No doubt local residents have spent time at some of the better-known heritage buildings in Glen Williams, like Beaumont Mills Antiques and Collectibles, the Copper Kettle Pub and of course, the Williams Mill.
The Mill serves as a focal point in the hamlet. Front and centre of the complex is Glen Williams Glass, a collective of glass artists. Immediately upon entering, visitors are mesmerized by the colourful and elaborate works of Skytree Smith and Tara Marsh, as well as several other artists.
The pair graciously allowed HaltonHillsToday to tag along as they made a glass sculpture inspired by a bearded iris.
Skytree Smith
Skytree Smith’s story began like many do: she followed a cute boy and it changed her life forever. In this case, she followed Andrew (Andy) Kuntz, founding member of Glen Williams Glass, into the studio some time around 2006 or 2007 and never left.
“Me and a couple of other people in town, a couple of business owners, used to hang out on a couch in the hot shop." The hot shop is the room with the furnaces where the magic happens.
Her glass blowing journey began when “one day, Andy was like, ‘You can't just sit on the couch. I need you to give me a hand with this piece.’”
Smith uses her past training as a funeral director to make unique keepsakes. She specializes in making glass items that include the ashes of a late loved one, adding a touch of sentimentality to any piece.
“I was working in a funeral home and looking at the keepsake items and didn't like any of them because they're cold, metallic, impersonal things. (I was) wondering if I could combine ash and glass, so that sort of became my niche.”
Gradually, she learned the craft and became more confident. Her work often features natural elements, like a glass fire on a log, or a glass flowers in a planter.
Tara Marsh
Marsh has been a glass blower for about 18 years. She trained at Sheridan College, which still has a program teaching the discipline.
She graduated in 2004 and worked in Toronto as a glass blower that summer. But the following August she found a home at Glen Williams Glass.
“We used to have a goblet exchange at Christmas in the studio here," Marsh recalled. "They would invite all the Sheridan students around Christmas time. We'd all come for a party. Everybody would make a goblet and you would wrap it up, bring it and then you would have an exchange."
Right next to the entrance of the showroom, there's a striking and colourful display of sunflower-sized glass flowers. Those were made by Marsh. Yet, her most common designs are colourful, curly vases - aptly named after the curly shape along their opening, much like the scroll of a violin.
