The team at Spiro Lyon Glass would like to send a big THANK YOU to all who joined us for any of our three Demonstrations this summer. Throughout July and August, we opened our studio for all to come watch the many talented glass artists that live here in the Roaring Fork Valley. Very few of you had seen live glassblowing before, and your reactions were simply amazing.

On July 2nd, we hosted our first Open House Demonstration of 2016. Our team of glassblowers included Dylan Balderson, Wyatt Balderson, Alonna Bucheimer, Robert Burch, and TJ Ossola. As a part of our first demo, guests were able to watch an array of techniques, ranging from incalmo glass to popping popcorn on the pipe!

Jose Chardiet joined us on the pad at our second demo event on July 28. Jose is an internationally accomplished glass artist and it was mind blowing to watch his skill in action.

August 20th was our final summer demo. We wrapped up with making negative spaces in blown glass and spiral wrapping color on top.

Dylan and I opened our Carbondale Studio for business in 2002, and reopened (post fire) in 2007. Since then, we have been working hard to keep the studio open and productive.

We feel very fortunate and blessed to be able to share our studio with the many talents that have moved to the Valley. The skills of TJ Ossola as lead gaffer have been a great gift to our studio. Robert Burch with his playful talent shares a fresh energy for new art. And last but certainly not least, Jose Chardiet has the knowledge and skill of a master-level glass artist and his presence is pure genius.

Thank you all for your interest and stay tuned for more demos and workshop opportunities to come!

A few months back, my dear friend and mentor, Lee Lyon passed away at the age of 91. I have been reflecting a great deal as of late of my time as Lee’s student, business partner, adopted daughter, drinking buddy, and much more. It seems appropriate now to share the legacy of Spiro Lyon Glass, and fantastic story of an inspiring man and his ever-grateful protégé.

In 1990, after retiring from his family’s hide processing business and post photography dabbling, Lee was working as a freelance Ceramicist. He had a commission for a ceramic fountain wall. What he wanted was a red glaze to use on the wall, but could not find a true red. That was when he decided to enroll in a glass casting class taught by John Lewis at Pilchuck Glass School.

Lee imagined he would find a red glaze (glass) that he could use for his project, and that be that. Instead, something incredible happened. Lee fell in love with molten glass. “Bitten by the Glass Bug,” you might say. He returned home, finished his last ceramic project and immediately turned his ceramic studio into a hot glass shop. Trouble was, hot glass casting is not a one-man job.

Lee set out to find a strong young man to assist him in the studio. He reached out to several brawny prospects that he knew, but all were busy with other things. One prospect Lee had petitioned, Mark Haas, told Lee that he knew someone that might be available. Enter Jacqueline Spiro, 23 years old, and as Lee would say “100 pounds soaking wet”. Not exactly the big strong assistant Lee had in mind, but nonetheless, it was the beginning of a 25-year partnership and the birth of Spiro Lyon Glass.