Glass artist seeks to help women in need

By MONTE TURNER

Mineral Independent

Glass artistry was invented by Syrian craftsmen in the 1st century BC, where blown containers for everyday use were produced commercially and exported to all parts of the Roman Empire.

It has grown in popularity and with evolved technology, it remains an ancient art form respected worldwide. Molding red-hot liquid glass to create a lasting glass artifact is an act that requires a creative mind, dexterous hand work, and stamina.

It is very physically draining work. The modern art of glass blowing may use modernized equipment, but the

essence of working with glass remains the same.

The University of Montana Western, in Dillon, is offering certificates, minors and even degrees in Glass and Glass Blowing.

But if you’re more curious than in academia, you can take a four-hour class in Superior to see if it is of interest.

“I started four years ago in Coeur d’Alene and my mentor is one of the best in the nation. Cameron Davenport, who created Puppy Paws where the ashes of your pet are mixed with the glass for a pendant or ornament,” said Tif Chrysler.

Watching Chrysler and her intern, Ramah Vulles, each working from their own torch conversing little as focus is critical, one can witness the intensity of the art procedure.

“You only heat the part of the glass that you are actually working on,” Chrysler said as the two focused on heart pendants.

Vulles does the heating of the rod and flattening of the sides and then with a flathead screwdriver, make the indentation for the top of the heart in the gooey

looking medium. This is where the colorization is done so your imagination on what the end product will look like starts early in the process.

She passes it to Chrysler who adds a little glass and heats it up to mold a hook for a necklace chain. The completed ones are similar in size but range from blues and greens to reds with sparkles to rainbows and dark purple.

Once the creation is completed, it goes into a kiln to heat it even more which ‘de-stresses’ it.

Both torches are connected to propane and oxygen tanks for the mixture needed to keep the torch Vulles is using at 3,500 degrees and Chryslers’ up to 4,500 degrees.

Yet surprisingly, neither are wearing gloves of any kind.

Chrysler suffered a brain injury in 2000 when hit by a drunk driver in Japan where she was working. After nine months in the hospital, she had to adjust to her new world and eventually explored glass blowing, or in her words, ‘Fire Therapy.’

She soon realized this was good for healing and it also quenched her artistic craving.

“A friend asked me to make her a decorative ending for the pull chain on her ceiling fan so I made a colorful creation that was hollow so she could pour a little essential oil in it and the fan circulates the aroma

throughout the room. This idea is drawing interest.” So, Chrysler wants to share this craft with personal lessons consisting of four hours of instruction that includes every material needed to make a pendant, figurine, or Christmas ornament to keep or give as a present for $50.

Behind the heart pendants is a plan.

Chrysler's husband, Jon, is completing the paperwork to develop a 501C3 that through glass blowing that will raise money to help women in transition. Those who fled harm’s way with their children, women recently released from prison or single mothers and others in need of assistance.

“HOPE (Hearts Of Positive Encouragement) will be the name of the non-profit as we make glass hearts and items to sell to support our sisters who are making a new start in life,” Chrysler said.

Until the classification is received, Chrysler and Vulles are busy making original jewelry and curios and inviting women to become involved in the quest to be of service to women in need.

She can be reached at 406-589-2484.