Glasscraft began in 1970 with the goal of sharing the essential tools, techniques and information with a growing community of glassworkers. Today we're still building on that original purpose as both a supplier of glassblowing equipment and a source of inspiration for lampworking artists and craftspeople.
It starts with a love of the craft. Glasscraft was founded by Homer Hoyt, a flameworking pioneer who literally wrote the book on the subject (Glassblowing, An Introduction, 1970). Homer was an influential teacher and artist who wanted to help the glass trade grow beyond its secretive, ancient traditions; now the company continues to fulfill his wish by offering workshops and educational opportunities, along with the raw material and tools needed to advance the art form.
When Glasscraft joined forces with Dave Winship and his company, Winship Designs, in 2009, we gained the participation of not only a great artist, but also the vision of an industry leader who shares the dream of expanding the potential of glasswork. Dave is an active member of his Eugene, Oregon community, participating in the Oregon Country Fair and Saturday Market, and he and his team are regulars on the Flame-Off show Circuit, participating in events around the country. Dave also sponsors the Becky Winship Scholarship (in honor of his sister) for the Glass Art Society and is a board member of the John Burton Program.
The current Glasscraft team, comprised of creative craftspeople and skilled technicians, are here to lend advise and expertise to our valued customers. That's our way of carrying on the traditions started by Homer and Dave - to contribute to the strength and growth of the glassworking community by sharing knowledge and providing the finest tools of the trade.
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Glasscraft President in Eugene
Email meI’ve been making a living selling lampworking materials and supplies into the functional borosilicate scene for about 15 years. It all started when I moved to Eugene, Oregon with my wife Lisa in 1983. I joined the craft vendors at the Saturday Market, established Winship Designs, Inc., and ended up catching a ride on the Studio Art Glass wave here in the Pacific Northwest. In 2002 Winship Designs, Inc. opened an additional distribution center in Los Angeles. LA was a successful six year run that afforded the Eugene staff and me the privilege of working with John Reed. Glasscraft and Winship Designs, Inc. came together in 2009, and again, I feel very privileged to be working with a great Denver crew carrying on the Hoyt legacy. Both my wife & I received our Bachelor of Music degrees from University of Idaho and consider our two grown children, Damion and Elizabeth, our best and most rewarding work.
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Glasscraft Manager in Golden, Ext #860
Email meI have three very unique passions that have all been building up to my career at Glasscraft: Business Management, Lampworking, and Digital Media. As our industry moves into the digital era, I am excited to be a part of a company that is building a new model regarding how the lampworking consumer buys glass materials. I have owned 2 companies here in the Denver area, both glass related, focusing on everything from manufacturing to retail. I am a firm believer that we are experiencing the most aggressive and dynamic growth spurt that the lampworking industry has ever seen. When I am not rambling about glass, I enjoy photography, mountain biking, and spending time with my wife. I received my BS from Metropolitan State of Denver. My personal glass portfolio can be found at www.studioanonymous.com.
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Sales Goddess in Eugene, Ext # 692
Email meDeb lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with her husband and three teenage sons. She was born and raised here and has enjoyed every day of it. She didn't know anything about glass when she started working for Dave Winship in 2000. However, she quickly learned about the huge Eugene glass scene and the changing glass industry and has since become an indispensable part of it. More than ten years later, knowing that there is still a lot to learn, Deb still hasn’t tired of any of it.
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Purchasing and Customer Service in Golden, Ext # 865
Email meHi, my name is Bobby, I began my employment here at Glasscraft back in June of 2000. Before working here I had never imagined working in the glass art business. It was by luck that I was sent here by a temporary job service company to work in the shipping department where I stayed for about 6yrs. During those 6 years I learned as much as I could about the company and tried to learn every position inside the company. 4yrs later I am a part of the purchasing/CSR team where I utilize all the knowledge I obtained from the previous years to help our customers.
On a more personal note, in my spare time, I have a two piece acoustic band called Neon Gypsy that I try to stay busy with on the weekends. I also like going to see live music and blowing glass whenever I get a chance
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Accounting in Eugene, Ext #693
Email meHello! My name is Suzanne Box and I am a self-representing artisan from the beautiful northwest. My love of lampworked boro glass and working with the flame has kept me focused on making beads and jewelry since 2003. I enjoy running the bead club at the Eugene Glass School and am currently employed at Glasscraft in accounting at the Eugene location.
I have many heroes in the lampworking, and glassblowing community and their work is exceptional. I'm sure they are just as entranced and allured by their torch as I am. The anticipation, appreciation and mystery of that perfect bead is always just around the corner. I hope to find it one day...or maybe not! You can see my beads on my Etsy page.
Chester is an 8 year old Schnauzer, Pekinese, Pug mix who has been employed at Glasscraft as the official greeter since I’ve been working here.
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Customer Service in Golden, Ext #863
Email meDuring a long and rewarding career in the animal welfare field, I discovered beads. A year or so later I learned there were actually people melting glass and making their OWN and the search was on. In 1993, an amazingly patient Gigi Hoyt at Glasscraft sold me some soft glass, a torch setup and Lewis Wilson's video and my love affair with glass began in earnest. I am now a proud member of the Golden team as well as a wife, aunt, and "Mimi". Still keeping my hand in with cindybeads.com and serving as caretaker to King George at work and a pond full of fishies at home. |
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Sales and Marketing in Eugene, Ext #694
Email meI’m Ariel, and I’ve been involved with glassblowing for most of my life. I grew up deep in the woods on the Southern Oregon Coast. My parents are both soft glass artists who own a small studio in Bandon, so I was able to start working in the retail glass gallery and helping in the shop when I was just a kid. I assisted in the hot shop as a teenager and when I moved to Eugene in 2000, I started flameworking in one of the local glass studios. I started at Winship Designs in 2004 while slowly finishing my degree from the University of Oregon. I love the glass community here in Eugene and the amazing work environment that Dave encourages.
Nico is one of our shop dogs, here in the Eugene store. He’s two years old, and has grown up greeting customers in the retail shop. When we’re not at the store, Nico and I hang out in the garden at home with our backyard chickens and ducks or visit the lakes and rivers in the forests around Eugene.
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Accounting in Golden, Ext #861
Email meHi, I’m Jack a native to Golden Colorado. I started at Glasscraft back in early 2007 proceeded by both my dad and my brother. They worked here for years and used to tell me about all this cool glass stuff. It sparked my interest and when the house building market slowed down (I was a carpenter) I decided to go someplace that sounded like fun, I made a good choice. In the nearly 4 years I’ve been here I have seen and learned so much, and I still feel like things are just getting started. This is a great place to work and I have met so many interesting, funny and genuinely nice people that make some awesome things out of glass.
When I am not at work, I spend time with my wife Ruth, and two children Abby and Gabe.
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Sales and Networking in Eugene, Ext #695
Email meMy name is Shannon Spencer. I was born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in the early 70’s. I love the outdoors life in Oregon – taking advantage of the lush forests and beaches that we are so lucky to have here. I have done a variety of jobs in the past including managing pet stores for over 10 years. My husband, “Blackey,” has been a functional glass artist for about 12 years, so I made the obvious career choice to move further into the glass industry and work for Dave Winship in 2008 in a Sales/Shipping position. I enjoy working with the awesome crew at Winship/Glasscraft and look forward to many years with the “Glass Family” that has adopted me. |
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Customer Service in Golden, Ext #862
Email meI'm Jeremy, I've been working with Glasscraft for just a short amount of time now as the shipper guy. I have only been here since April 2010 but have already seen many changes and development within the company. I was lucky enough to stumble into this job as a result of a craigslist ad, and it has been without a doubt one of my favorite places to work.
I am still relatively new to the Colorado area, I just recently moved here from Minneapolis, MN fall '09. In Minnesota I had a long history with shipping computers and server equipment, as well as about 4 years of tattooing and piercing experience.
Right now my main two activities consist of riding my bicycle and packing boxes, I'd like to fit glassblowing in there as well.
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Shipping in Eugene, Ext #696
Email meA long, long time ago. In a place far, far away... I was blessed to be born into a caring and loving family. As a child, good fortune brought me to Oregon where I have grown and lived most of my life. My wife Beth and I are proud parents and grandparents. I enjoy many activities and am a student of life long learning. I've worked in the shipping and receiving department of Winship Designs for over 8 years and look forward to serving you for many more. |
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Customer Service in Eugene, Ext #700
Email meMy name is Shawn Quine and I am originally from Spokane, WA. I’ve lived in Oregon now for three years. I am a customer service representative/shelf builder here at the Eugene Branch. I was a foreign exchange student in Japan in high school so if you need some help in Japanese give me a call. Update: Shawn is the proud father of baby Naomi, born in October 2010! |
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Shipping Guru in Golden, Ext #868
Email meI have lived in Colorado most of my life. I have been in the shipping industry for 8 years. Glasscraft seemed like a perfect match for what I was looking for. I am the father of two amazing daughters, who are 2 1/2 and 4 years old. In my spare time, I enjoy video games, table top Wargames, horrible pop music and melting soft glass. |
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Customer Service in Golden, Ext #866
Email meMy name is Amber Perez, and I am from South Texas y'all. Family is a big part of my life because they have always supported me in my decision. Over the last few years, I have hustled functional glass in a small Texas town. I was blessed to find Glass as an artistic medium, and I have never been more passionate about anything in my life. After a small amount of hands on experience, I feel I better understand the amazing beauty glass is capable of and gained a huge respect for artists. . With the current growth and momentum that this industry is experiencing, I look forward to playing a key role in keeping the inertia strong. |
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The King of Glasscraft/Colorado
Email meSo, you can look at this one of two ways: I might be just an ordinary tomcat (assuming there is such a thing) OR I might just be the ruler of the known Universe, currently operating out of Glasscraft in Golden. Either way leaves much room for awesomeness. I came to grace the lovely minions here about eight years ago and they are--finally--beginning to get the hang of what sort of protocol is in order when dealing with creatures of my caliber. Legend has it, I walked five miles from my ancestral homeland to the Moss Street building. Legend also has it, I'm the best anywhere, at vermin removal. Call me the Verminator.
Come and see me. Bring treats. Peace out.
George
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