HAND MADE
IN CALIFORNIA
Inspired by Caleb Siemon's apprenticeship in Murano, Italy, our glass studio design incorporates Italian elements in every aspect, from bench heights to specialized tools. Glass blowing is a synergistic art form, and the studio is designed to facilitate a fluid process, enabling our skilled team to transform molten glass into beautiful and functional works of art together.
“Glassblowing is a team sport,” says Caleb. “It requires a united effort from multiple people to create one design.” Every glass piece is hand formed by the talented team at the studio in Aliso Viejo, California. All of the custom metal components are designed, fabricated and finished locally or in house. “This allows us to maintain the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship in our work. The studio is made up of a team of master craftspeople that have a passion for what we do and the designs we make.”
The studio's aesthetic reflects the evolved craftsmanship of Muranese tradition coupled with the balance and restraint of the Scandinavians. Caleb and Carmen draw as much inspiration from the medium as they do from the place where they live and work. "We always start with an idea but remain flexible to allow for the natural qualities of the materials," says Caleb. "The element of the unknown has always attracted me to glass, and to California for that matter," says Carmen. "There's a tangible sense of adventure, as well as beauty, layered within the landscape. We try to embrace that."
Meet the Team
Samuel Vazquez
​
Sammy felt his calling to the arts as a young boy growing up in the family jewelry business. As far as his memory goes back, he remembers making and designing products. After high school, he studied glass blowing at Cal State Fullerton; at this time he also started apprenticing with Siemon & Salazar in 2010. Two years later, he was a full-time team member, and for the last 14 years, Sammy has become an integral part of everything made in the studio.
Rachel Perez
​
Rachel has always loved the arts; since she was a kid, all of her free time was spent drawing, painting, sculpting, and sewing. However, the strongest pull was toward 3-dimensional mediums of creating. While majoring in studio art at Cal State Fullerton, her passion for glass developed. She took one stained-glass class and was hooked on the material. She fell in love with the beauty of the process and the challenges of blowing glass.
Matthew Ryan
​
Some of Matt's earliest memories are of tinkering in his garage with his dad; he also loved to draw. His dad and grandpa were artists, and many of their pieces were around his home while he was growing up. This early exposure to art inspired Matt to pursue the arts in college. It was a 3-dimensional art class during his studies where he discovered glass blowing. Shortly after his introduction to glass, he started working at Siemon & Salazar, and since graduating, he has been a full-time part of the team since 2015.
Paul Brayton
​
Paul was first introduced to glass while attending Pitzer College in Claremont Ca. All art majors had to complete an independent study off campus and he found a local glass artist (Rhys Williams) who agreed to take him under his wing. He was immediately mesmerized by the characteristics of glass. The heat, the fluidity of the material, and the continuous movement, dexterity and patience it takes to create anything out of glass.