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Gabriel and Rodolfo Lio Jaramillo

The artistry of Gabriel and Rodolfo Lio Jaramillo has been featured in Depth magazine.

"My father opened this workshop in the 1960's. He had previously worked in the first hand-blown glass factory in the area 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 etched 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 piece 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."