Story
THE TECHNIQUE.
The artisans make glass in much the same way as it has always been made. They grind quartz, plant ash (otherwise known as 'Ishkar'), and natural oxides together to create the vibrant colours which once made Herat’s glass so famous. Each individual glass is blown by hand, and fired in a traditional mud brick kiln.
THE IMPACT.
With the local market for handblown glass drying up due to the arrival of cheap Chinese glass in Afghanistan, the artisans are struggling to find new apprentices. Each sale of Herati glass will help build the stability they need for their business to grow.