The History of Gläzenfyre

In October of 1997, Patti was visiting a friend (Hi, Jessie!) in Montclaire, NJ when she stumbled across a beautiful little studio called "Doing Dishes". She sat and painted a goblet as a gift for her friend. It was so relaxing and the time flew by a bit too quickly. She was hooked.

 

When she returned to Virginia Beach, she shared the concept of the contemporary studio with her friends and family. She talked it over with Mary and the mother and daughter team formed PaMarti, LLC in January 1998, with the sole purpose of opening their own contemporary ceramic studio. Writing the business plan, getting financing and locating the perfect spot took almost 7 months.

 

Coming up for a name for the studio took almost as long. People ask what "gläzenfyre" means and if it's Swedish or Dutch. It's neither, it's PaMarti-an!

 

The grand opening party was held in the Pleasure House Rd studio on August 8, 1998. A little more than a year later, in October of 1999, the studio was doubled in size and a second party room, the Play Pit and paint bar were added.

 

In November of 2000, Glazenfyre once again grew by adding a “temporary” studio in the old AMC theatre space at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News. Originally there only for the holidays, Glazenfyre remained there for 6 months (Nov. 200—April 2001) while looking for a new permanent space. Finally a space was located and  Glazenfyre moved into the old Oser Brothers Shoe Store in quaint Downtown Hampton in May of 2001. After struggling continuously with that location for over 2 years, it was finally closed in Sept 2003. We were sad to finally close the doors but we met so many wonderful people during our time there that it was all worth it!

 

After 7 years of being tucking away in a charming little corner of Church Point Commons, Glazenfyre moved to a new location at 375 Independence Blvd in the Pembroke Plaza Shopping Center. Moving closer to the exciting Town Center area makes us more convenient to our customers and the new studio is sooooo beautiful! And…...we added a clay and mosaic room!

 

(Also in early 2005, Glazenfyre licensed its name to Scott & Diana Snyder who opened a studio in Chesapeake. Ask them about their own history...)

 

Remember life is a canvas — splash some paint on it!