Metaphora is the place that defies descriptive boundaries and limits, it is the place of mind within matter, the seat of the living spirit and glass is its alchemy in practice.

Between the moments in time, between the pages, between the lines… There is an ever-unfolding cascade of experience. The sure grip of knowing dissolved in the chaos of the unknown and always a nearly indescribable sense of being more. A simultaneous sense of being both the outer world we look upon and our individual selves. There is a way to carry over this sense of living magic within dreams and symbols. There is a way to be ever moving and ever growing. A sacred place allotted to each of us for our communion with the interface of imagination and reality. The eternal, holy, human spirit. Metaphora is the place that defies descriptive boundaries and limits, it is the place of mind within matter, the seat of the living spirit and glass is its alchemy in practice.

Heather Brewer

Traversing through this life, I’ve become enchanted with its beauty and mystery. I and many reach out in any way we can to share the gifts given by this life and the inspiration it can show us. There are fears and wonders we will long to convey to one another, through speech, yes, but also through the expression of art. We desire to connect with each other and know that our relationships go beyond proximity. … We may need to be reminded now and then that there is light beyond the shadow… but there always is.

Jason Brewer

Perhaps it was first the symbolic nature of things that lead us to begin artistic expression. Perhaps there was an essence behind the implications of the changing weather that impressed upon us a deep sense of meaning in our world. The dreams to follow would lead ever deeper into these meanings and again be repeated in visions of past and future. How could we reach across time and carry these sentiments of impression cast upon us by the outer world? Before the spoken word we saw deepest into our inner world as we gazed outwardly in that time. We saw there before us a way to be in communion, to be in communication…perhaps we were once one and this is the experience of separation, I don’t know but maybe we could find out…maybe.

Our Process

When we design glass pieces for Metaphora we begin by listening and observing. We listen for what the inner and outer worlds are trying to say and we watch for themes around us to emerge through the static of the moments. During the creation of a piece many iterations take place. These iterations lead to each design and as the glass begins to express itself, we guide the process until in a final tuning of ideas the expression is fully realized. 

When working with glass there are opportunities to hold certain textures and utilize different reactions within the glass. Colors can be layered and mixed and the raw materials can be refined into each individual component of the work. When a design is mastered, it is then rigorously documented and the piece begins the process of batch production. Here every piece is assembled individually and “fired” numerous times in order to catch the glass at the perfect moment as it becomes free flowing. Each batch of glass is then annealed for lasting strength in order that each piece when loved can last hundreds of years. As pieces are pulled from the kiln they are drilled and fire polished then ground to an impressive finish. Lastly the work is examined thoroughly, cleaned, and has sterling silver findings added.
Fire
Air
Earth
Water