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812 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC 29902  We're open Monday–Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm

Glasslight Studios

Glasslight Studio is comprised of a small, collaborative team that includes partnerships decades old as well as some newer faces. We are a very friendly group and invite you to come and visit with us, see our showroom, watch us work, and learn from our master craftsmen.

Meet the Artists

JOEL BLESS

Joel’s lifelong passion for glassblowing began in his college days at the Rochester Institute of Technology. It was the early 1970’s and the school had just opened its School of American Craftsmen’s glassblowing program. Following these initial introductions, Joel went on to teach himself the craft and by the late 1970’s had built his own hot shop.

It was at this time that he and his wife, Candace Luke-Bless established what would become Glasslight. Since then, Joel has refined and honed his work constantly innovating techniques and designing new pieces.

His products have ranged from small table lamps to Judaica to his newest endeavor, large-scale chandeliers.

Over the years, Joel has also discovered his love of teaching and now engages the community by offering glassblowing classes. Always excited to meet new people and answer questions about his work, Joel is a true artisan and spokesman for the craft.

CANDACE LUKE-BLESS

Candace began her career as an artist after graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Fine Arts degree. While she had majored in printmaking, she became engaged in the art of Glassblowing through her husband, Joel Bless. Candace finds the colors achievable in the medium of glass truly inspirational. She went on to design the form and color composition of many of the pieces Glasslight produces. Candace also developed and pioneered Glasslight’s line of fused glass work which range from custom tiles and bowls to large table tops. In addition to her artistic contributions, she has also been chiefly responsible for running the company’s back office and operations. With her positivity and kind disposition, Candace keeps Glasslight running smoothly.

PAUL MADSEN

Paul Madsen began working on professional finishing and assembly at Glasslight in 1989. Intrigued by the glassblowing process, he was excited to transition full-time to working in the hot shop with Joel. He also works with Joel heating and bending the metal rods that become the bases for Glasslight’s spiral table lamps, floor lamps, and chandeliers. Paul is masterful at problem solving, and his skills contribute in many ways to the success of Glasslight’s projects.

ERIN LeBRUN

Erin became interested in glass blowing at a young age when she saw the Wheaton glassblowers at a local fair. She continued her interest and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Alfred University in May of 2014 and began working at Glasslight that October. She was originally hired to assist Candy with the business end of things but has slowly expanded into all areas of the studio. She’s easily spotted with her bright orange hair as she moves about entering orders, sending emails, assembling lamp bases, packing products, assisting in the hotshop, teaching classes and more.

KARL BRACHWITZ

Karl came to Glasslight from a very diverse background ranging from antiques and hand-hewn building restoration to dairy farming and a burgeoning zeal for glassblowing. He began by taking lessons with Joel and his passion led him to join the Glasslight team in 2009. Karl contributes, particularly on the business side, with his special brand of creativity, problem solving wisdom, and hearty optimism.

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