Creative and Functional Art, Begins With Sustainable Glass-blowing.

by Marianne Freeman May 29, 2020

Creative and Functional Art, Begins With Sustainable Glass-blowing.

There are numerous processes in the early stage production at our artisan studio which involve recycling at it's most basic form. Take the supply chain of our Movement Collection, where every glass tumbler, glass vase, glass decanter, large sculptural jug, and every glass vessel is born and formed from 100% recycled glass. Empty and discarded bottles once filled with carbonated sugar water or possibly a brewed Carona eventually appear outside of one of our glass blowing studios in central Mexico. The art of glass blowing, known in Spanish as "vidrio soplado" has been perfected in the city of Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico.  You will see many items created from glass as you pass by the numerous shops in Tonala, but it is down the back alleys and side streets where the real artistry begins.  If you are expecting to discover these amazing blown glass items being created in some elaborate studio, keep searching. It is amidst humble surroundings that blown glass appears.  

 

Production within our glass studio is both an intense and well-choreographed process. During our production periods, 10 large kilns are firing literally around the clock at temperatures reaching 1700˚ degrees. The ground of our studio trembles from the force of these large kilns firing at the same time; as about 15 different artisans move with purpose about the studio working with extremely hot molten glass at various stages. 3 to 4 master glassblowers step in at specific times during production to handle the more advanced techniques like mouth blowing, lamp-working, and shaping. Apprentices of the master glassblowers handle the more general of tasks like transporting broken recycled glass from containers into the large kilns. Apprentices also tend to the glass being heated within the kilns all while learning the more tedious and technical talents shared by the master glassblowers. Glass blowing is both an art and a talent that takes years to develop. When you purchase our glassware and pendant glass lighting you are supporting the entire artisan process handled by true artisans which strengthens the community surrounding our studio in Guadalajara Mexico it also helps to keep the culture alive.





Marianne Freeman
Marianne Freeman

Author

Cofounder, Jefa(boss lady), and Team Member at Zenwaro™


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