By: Kerin E. Lazzaro
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Courtesy Thames Glass
Christmas ornament from Thames Glass
Shelves and display cases are overflowing with glass figures: snowmen, vases, vegetables, jewelry, perfume bottles and fish. A brightly lit Christmas tree is the focal point in Thames Glass, adorned with glass ornaments of all different shapes, sizes and colors. A window looking in on busy people in what looks like a cold, dirty garage home to ovens, machines and of course, glass. The busy people? Matthew Buechner and his glass blowing crew of Thames Glass
in Newport. The weather outside is frightful but inside the workshop of Thames Glass it feels like a hot summer day. Everyone in the workshop is busy. Someone is blowing glass through a long metal pipe, another is separating tiny glass beads and the others are preparing to make ornaments. There is lots of clanging and banging of metal parts, ovens opening and closing and metal rods clunking together. Buechner jokes with his crew, “Can you guys shut up over there! I’m trying to talk about myself! It’s important, I am important!! OK? I am a very important guy!” Someone responds, “Just trying to make the money boss man.” The atmosphere is very relaxed and enjoyable. * * * Forty-eight year old Matthew Buechner grew up in Corning, N.Y. His father was the first director of the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning. Ten years later he left Corning and headed to a museum in Brooklyn where he became director. Before retiring at the age of 55, Buechner’s father became president of Steuben Glass, a very famous glass company, according to Buechner. “He’s a very, very successful guy. Hard to keep up with.” said Buechner. It is obvious that his father is one of his inspirations. When Buechner was 17 years old, his father made him an interesting offer. He knew of a man that was previously employed at Steuben Glass who opened his own glass blowing shop. Buechner started working there for free and described the experience as fun. “It really attracts 17, 18 year old boys, I mean it’s like a dream come true,” he said, “it’s hot, sweaty, it’s dirty, ya know, just what boys love.” Buechner went to Hartwick College for a short time but decided to take some time off. He wanted to go back to college to get his degree so he could start making money, tired of working at places like Pizza Hut. Buechner’s father did not like his son’s motives for returning to school. He did not want his career to be focused on money. Buechner’s father suggested that he go overseas to Germany and become an apprentice in a glass factory. Buechner wanted to go to Purdue University in Indiana and become an engineer. His father bought him a one way ticket to Germany. Buechner threw himself into the German culture, not knowing how to speak a word of their language. “We cranked glass out,” said Buechner of his job at the factory. Work started at 4 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m. He only had three 15 minute breaks throughout his nine hour day. “The cool thing is you can drink beer in the factory,” kidded Buechner. He described his working environment as very hot, repetitive and exhausting, but he learned a lot from his experience. He became more efficient and better at glass blowing. Buechner and his brother, also in the glass business, opened their own glass shop, Vitrix Hot Glass, in Corning, N.Y. and were partners for 2
