THE MARBLE MUSEUM - Glass Artist

(The Glass Wizard)

"When it comes to making marbles I get lost in a hundred different directions"

Bruce’s enthusiasm for working hot molten glass from the torch or the furnace is his life passion. He has a wonderful spirit of imagination and it is with great pleasure that The Marble Museum Inc. received a donation of 36 examples of his art glass marbles. His artwork will become part of the permanent collection of The National Marble Museum.

(Bruce Troeh’s contribution of his art)

My Story

I first became hooked with the art of blowing glass using the furnaces at Iowa State University in 1977. We built our own furnaces and batched our own glass. With 2 – 100 pound tanks we could batch an opal and a clear or colored and clear or colored opal etc. Part of the fun was trying to keep both furnaces going at the same time for the six of us in the class to work on our own schedules. I miss those times. We were extremely experimental.

For ten years after college I worked stained glass. I painted, restored and installed church windows, as well as, making the famous Applebee’s balloon murals and bar canopies, but I found that it wasn’t the same thrill as working hot molten glass. Nothing has ever drawn me like the roar of the furnace and the smell of hot glass. It’s mesmerizing to me. The hours fly by. Though making art glass marbles with a torch comes close, I still have to fire the furnace up every now and then just to get that feeling back.

(Clown Sculpture Marble)

(Large Flame Marble)

In 1993 I purchased a torch and began to make marbles for my own enjoyment. When it comes to making marbles I get lost in a hundred different directions. Up until 3 or 4 years ago I made marbles strictly as a hobby. I was more interested in getting my skill level to a repeatable design without flaws than trying to sell a marble that may or may not be considered mint or museum quality. I wanted to achieve a "wow" response from collectors rather than "that’s pretty". To me, I love the color and impact of art glass marbles. I like intensity and high contrast. Glass today is has so much vivid color and diversity that it will keep me busy for the rest of my life just experimenting with the art of working molten glass.

"Marbles just feel right to me". Bruce Troeh

(Large Onionskin)

(Wizard's Eye)

(Marble cane and cut star murrine cane samples, along with a
variety of small cane and lampworked art glass marbles.)

(Panda Sculpture Marble)

(Lutz Style Marble)

(Rose, with Ladybug)

(Peacock Style Marble)

(Puppy Sculpture Marble)

(Bruce Troeh Marble Ring - donated by
Connie and V Cross Jewelers, Bossier City, LA)

The Marble Museum, Inc. wishes to thank Bruce Troeh for contributing this large selection of his art glass marbles to The National Marble Museum.
Please take time to visit his web site!

THE GLASS MARBLE

WELCOME MARBLE COLLECTORS!

	THE MARBLE MUSEUM
MARBLE MUSEUM HOME	*BRUCE TROEH*