{"id":61816,"date":"2017-10-31T18:07:52","date_gmt":"2017-10-31T22:07:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.uncommongoods.pro\/?p=61816"},"modified":"2018-01-04T14:04:28","modified_gmt":"2018-01-04T19:04:28","slug":"stephen-kitras-glass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uncommongoods.pro\/blog\/2017\/stephen-kitras-glass\/","title":{"rendered":"The World Through Orange-Colored Glasses: A Conversation with Stephen Kitras"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Stephen Kitras<\/a> in his Fergus, Ontario studio, photos by Jen Coleman <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

During the first week of October, I traveled to Toronto to attend the annual B Corporation<\/a> Champions Retreat. (And to celebrate our 10th anniversary<\/a> as a founding B Corp!) Less than a week before I was set to leave for my first-ever trip to the Great White North, I learned that Stephen Kitras, a long-time member of our maker family, owns and operates the largest hot glass blowing studio in Canada. I immediately contacted the Kitras Art Glass<\/a> team with fingers crossed, hoping to squeeze in a last minute visit while on their side of the continent. A few days later, I found myself in Fergus, Ontario, thrown into the fire of glassblowing alongside artists who have traveled from all over the world to practice their craft at Stephen’s studio.<\/em><\/p>\n

Located along the Grand River, about 67 miles outside of Toronto, Fergus boasts beautiful stone architecture built by early Scottish settlers. The charming town might lack hot temperatures, but in my mind everything about it is warm. From the autumnal rolling landscape and cobblestone streets, to the tree-lined murals decorating Stephen’s showroom, it’s evident why Stephen and the Kitras team operate with the mantra “when surrounded by beauty, the spirit is uplifted.”<\/em><\/p>\n

This year marks our 11th holiday season working with Stephen and his team. An afternoon with the Kitrases taught me that real secret to their success isn’t just the timeless quality of their product, but should also be credited to the strong bonds inside Stephen’s studio. Kitras Art Glass is a tried-and-true family business, with Stephen’s daughters Sophie and Lucy having leading roles within the company and welcoming every employee as an extended member of their family. (After all, if he were left to his own devices, Sophie and Lucy joked, everything made by Kitras Art Glass would be orange–Stephen’s favorite color).<\/em><\/p>\n