint.
You can’t tell glass what to do.
The unique ability to capture moments in time within glass is what makes the material special.