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Gabriel and Rodolfo Lio Jaramillo

"This business was started by my father 44 years ago. He had previously worked in the first hand-blown glass factory in Guadalajara as well as an internationally known glass workshop. It was through this experience that he mastered his craft and gained the knowledge to start his own factory.

"When we were young we worked with our father during school vacations, helping him to create glass works and in the process learning about the intricacies of silica sand and mixing colors. We are continuing a family tradition that started more than 40 years ago, and we now specialize in pieces made from pure silica sand glass. Everything we do is completely handmade.

"Our process requires sixteen ingredients: pieces of recycled glass, silica sand, stabilizers, flux and metallic oxide colors are melted and mixed using clay pots. The mixture is melted at a temperature of between 1400°C and 1500°C (2550°F - 2730°F). After cooling to a temperature of 1200°C (2190°F), a piece is soft enough to be worked. From three pieces of glass one mask is made, as this is the easiest manner to manipulate this highly delicate material. When the scrupulous procedure of hand-blowing the glass is completed, the semi-finished piece is put in a kiln and fired at temperatures between 150°C and 800°C (300°F - 1,470°F) for twelve hours so it will dry slowly and evenly. The following day the pieces are selected for quality and their unique aspects. Next engraving begins and they are plated with metal or treated with acid.

"We export our products to the United States and to parts of Europe. We are also known in certain glass fairs and exhibitions in Italy and the United States.

"Our well-equipped workshop has a high temperature melting oven and two medium-heat ovens. We employ more than sixteen workers, each with a specialty, from glass making to packaging…."