Hula beads and art glass. specializing in hand made glass art.
My name is Jim Graper,
I was born in Hawaii in 1969, grew up in Kailua, Oahu, and have lived all over the Islands since then. My wife and I have settled on the Big Island living on the side of the active volcano Kilauea.
I was exposed to art at the young age of 7 by my Aunt Miriam. She bought us a little fisher price electric wheel for throwing pots. I was hooked. Over the years I would continue working with clay. Then in College, at the University of Hawaii I saw molten glass for the first time. It's been glass ever since.
From 1998 to 2005 I lived and worked at the Hui No'eau Visual arts center on Maui. I was the caretaker,handyman,gardner,security.
About 2003 I started working at HOT ISLAND GLASS on the weekends. This is a little glass studio in Makawao, Maui. Chris Lowry and Chris Richards the owners & glass blowers, are good friends of mine. They have been a major influence in my glass work. Mahalo!
Since arriving on the Big Island in 2005, I had worked on getting my studio together. I rebuilt my furnace with the guidence from Hugh Jenkins. Hugh has been designing glass furnaces since the 70's. We rebuilt my furnace and put a recouperator on it. Thanks to Hugh, This has saved me in my fuel cost My studio is mostly scavanged parts that I've collected over the years. it's amazing what you can do with equipment that nobody wants anymore.
I am fascinated with glass and what can be done with it. I find myself experimenting with colors and shapes. Ahh, art is good.
Please look around on the site and if you have any questions feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you.
