COPAVIC, R.L.
Glass Blowing Cooperative
The people of COPAVIC help protect the environment by transforming recycled glass into useful products.  The cooperative, which was founded in 1976, produces a wide variety of pitchers,  glasses, stemmed glasses, dishes, statuettes, ash trays, candle holders, and vases. The products are sold locally and shipped internationally. It is only open, though, when orders are being filled.

Here are some of COPAVIC's glass blowing techniques:

This cruet was blown, the handle was added, then it was cooled slowly in the back of a gas-fired annealing kiln. The sand on the floor of the kiln protects the piece as it is moved.

The glass bubble is spun, then blown into a mold to create a statue of Mary. After cooling in the annealer, the bottom is tapped smooth with a metal tool.

To create this goblet, glass is blown into a mold, a bit of glass is added and shaped for the foot, the rim is finished with a flame, then the goblet is cooled in the annealer.


To create interesting surface patterns, some of the pieces are sand-blasted at the cooperative.

You are welcome to visit the COPAVIC studio and sales gallery!


For more information about COPAVIC, you might be able to contact them (in Spanish) at:

COPAVIC, R.L.
Carretera al Pacífico Km. 217.5
Canton Pasac II, Cantel
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, C.A.

Telephone: 011-502-7830-9038

email COPAVIC


GUANAJUATO, MEXICO LINKS:
Ceramist, Angelica Escarcega Rodriguez
Ceramist, José Luis Méndez Ortega
Gorki Ceramics
Guevara Ceramics
Tecpatl Ceramics
Cane baskets
Jeweler, Francisco Garcia Guevara
Tinsmithing
ARTCERA Wax figures of Salamanca, Guanajuato
Betancourt Icons of Celaya, Guanajuato
Gobelin tapestry weaving in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato
Ikat foot-loom woven shawls of Moroleon and Uriangato, Guanajuato
Papermaker, Margarita Orozco Ramirez, of San Miguel, Guanajuato
Wood carver, Fernando Giron Pantoja, of Apaseo el Alto, Guanajuato

MORE LINKS:
Glass Bead Making in Odumase Krobo, Ghana
Glass Bead Making in Daabaa, Ghana
Pottery of Western Cameroon
Maya Reproductions

Web page, photographs, and text by Carol Ventura in 2002. Please look at Carol's home page to see more about crafts around the world.