a name that works

One of Rochester's well-loved newspaper columnists was Peter B. Taub. He wrote about all sorts of things, but was best known for his pieces on people. He especially loved to connect someone's name and what they did for a living - and would say "now, that's a name that works!"

Our newest artist at JOOLZ, William Glasner of Victor, NY, has a name that works. A glassblower of long standing, he first opened his studio in 1978. He's been part of the Middlesex Folk Art Guild for over 30 years and has had his work exhibited and collected throughout the United States, Canada and the Far East. Formerly creating vessels of carved glass, he now focuses on much smaller pieces that make up his glass jewelry, but the process is still the same.

Traditional techniques are combined in an innovative way to create a historically new bead style Since no two beads are identical, each piece of jewelry is an original work of wearable art.

All the beads are made entirely by hand in his home studio. Hot glass is pulled into long handblown tubes which, when cold, are sawn into bead-sized segments. These are individually carved by hand with diamond wheels using traditional cut glass and Italian "batutto" techniques, then finished with a proprietory polishing or acid etching process. Other components are sterling silver.

We're delighted to have William Glasner as one of our JOOLZ artists, and invite you to stop in to see his very interesting and unique work.

(all photos courtesy of William Glasner)