Miranda and Joseph Skar were first introduced to the art of flame working over 8 years ago. They so happened to end up at a small party on a llama farm that featured a live in master glass artist and his “Apprentice”. Mesmerized by the process, both Joe and Miranda began paying attention to all the details and processes with the hopes of one day becoming glass artists. Eventually a deal was struck and Miranda began to develop her amazing talents...
But all was not good... It turns out the master glassblower had been ordering an extreme amount of pornography on Joe and Miranda’s on-demand cable, and when the first bill arrived, the relationship came to an abrupt end.
All was not lost however, because a deal was made with the “Apprentice” to allow him to use Joe and Miranda’s shed to set up shop. Miranda, Joe's brother James, and the “Apprentice”, all shared the shop and learned together developing lifelong skills in a fun and friendly environment.
Miranda and Joe however were not content. They decided to move across the country to Texas to be with family. They lived in Texas for two years, and while there, were unable to blow any glass do to a lack of proper space... Miranda had tons of un-tapped potential, and it was a shame she could not apply her skills for such a long period of time.
It was decided that Joe and Miranda would go back home for a summer, allowing Miranda to blow glass again, and Joe to start up his eBay business selling glass items. They were going to live with the "Apprentice" and his new girlfriend (in their new apartment/glass studio).
But all was not well... The "Apprentice" had developed some less than admirable personality traits. The new girlfriend was no peach either, she had the social skills of a troubled fourth grader, and could best be described as a "bitter hag". Miranda was unable to explore her passion, due to the "sweat shop" environment. She was told she would not be allowed to make what she wanted, instead she was put to work making hundreds of identical production peices. Joe's eBay glass store failed do to lack of product, and lack of participation.
Joe and Miranda began a desperate search to find somewhere else to stay… but they were preemptively and promptly given the boot by the “Ass-prentice” who claimed it was his girlfriend who wanted them to move out immediately.
Actually, getting kicked to the curb was probably the best thing that could have happened to Joe and Miranda at the time. They were welcomed with open arms by the local glass artist community (Including the mother of the psycho girlfriend). They moved in with another glassblower friend, and Miranda was finally able to freely work without restrictions. It was during this time that Joe too began to try his hand at flame-working. Joe learned quickly, and immediately began developing his unique artistic style. The rest of that summer was spent relaxing, blowing glass, and enjoying life as life was meant to be enjoyed…
The summer culminated with Joe and Miranda getting married, and buying a house in Bellingham, WA (Complete with space for a glass studio).
But, once again, all was not well…. After their honeymoon, Joe drove to Bellingham, to begin work on their newly purchased home. Upon arrival it was very clear that something was horribly wrong. All Their stuff was gone. Virtually everything had been stolen, including their glassblowing equipment. Furthermore, due to the massive insurance claim, the insurance company refused to continue insuring the house, along with every other insurance company in the area. Left with little option, Joe and Miranda abandoned the house without ever making a single payment. They were forced to move into the only pet-friendly apartment complex in Bellingham and spent the next two years there.
The apartment complex was kind enough to let Joe and Miranda set up a glass shop in the back of the leasing office. The shop space was not ideal though… They were constantly bombarded by residents poking there heads in and asking millions of questions. Some of the residents were not very friendly, and some were TOO friendly. Local children would throw basketballs against the wall creating loud banging noises that were unsettling to say the least. As a result, not much glass was made in the leasing office.
Soon they moved to a beautiful house on the historic Mt. Baker Scenic Byway. Their new home sits on 33 acres of the most amazing Pacific Northwest natural forests you have ever seen. But still there was no room for a glass shop…
Joe and Miranda spent three months traveling Europe, and living in a borrowed apartment in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Upon returning they promptly purchased a mid 80’s Short School Bus and began the task of turning it into a custom built mobile flame working shop.
The Short Bus Glass Studio is the culmination of all their hard work and perseverance. Where many would have thrown the towel in years ago, Joe and Miranda kept their chins up, and rolled with the punches.
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