Vermont Glass Guild

Colleen Grebus
New Temple Glassworks
I have always had a love and fascination with glass. As a child I collected lampwork figurines and animals. While on vacation in Florida with my family I remember watching an artist make a swan at the torch. It was amazing. It looks so delicate and was beautiful the way it refracted light. As I got older, I continued to collect glass like paperweights and insulators.
It was not until the summer between high school and college I actually started working with glass. I was in Lee Ward craft store to buy yarn and they had stained glass supplies on sale. I decided to give it a try. I fell immediately in love with stained glass. I continued to do stained glass for years. It was not until 1988 while at a stained-glass conference I purchased a Hot Bead Starter kit. It included a MAPP gas hot head torch, mandrels, bead release, glass, small graphite paddle, instruction book and fiber blanket. I also signed up for a 1-day intro class. From then on, I was hooked on hot glass.
As I learned more about bead making, I got involved with the local chapter of (ISGB) International society of glass beadmakers. I met many talented artists and took several classes. As my skills improved so did my studio. I got a better torch, kiln etc.
I then thought I would try furnace glassblowing. After doing a few “Make Your Own” classes I decided to take a multi-day class and see it this was something I really enjoyed. I took a class with Jordana Korsen at her home studio. After that I was hooked. I knew I wanted to continue furnace glass, stained glass and lampworking.
As my skills improved, I started purchasing tools and color for furnace glassblowing. My husband asked me what I was purchasing and seemed interested in learning. I signed him up for a 2-day workshop and by noon the first day I knew he was hooked.
Over the years we have taken many glasses at Snow Farn, Pittsburgh Glass, NOCA, Worchester Center for Crafts and Corning Studio. We rented studio time at other artists’ studios on weekends for several years.
In 2019 we were lucky enough to build our own studio at our home in Temple NH.
We are now both retired from our careers and can enjoy glass full time.
We have a small studio at our home where we make our own work and offer “Make Your Own” classes. I also continue to do stained glass, lampworking. I have also added glass casting, pate de'verre and fusing

Gary L. Grebus
One day about 15 years ago, Colleen said “You should try glassblowing...it’s fun!”,
and that was the beginning. Gary’s interest (addiction?) in glass has grown from
the occasional class to building and operating a studio in partnership with his wife
Colleen. He enjoys the craft and the art of glassblowing, making both traditional
functional and decorative objects. Gary has taken classes at The Studio of The
Corning Museum of Glass, Snow Farm New England Craft Program, Worcester
Center for Craft, and the Pittsburgh Glass Center. Before retiring (to make more
time for glass), Gary spent 40 years as an engineer in the software industry.

The challenge and potential of creating with hot glass is irresistible. Controlling
the heat and flow of glass-making is a constant motivation. Shaping color, light,
and space into objects of beauty and even of everyday utility is the reward. My
background is not in the arts, so I am often inspired by my experience with
technology and the physical world. I’m also drawn to the vast historical tradition
of glass art and craft, and the way in which it connects to and influences the glass
community of today.