WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Dazzling Decorations

Stowe, Vermont - December 4, 2009

Chris Turiello is a one-man production line.

"It's practice and being quick picking your tools up," the glass blower explained.

Turiello is handling molten glass, blowing and shaping it into Christmas ornaments. He moves quickly.

Turiello works for one of the nation's top handmade ornament producers. Stowe's Little River Hotglass Studio turns out 25,000-35,000 of these decorations in a typical year, for its gallery and more than 600 others.

"I have a lot of ornaments in people's houses," Turiello commented.

The New Jersey native moved to Vermont well aware of its reputation for handcrafts and snowboarding. Glass blowing was a new direction for this artist more used to working with more traditional mediums.

Turiello is honing his skills under studio owner and master glass artist Michael Trimpol. Together they work on complex pieces like vases. It's a dance of sorts, where the glassblowers are always thinking about their next step to patiently shape the glowing form.

"Mostly it's non-verbal," Trimpol explained. "If you have a good assistant, they know what you need. So you don't have to talk too much."

The true color of glass only emerges after it cools.

Little River Hotglass's ornaments hang year-round, but metallic designs are popular for Christmas trees.

Asked what his Christmas tree looks like, Turiello answered, "Oh, it's full of these. I probably have more ornaments than anyone."

Chris Turiello hopes his work reminds people of how many products do not come from big box stores.

"It's cool when other people take such joy in it," he said.

More pride of creation that comes when things are Made in Vermont.

"Right here in the Green Mountains!" Turiello said.

The ornaments sell for $20-$30. But for a $50 donation to charity you can learn to make your own. December 12 and 13 the glass blowers are holding a fundraiser for the North Country Animal League.

Click here to contact Liver River Hotglass for more information.

Jack Thurston - WCAX News - Made in Vermont