BLOG – 35 YEARS AGO BLOG 2

Glass Creations is a name of a business but not an address, so I needed to come up with a title of a place that was recognised by all especially the post service. Thus, the building we bought was now known as “Thurso Glass Studio.” I chose “studio” as I thought that “artier” than workshop.”

The idea of our set up was that visitors would come to us and see what was being made in the “studio” or “workshop” and then buy from the showroom next door. I say “we” as it was important to promote this enterprise as a joint effort between Maureen and myself. Maureen hated being known as the wife of the glass blower. So, we made sure that it was/is Glass Creations by Maureen and Ian Pearson. Maureen’s name was always at the foremost.

We decided to acknowledge criticism of Thurso by visitors in that there was nothing to do in the town after the shops closed. We open our “shop” in the evenings , 7.30pm until 10pm five days a week. We were open all-day Saturday and Sunday afternoons. I was working fulltime as well so adding up the hours for me I was active about ninety hours a week!

What to make and was what I made easy to sell? Big question which I responded to by looking back on my previous experience. I was making glass animals at sixteen years old which sold well so could repeat that. Glass Flowers also is popular so repeated that. I appreciated the market was split between visitors and locals so adjust my output to half Scottish influenced and half domestic. By that I mean I focused on celebratory glassware such as for weddings, christenings, birthdays and anniversaries and sports related items as Thurso seem to be big on golf and fishing!

The business was reliant on passing trade. The Thurso tourist off ice was situated along the road from us and often pass on visors. They wanted small items so that’s what I made. Size is important when travelling light!