Aug 24, 2008 10:58 pm US/Central
Finding Minnesota: Glassmaking At The State Fair
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
Step inside his store just off University Avenue in St. Paul and you're instantly struck by all the translucent colors: reds and blues, greens, violets and shades of orange.
"Hard to believe that just 15 years ago none of this existed, it's all developed in the last 15 years," said Joe Ring, owner of J. Ring Glass Studio in St. Paul.
Like the shirt on his back, Ring likes color.
"Of course everybody's favorite, which is pink," he said.
Ring has been teaching people the art of glassmaking for over 30 years turning his first love into a booming business.
As he walks through his store he muses, "A lot of these are purchased as wedding gifts," as he points to the beautifully colorful and creative glass tableware.
From the multi-colored tableware to incredible stained glass panels, interest in glassmaking is soaring. There are more entries in this year's Minnesota State Fair competition than ever before. Two years ago there was a mere three entries --- today there are 73.
All are on display in the Creative Activities building on the east end of the Fairgrounds.
Ring thinks the phenomenal growth in glassmaking is partly tied to the poor economy. The hobby brings instant gratification at a relatively small price.
"The costs of kilns have come down, so it's way more affordable for the average person. So it's kind of like the melding all of these aspects coming together. And people say 'Wow...I can do this you know,'" he said.
When one student's husband was forced to sell his classic car Ring's student immortalized it in glass.
"The peak temperature was 1450 degrees at a 20 minute soak to get the shapes," he said.
Like the glass creation that advertises his store, Ring's creativity is bound only by the colors he can cut and fuse into works of beauty.
"It's one of those things, be careful of what you wish for, it just might come true," Ring said.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
