Interview with Wesley. Owner of Mirador glass

Me: What first interested you in glassblowing?

 

Wesley: I think is the depth of glass that first attracted me to glass.  I was really into checking out art glass and fascinated with the layers of color.

 

Me: How long have you been doing it for?

 

Wesley:   I started blowing when another blower said " If you think you can do better then do it yourself"  so I did.  That was 1996.  He was surprised at how well I did right off.  I was surprised at how hard it was to control.

 

Me: . How many workers do you employ?

 

Wesley:  Our company consists of myself and my partner (master glass blowers), an assistant glass artist and an office manager who runs the place.

 

Me: Do you used recycled glass, or are you a "green" company? As in trying to help the environment

 

Wesley: We use scientific glass. We run this business with respect for the environment.  I would not call it green and I think that term is used too often by businesses who are not green.

 

Me: Are you products sold only locally, or are you nationwide?

 

Wesley: Mirador Glass has a local showroom and we sell on line.  We also wholesale to lighting showrooms and designers across the country.

 

Me: What glass products do you make?

 

Wesley:   We make functional art glass.  Wine glasses, mugs, tumblers, jewelry but our specialty is custom lighting.  The best mark up for us is in the interior design market which we serve with custom glass shades.

 

Me: Is your business family owned?

 

Wesley:  business is owned by two local families.

 

Me: How long have you owned, or had your business?

 

Wesley: Mirador is around 10 years old and in this location for 6.