Items include jewelry, ornaments and more
by Cameron Deuel
GLACIER – Kristen Fisher and her husband, Bear Yoho, didn’t intend to start a glass-blowing company. “It just sort of happened,” Fisher said.
Glacier Glass Works’ Kristen Fisher and daughter Isabella at their booth at the Bellingham Farmers Market. Fisher and husband Bear Yoho operate the glass company. PHOTO BY BRENT COLE
Their interest in the craft began about 15 years ago when Yoho was just starting to toy around with the art of blowing glass. Fisher remembers people asking them to create pieces, especially pendants. “People were ordering such large amounts that it started to effect our work schedules,” Fisher explained. Eventually, the two decided to work on their art full-time.
Although they began in Glacier, they traveled to Florida for a short time, eventually returning to the Pacific Northwest – first in Eugene, OR, then settling back in Glacier. They have created a presence at the Bellingham Farmers Market and Allied Arts in Bellingham, as well as locally at Glacier Creations and hold occasional sales at their Glacier home. Bellingham provided a great community as an artist, Fisher said, which gave their new company a chance to grow.
“We made really good glass-blowing friends,” Fisher said. “You just start to sell more merchandise and you end up buying new equipment. Before you know it, you have a business.” Fisher said she didn’t consider her glass-blowing as a career until she had been doing it for eight years.
The couple differ in style and content, Fisher said, as she enjoys decorating vases and jars with images of trees made from smaller pieces of glass. “Bear likes to make nautical themed pieces,” Fisher noted, “Maritime things like a ship in a bottle.”
A glass-blown ornament. COURTESY PHOTO
Overall, the couple enjoy speaking with customers and learning about who buys their products. In addition to the farmers market and the Allied Arts Festival, they now sell their glass on Etsy, a website geared towards giving independent craft-makers an online storefront. “I like the idea of people learning about our glass but how the heck did someone from Virginia find out about us?” she said. While they strongly appreciate their online business, the couple appreciates being able to interact with their customers.
In addition to pendants, Glacier Glass Works offers a variety of products from tooth fairy jars to goblets and straws made of glass, as well as ornaments for the holidays. Fisher mentioned how they use borosilicate pyrex glass, which makes for a more durable piece of art.
The couple are planning to have a holiday party on Dec. 11 to show off their latest work. “We’ve had a few of these before,” she said. “I make cookies and people stop by to look at our art.”
Fisher said that Glacier Glass Works needs to have a larger presence in the craft-market. She added, “I need to network more,” explaining how she’s excited about her latest project, glass buttons.
The vibrant swirl of reds and blues amongst the clean, clear glass shows how both artists have managed to hone their craft. Glacier Glass Works provides a strong variety in their products, ranging from meticulously created glass ornaments to beautifully crafted shot glasses. It’s no wonder how they are attracting customers from other parts of the country.
For more information about Glacier Glass Works, visit their booth a booth each Saturday through Dec. 18 at the Bellingham Farmers Market, or at the Allied Arts Festival. Call 599-1485 or e-mail glacierglassworks@netzero.com. Items are available online at etsy.com/people/glacierglass.
Correction: The print version of this article incorrectly stated items are available at Glacier Creations.