Luminescent pears
win the hearts of thousands
By Laura Hesse
(Picture: Ted
Jolda with his limited edition glass
pears. Photo: SeaSide Studios, Parksville, BC)
Local Oceanside artist Ted Jolda’s now infamous luminescent pears have won over the hearts of thousands, from celebrities like Oprah to the littlest child amongst us.
On October 26th, the BC Ferries Passages gift shops are releasing a custom version of one of Jolda’s most popular selling Christmas ornaments – the pearly pear. The BC Ferries version is smaller than the original, gold in color with a feint silver tinsel tinge. This size is a limited run, custom crafted by Jolda, and is only available while quantities last as a special Christmas promotion.
“It was a new personal record for me. I had to have 1,000 pears completed by October 1st. As I make each pear by hand, by myself, I worked some pretty long hours. My neighbors and my family helped with quality control and the tagging of each of the pears. I’m very lucky to have such support.”
Jolda also adds, “I was thrilled that BC Ferries is showcasing local BC artists in their gift shop. They carry my glass work on a regular basis, but this was something special.”
Jolda will still have his regular sized pears available this season, but they won’t just be gold. “I like an array of colors from red to silver to gold. Every piece is different. That’s the fun of glass.”
Jolda does not sell out of his own gallery like many artisans. He likes to keep his working space private and focuses instead on special local appearances at events such as the Village Christmas Arts Faire at the Qualicum Beach Memorial Hall from November 27th – 29th and the Circle Craft Christmas show in Vancouver on November 12 – 14th.
Other than that, you will find his glass pieces at various galleries and shops through-out Vancouver Island as well as on BC Ferries Passages Gift Shops.