Jim and Connie Grant have
been collaborative glassblowing partners since 1972, when
the process of blowing glass fascinated them both. Since
then, they have followed their love of the medium through
many creative changes, always following their own inventive
ideas. Today they create unique vessels and perfume bottles
in vivid colored glass. Some have carved silver glass
overlays and others are wrapped with copper knots and
weaves. All are etched with garnet granules under very high
pressure, and are signed by the artist. The Grants earned
their degrees from U.C., Berkeley. Their work is included
in pubic and private collections throughout the U.S. and
abroad.
Celestial Art Glass works are all hand blown, cut and
polished, and sandblasted to achieve the frosted finish.
Care of
Sandblasted Glass:
If the piece
looks “dry”, rub a few drops of baby oil on a
rag on the frosted glass and the copper or silver. Wipe off
excess oil with a towel. This will prevent fingerprints.
The shiny portion of the glass can be cleaned with Windex.
Copper Wraps:
The copper
weaves, knots, and glass beads are all applied in the
blowing process, so that the copper molds and adheres to
the piece.
Silver
Overlays:
The silver decorations are glass overlays (applied while
hot, the last layer of glass).
When cold, the
silver portions are masked off with a resist and
sandblasted away to the under color to achieve the
patterns.