The inside of artist Sally Guerard’s studio sits full of eclectic creations. Her studio, which is full of dolls and brooms, is down the road from her husband Judson, who specializes in glass. (MNJ photo/Ariana Maniatis)
BAKERSVILLE — Judson and Sally Guerard are not the average couple.
The two stay close to each other while creating as both are artists with neighboring studios and unique crafts on Toecane Road.
Judson Guerard, who practiced at Penland School of Craft in 1987, is a glassblower with unique pieces using natural elements to make each one pop with color. Neodymium, a chemical element, is added to a few of his pieces to give the glass a pink/blue hue in different lights.
“The furnace has a big chamber and holds about 350 pounds,” he said. “I cook the glass at 2,350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 or 12 hours.”
When the glass is hot enough, Judson can create.
“The quality of glass is like honey when it is really hot, as it cools it hardens,” Sally Guerard said. “They swing the glass and roll it and it will fold like fabric.”
Sally Guerard often helps her husband with his work. Judson Guerard said glass blowing takes plenty of time and patience.
“You use everything,” he said. “Earth, wind, fire and water. There’s a kindred spirit to it.”
Sally’s studio, which is just down the road from her husband’s, was built in 1940 and is filled with brooms and dolls.
“I make brooms and used to make dolls, but I am transitioning,” Sally Guerard said. “Because of the dolls, I got into making brooms because I originally wanted to make a witch doll. I found that I really liked it and liked the craftsmanship of it. I also do needle felting.”
The peaceful environment near the Toe River provides the couple a quiet and scenic place to perfect their craft.
“You’ve got to be really careful over making a living of what you enjoy because it becomes work,” Judson Guerard said. “But I still find it interesting.”