By Stacy Downs
McClatchy Newspapers
(MCT)
Growing up in
Seeking independence from European business constraints and high energy costs, in 1981 Pearce moved his studio from
We caught up with Pearce by telephone.
Q. How did you get started making glass?
A. I started collecting glass from antique shops because it had the character and individuality of handmade pots. Current glass was more mechanized, so it was perfect and identical. I wanted to make functional glass, not art glass.
Q. Tell me about your new book, "A Way of Living," that you wrote with your wife, Pia.
A. There are 180 pages. It's organized into three sections: our home, our products and recipes from our restaurants.
Q. Tell me about your home.
A. It's a barn frame that we added on to. It's in the country, and it's quiet and peaceful. We have a driveway that's a half-mile long. The interior is a mix of traditional and modern pieces. It's got plastered walls and old wood floors. It's comfortable and very casual.
Q. How casual?
A. So casual that there's a rope hung from the rafters for our energetic sons to swing on. We have four, ages 21 to 28: Andrew, Adam, David and Kevin.
Q. Do you collect anything?
Q. How do you have your own work displayed?
A. Plates and glasses are on open shelving in the kitchen. Everything is functional, so I just use the candle-sticks, vases and lamps as needed.
Q. What's your favorite piece by you?
A. I don't have one because I've designed it all with the criteria that I'd be happy to have it in my own home. I'm proud of the
Q. Which of your pieces are the most difficult to make?
A. The
Q. What's next?
A. I'm 63. There's a president that handles the day-to-day running of the company, which has freed me up to be more creative. I'm blowing glass again. I'm proud that we produce everything in America. It's very challenging to do.
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