Manual

Slow moment in the studio

Manual stools are ready and waiting for your 🍑 at .coffee

This summer my family took a multi-week road trip around the eastern half of the US—and our very last “rest stop” on our way back was at an exciting new project called

Located in the Lake Michigan “beach town” of New Buffalo, Farmette is a marketplace, bakery and cafe—with a micro-farm on site. It’s a beautiful one-stop shop featuring all kinds of delicious food stuff from fresh to packaged—as well as some of the Manual glassware line (and they use our flower stands in the retail shop).

I first met Farmette’s founder .burdett when I shared a studio with her brother-in-law Ted—the founder of (who also lives and works in the same area). Katie has an extensive background in the food world, specifically in small working farms—both urban and rural (including the gardens of chef !) Additionally she is also an accomplished digital storyteller—her gardening videos on Instagram are some of the most authentically interesting (and frankly relaxing) content I have ever seen. I’m thrilled to see her latest project manifest into a lovely community space centered around food!

If you find yourself vacationing on the Michigan coast or even driving down I-94 east of Chicago (it’s only 5 minutes off the highway)—I emphatically insist you stop by My family happily loaded up on fresh bread, kombucha, flowers, wine and farm fresh veggies—something we definitely needed more of after multiple weeks on a road trip. Quite certainly the best rest stop of the trip. 💚

Last chance for 30% off! Sale ends at 11:59 on Aug 20th! Orders will start shipping this week in the order they came in. Thanks for the summer support. 😎

30% off all glassware and accessories while the Manual studio is on summer holiday.

Here’s the catch: you just have to be willing to wait until I am back in the studio before I can ship your order. All orders will be packed in the order they were received starting around August 21st.

Hope u get some time away too 😎

Our pitcher will keep 1 liter of your favorite beverage hot (or cold) thanks to its double-walled glass. It works with our Slow System accessories, or you can use almost any coffee dripper. Either way it’s looking good.

30% off during the summer sale. 😎

Our grey mugs strike an uncommon balance of modern form and vintage warmth. Recommended by for their style but also their function: “glass allows coffee to cool more quickly than ceramic, so these mugs are perfect for impatient sippers.” The extra-thick borosilicate glass is durable and can rapid handle temperature changes like a champ.

30% off during the summer sale. 😎

Our straight-sided glasses embody a modern aesthetic—but the grey glass gives them a warm vintage vibe. We call these rocks glasses, but you’ll find yourself using them for everything from cocktails to kombucha. The extra-thick borosilicate glass is durable and can rapid handle temperature changes like a champ.

30% off during the summer sale. 😎

The Slow System tea strainer and a box of Ambrosia Black — 30% off during the summer sale. 😎

Our straight-sided glasses embody a modern aesthetic—but the amber glass gives them a warm vintage vibe. We call these rocks glasses, but you’ll find yourself using them for everything from cocktails to kombucha. The extra-thick borosilicate glass is durable and can rapid handle temperature changes like a champ.

30% off during the summer sale. 😎

Our amber mugs strike an uncommon balance of modern form and vintage warmth. Recommended by for their style but also their function: “glass allows coffee to cool more quickly than ceramic, so these mugs are perfect for impatient sippers.” The extra-thick borosilicate glass is durable and can rapid handle temperature changes like a champ.

30% off during the summer sale. 😎

CHICAGO: pop up at Saturday 12-4. One of my favorite record stores hosts one of my favorite roasters. 🤝

Pick up our pour over brewer and a bag of Ceramic coffee (washed Honduras or Ethiopian natural) — 30% off during the summer sale. 😎

The Slow System uses our pour-over dripper and strainer to brew pour-over, press-style coffee, cold brew, steep loose leaf tea and even mix a cocktail at the end of the day. Perfectly sized for a one-person session, made from lab-grade glass and durable stainless steel—the Slow System is a useful and beautiful way to enjoy all your favorite beverages.

30% off during the summer sale. 😎

The Slow System Pitcher uses our pour-over dripper and strainer to brew pour-over, press-style coffee, cold brew, steep loose leaf tea and even mix a cocktail at the end of the day. Double-walled construction means hot drinks stay hot and cold drinks stay cold—and the pitcher won’t sweat. The cork lid maintains a tight seal for temperature control and freshness.

30% off during the summer sale. 😎

While the Manual studio is empty almost everything is 30% off.

Here’s the catch: you just have to be willing to wait until I am back in the studio before I can ship your order. All orders will be packed in the order they were received starting around August 21st.

Hope u get some time away too 😎

If you’re a retailer looking to sell the Manual glassware line, this is the week to do it: during the market you’ll get discount pricing and shipping promos. DM me for the link to our wholesale shop.

BTW: we offer an industry discount for hospitality too! If you’re a cafe, restaurant or hotel that wants to use Manual glassware, DM me for more information.

OPEN STUDIO & SECONDS SALE
Saturday July 20th 11-4
4432 N Kedzie Ave Chicago

Swing by the Manual storefront studio to check out a massive pile of seconds, samples and discontinued deadstock Manual products priced to move. We’ll also have new prototypes on display and a few more surprises.

This is part of a larger event along with a bunch of other local spots—learn more at

NEW: first prototype for a lampshade design. This project is envisioned as a democratic design for a flatpack paper lamp that is assembled by the buyer at home. Eight die-cut paper sections connect around a wire frame to create a pendant lamp—or a smaller tabletop lamp in future iterations. The vision is to create an iconic line of lamps that can are inexpensive (“within reach”), allow for repair/replacement/recycling, and easy printed customization.

OPEN STUDIO & SECONDS SALE
Saturday July 20th 11-4
4432 N Kedzie Ave Chicago

Swing by the Manual storefront studio to shop seconds and samples at a deep discount, see some new prototypes on display and take 20% off our entire glassware line.

Our event is part of a larger sidewalk sale along with a bunch of other local shops—learn more at

OPEN STUDIO & SECONDS SALE
Saturday July 20th 11-4
4432 N Kedzie Ave Chicago

Swing by the Manual storefront studio to shop seconds and samples at a deep discount, see some new prototypes on display and take 20% off our entire glassware line.

Our event is part of a larger sidewalk sale along with a bunch of other local shops—learn more at

NEW: prototypes for a side table design. “J-legs” create a “mezzanine level” beneath the main surface—suitable for things like stacks of books and magazines for anchoring weight. In this case the mezzanine table is being used as a plant stand and hiding a trash can on the lower level. Who wants to see inside a wastepaper basket anyway? In addition to a flat packed offering, these legs will be sold separately as a DIY project—screw them to any shape of surface to make a bi-level side table, shoe rack, plant stand, speaker stand, etc.

OPEN STUDIO & SECONDS SALE
Saturday July 20th 11-4
4432 N Kedzie Ave Chicago

Swing by the Manual storefront studio to shop seconds and samples at a deep discount, see some new prototypes on display and take 20% off our entire glassware line.

Our event is part of a larger sidewalk sale along with a bunch of other local shops—learn more at

NEW: first prototype for a wall clock design. Six identical laser cut and formed sheet steel “slices” join together to form the oversized clock face. Steel face for magnetic scenarios. Future iterations will involve powder coated colors: think monochrome, multi-color, color-blocking. Shipped in a pizza box.

OPEN STUDIO & SECONDS SALE
Saturday July 20th 11-4
4432 N Kedzie Ave Chicago

Swing by the Manual storefront studio to shop seconds and samples at a deep discount, see some new prototypes on display and take 20% off our entire glassware line.

Our event is part of a larger sidewalk sale along with a bunch of other local shops—learn more at

OPEN STUDIO & SECONDS SALE
Saturday July 20th 11-4
4432 N Kedzie Ave Chicago
Swing by the Manual storefront studio to shop seconds and samples at a deep discount, see some new prototypes on display and take 20% off our entire glassware line. Our neighbor will also be running a sidewalk sale along with a bunch of other local shops which you can see at

Are you on the Manual Snail Mail list? It’s like social media but it comes via USPS. The July 2024 edition will feature the instruction manual/poster for the Studio Stool. Hop on the list through our shop. If you’re already on the list and need to update your address you can do that in the same spot.

From mood boards to bulletin boards, physical pin-up space is an important tool for collecting, organizing and displaying visual work—even in the digital age.

Permanent pin-up spaces on walls can be restricting and leaning boards against a wall feels raw. The Studio Stool allows you to put your pin up board wherever you need it: next to your work table, set up for a meeting or just in the middle of the room.

The Studio Stool was designed to be a DIY project—however a limited number will be made-to-order in the Manual studio. Local Chicago pick up is free and preferred, US shipping is possible on a quoted basis.

The Studio Stool is an informal and flexible DIY design that can hold pin up boards and act as impromptu seating. Inspired by the basic utility of wooden crates and the spontaneity of “rough and ready” stools you see in rural settings or factory floors—The Studio Stool is a utilitarian piece of furniture designed for DIY fabrication.

The plans are open to all or a Riso printed version is available from our shop. (Think of it as tipping your designer, with a free souvenir)