One of our best selling products are our Harris Tweed & Tartan pocket droppers and we'd like to share a wee bit more about the talent behind the fabric.
Harris Tweed is a hand-woven fabric that is renowned for its quality, durability, and unique style. It is made using pure wool from sheep that are raised in the rugged and remote Scottish island of Harris and Lewis. The cloth is woven by hand on traditional looms, and it is the only fabric in the world that is protected by an Act of Parliament. Now governed by the Harris Tweed Authority the fabric and weavers are a protected asset to Scotland.
image courtesy of The Harris Tweed Authority www.harristweed.org
The history of Harris Tweed dates back to the 18th century, when the islanders started weaving the cloth as a means of providing clothing for themselves and their families. Over time, the fabric gained a reputation for its high quality and unique style, and it became popular with both locals and visitors to the island. Today, Harris Tweed is known around the world as a luxurious and high-end material that is used for everything from suits and jackets to home décor and of course an exceptional enhancement to our glassware..
One of the most interesting things about Harris Tweed is the way in which it is made. The wool is hand-sheared from the sheep, then cleaned, carded, and spun into yarn. The yarn is then dyed using natural dyes made from plants and lichens that are found on the island. Finally, the yarn is woven into cloth on traditional looms, with each weaver using their own unique patterns and techniques. The result is a fabric that is not only beautiful and durable, but also completely unique.
Given the long-standing tradition and quality of Harris Tweed, it's no surprise that other luxury brands are finding ways to incorporate it into their own products. That is why here at Angels' Share Glass, we specialise in handcrafted. We are inspired by the way in which whisky is made and the unique flavours that it produces similarly to the making of Harris Tweed and artform of Scottish craftsmanship in both glassmaking and textiles..
Image The Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides
One of our most popular products is the Whisky Water Dropper, which is designed to allow whisky drinkers to add water to their whisky with precision and control. The dropper is made from hand-blown glass and is decorated with a Harris Tweed ® pouch, hand stitched and made to measure, which adds a touch of luxury and elegance to the product.
The Harris Tweed used in Angels' Share Glass products is sourced directly from weavers on the island of Harris and Lewis and finished right here in Central Scotland by our associate Mairead Hume Harris Tweed Golf Collection. We work hard to establish relationships with like minded businesses and to ensure that they are paid a fair price for their work. We also make a point of using sustainable materials and production methods, which helps to minimise the environmental impact of our beautiful whisky glass products.
The link between Harris Tweed and Angels' Share Glass is a perfect example of how traditional craftsmanship can be used to create unique and high-quality products that appeal to modern consumers. By combining the time-honoured tradition of Harris Tweed with the innovative design and production methods of Angels' Share Glass, we have created a range of products that are both functional and beautiful. This in turn helps to support the weavers of Harris Tweed, ensuring that the unique skills and traditions of this remote Scottish community continue to thrive.
Alongside Harris Tweed We have also created a wonderful rich and vibrant Tartan. The Whisky and Water Tartan used by Angels' Share Glass is a custom-designed tartan that was created specifically for the company. The tartan was designed to reflect the colours and textures of whisky and water, as well as the landscape and traditions of Scotland.
To create the tartan, Angels' Share Glass worked with a local weaver and textile designer, Clare Campbell of Prickly Thistle. Clare has many years of experience in creating tartans, and she worked closely with us to develop the design.
The process of creating the tartan started with a consultation, during which Karen and Tom discussed their vision for the design. They wanted a tartan that would reflect the colours and textures of whisky and water, as well as the landscape of Scotland and the legend of The Angels’ Share. They also wanted the tartan to be unique and to reflect the values of their company.
Based on this consultation, Clare created several design concepts for the tartan. These concepts included different colour combinations, patterns, and textures. The team reviewed the concepts and provided feedback.
Once the design was finalised by a public vote, Clare worked with a local mill in Inverness to produce the fabric. The fabric is a blend of wool and silk, which gives it a luxurious and soft feel. The tartan is used to create a range of products, including whisky flight trays, pocket droppers and tartan accessories like flat caps, golf club covers and hip flask covers
The Whisky and Water Tartan used by Angels' Share Glass is a unique and beautiful design that reflects the company's commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and tradition.
Find yourself a little piece of quality craftsmanship in our Pocket Droppers and Water Dropper Gift sets. Ideal whisky gifts, anniversary gifts, birthday gifts and whatever occasion to raise a dram to!
