From Forgotten
to Unforgettable
Our Story
35 years of friendship reunited us when we needed each other most. It was September 2021, in a dreamy Cardiff by the Sea beach house in Southern California, when the blueprint for Glaroshe was realized. The span of 2021-2024 was one of the most challenging times of our lives, as many of you may relate.
Our lessons taught us the importance of regenerating and recreating new possibilities. We marveled at the endless possibilities of what was considered to be trash by many, all while our spirits had taken a dive into the dumps. We kept our chins up and cheered each other along. We knew we wanted to share something positive, to give back, and we worked diligently to pin point what truly spoke to us. We began making shell magnets with positive words, which activated positivity and healing within us, therefore, more vision naturally came to us. We chose to slow down and take time to reflect. In doing so, we spent our time collecting glass, shells and rocks from our local seashore. We remained committed to our passion to give back and for well rounded, healthy, prosperous lives.
Notably, after many beach walks and numerous powerful waves breaking on the shoreline, we quietly observed how the rocks and shells had naturally shaped and reshaped themselves in unison with the countless years of churning inside the big blue ocean. The more we slowed down to appreciate these tokens of the world around us, the more our personal issues seemed smaller. “If the natural elements and flow of the tides shape materials from the voluminous ocean so effortlessly, we can face straight ahead into all the difficulties laid out in front of us at this time and trust in the process,” we agreed. Our commitment to heal within and share out has brought us to a place of peace and synchronicity to be heard. We have discovered an avenue to express our passion and stories with you through the gift of Mother Nature and (wo)man kind!
-Cliff & Bonnie
Gla ~ Glass
Ro ~ Rocks
She ~ Shells
Glaroshe Handcrafted
The Glaroshe Process
The Hunt
Every adventure we set out on reveals pleasantly unexpected materials. From the seashore, to the desert floor, off the highways, into the dumpsters, and on the ground at our feet, we are always on the hunt. Be it an old bottle, a pottery shard, seashells, glass, or pebbles on the beach, each holds great value and worth a story to be told.
Refining
All materials are carefully refined with devoted craftsmanship, multiple tools and techniques. These resources generate sparks of creativity, thus inspiring their story to be told. Vintage plates, unwanted teacups, wine bottles, jam jars, ceramic, porcelain, rocks from the bottom of a lake, discarded items from the side of the road, fuel us to create and reuse what we already have within reach. All materials are reduced to a manageable size, as each piece takes its shape and its story begins. In each step we further the process, giving them the deep frosted look of sea glass or the bright sparkle of melted glass that many of our pieces display. Ceramic and porcelain are masterfully shaped. Those special pieces that are hand painted, are one of a kind Glaroshe Handcrafted.
Shaping
Every pair has its own recreation process. Shaping is the stage where individual pieces take form. While shaping, a personal relationship develops between the shaper and the material, a 2nd set of eyes is critical in this creative process. Together, Cliff and Bonnie get a feeling for each piece and its story to be told. In this stage, various tools and techniques are incorporated depending on the material being worked with. Glass, rocks, shells, ceramic, or porcelain – each one requires its own process and tools to achieve its final form. When it feels right and aligned, each set moves forward, opening the space for new creations to come through! Always trust in the journey!
Design
Our designs begin with the hunt. We derive great pleasure from finding discarded materials, be it glass bottles, porcelain, or any unique material from Mother Earth. Designs come into view first from the materials themselves, based on their unique curves, tones, and hues. We may work with embossed glass pieces or vintage glass with unusual patterns, pointing us in a specific creative direction. As these materials present themselves, their new life takes shape.
Final Touches
Every step of the Glaroshe Process is taken with careful consideration. This includes the findings and hardware each set is designed with. Sterling silver is our material of choice, due to its beauty, longevity, as well as being hypoallergenic. For the final portion of our process, each piece is held so that its story can be heard. Each piece is named and a message is written, meant for the one who is called to it. We appreciate the journey you are taking with us every step of the way. The positivity we send out is endless.
