ABOUT US
We moved to Romania to work with children in the orphanage. Our work expanded into the hospitals, and then to the villages as we began looking for ways to put children back with their families, and provide help so they are safe and cared for.
Most people, not even people in Romania, know what goes on in the villages. We expected beggars. Most are decent people, poor, with almost no education or opportunities for work.
Their children are beautiful and loving. It's not work to be with them: It refreshes and enlivens.
Molten glass reaches its plastic temperature at 1050-1200° C and flows freely at 1500° C. Temperatures comparable to these are used for processing iron or steel.
The raw materials are silica sand, sodium oxide, calcium oxide, dolomite, and feldspar. Color is created by adding metal oxides.
It's a magical process: this heating of sand until it flows like honey and then is fashioned into a work of art. Iron and steel are hammered into shape; glass is cajoled. It changes its mind easily and quickly and can be charmed back into shape only with a nudge or a twirl. Act harshly and you lose your glass.
Glass wants you to admire its beauty but is unforgiving. The slightest misstep and you must start over.