Economic Grinch puts blown glass ornament tradition on hold

Economic Grinch puts blown glass ornament tradition on hold (Image 1) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

(WSLS 10) - An economic Grinch has put a holiday tradition on hold in the New River Valley.  Every year, people go to Stafford Glass to make their own hand-crafted blown glass ornaments. However, Parker Stafford, owner of Stafford Glass, said he could not afford to keep the business up and running for this holiday season. 

"Financially for me it's been difficult" said Stafford. "Normally this time of year the studio is open and we are in production but not this year."

Recommended Videos



Stafford said the glass blowing business slowed down while energy costs as well as propane prices and other expenses continued to add up. He said, on average, it could cost $14 dollars an hour to heat and molt the glass in a small furnace.

"It could go up higher depending on the size of the equipment" he said. 

Stafford said operating cost was too much for him to continue to operate. However, in an effort to get his studio operating again and also promote a new product, Gaia Lamp, Stafford started an online fundraising campaign.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/lighting-the-gaia-lamp

So far, people from across the country have contributed. Stafford's goal is to raise $5,600 by January 7. As of Dec. 18th Stafford had raised close to $3000.