Island Treasures: Pele’s Glass Creations

Glass artisan Dave Karl, who lives close to actual lava flows in Puna, wanted to create the beauty of the lava eruptions. With Pele as his inspiration, he developed a special way of playing with glass to replicate lava explosions.

Pele’s Glass Creations are designed so that the glass is ever-changing.

“My speciality is fused glass lava explosions,” says Karl, who has lived most of his adult life in Hawai‘i. “My lava explosions have one look with the light source behind the glass, and then, when the light source is in front, the glass has a totally different look. They are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.”

Dave was in retail management before he took an early retirement because of health issues. On a trip back to the Mainland to be with his ailing father and help with his care, he was fascinated with his dad’s stained glass hobby. He asked him to teach him how to work with glass, and at the age of 50, Dave says he found a creativity he never knew he had.

“Playing with the glass is something I can do on days I have energy,” he explains.

He has been “playing with glass” for 12 years now and doing fused glass for the past six. Fused glass is created by melting glass pieces together in a kiln.

“I now include fused glass in all of my stained glass panels. And I always put a red ribbon for AIDS awareness some place in each of my larger pieces.”

Pele’s Glass Creations can be found at the Hilo Farmers Market mauka craft tent on most Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. It is also available at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Volcano Garden Arts and at Kalani Oceanside Retreat in Kehena. Dave also participates in the Kokua Kailua Village Stroll in Kona along Ali`i Drive one Sunday each month.

Pele’s Glass Creations
808.938.9757
pelesglasscreations@hawaiiantel.net
www.pelesglasscreations.com