When trekking the winding paths of the Big Butte Loop, divert your gaze toward the summit where the iconic “M” stands sentinel. On a sun-kissed day, instead of catching glimmers of hopes and dreams from the local college students, you’ll encounter a surprising sight: the glint of broken glass and ceramics scattered across the land like forgotten treasures. This picturesque spot, ideal for play and hiking, harbors a peril amongst it’s beauty - a minefield of sharp shards. Glass, with its stubborn longevity, refuses to fade away, posing a lasting challenge for generations to come.
For our family of four, the weekly ritual of hiking the loop is a cherished tradition. The trail, perfectly suited for our little ones, offers a medley of delights - panoramic vistas, verdant foliage, and the simple joy of collecting rocks - a hobby now abandoned in favor of glass. We reveled in discovering unique stones, tumbling them and unraveling their mysteries.
One fateful day, my husband tossed in a few colored shards into our rock tumbler out of sheer curiosity. Ten days later, a curious heap of glass and rock graced our kitchen counter, silently awaiting our attention. Amidst the chaos of daily life, it lay forgotten until a serendipitous moment during a lengthy phone call sparked our interest. As we chatted on the phone, our hands mindlessly sifted through the pieces like a puzzle. Playful shapes emerged, igniting a spark of creativity.
In October 2023, we assembled our first framed glass piece for a Hungry Hill fundraiser - a whimsical fusion of locally sourced glass with the smooth allure of sea glass. To our astonishment, it garnered a bid at the auction, albeit from my parents. Nonetheless, the validation and encouragement we received that night fueled our creative ambitions, kindled by the supportive community of Butte.
Inspired by this newfound passion, our family pondered the prospect of turning our humble project into a business venture - an opportunity to impart valuable lessons to our children about artistry, entrepreneurship, and responsibility. Could we truly make this dream a reality?
With the unwavering support of two Butte businesses, Drizzle Sips and Scoops/Paper Cranes and Plantosaurus Rex, we embarked on our entrepreneurial journey. Their belief in our vision allowed us to showcase our art and connect with the local community. Grateful for their backing, we forged ahead navigating the complexities of sales tax, shipping logistics, marketing strategies and finding glass in the snow.
Seven months later, armed with experience from local markets, a functional website, and a logo designed by our daughter, we proudly bear the moniker of Montana See Glass. It is a testament to our mission of transforming local discarded glass into something beautiful. One of our proudest moments so far was leading the Young Creators group at the Clark Chateau through a See Glass project. One day, we hope to expand to take on more glass and keep it from ending up on our trails.
As we eagerly anticipate our debut as a featured artist at the upcoming Art Walk on Friday, May 3rd, we enjoy reflecting on the last seven months and how far we have come thanks to the Butte community. We extend a warm invitation to join us at Drizzle Sips and Scoops/Paper Cranes at 15 S. Montana from 5-8pm this Friday to say hi and check out our newest pieces.
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