the glass issue
ALASKA
Skyler Baisch spent his early years on a horse ranch in Colorado before moving to the wilds of Detroit. In his early teens, he was uprooted again and found himself deep in the backwoods of Wasilla, Alaska. Predominantly known
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for producing some of the state’s best Cannabis, Baisch’s new home was the catalyst behind his love of the plant and blowing functional glass. Although Baisch was actively producing glasswork in his early 20s, he put his passion aside to start a family. After years of working in landscaping, the perils of COVID-19 put his small business on the ropes and signaled his return to glass. “The landscaping business was falling on its face. I mean, who wants to call somebody to mow the lawn or cut down a tree when you have to worry about a pandemic,” explains Baisch.
Skyler Baisch APr. 2021
With a focus on providing for his family, Baisch has set up shop in a gutted 1969 Shasta trailer in his yard. For the moment, the cost of shipping glass materials, limited space and the Alaskan market have dictated that Baisch focus on creating spoons – but don’t be surprised if you see big things coming from him soon. @SKYLERBAISCH
STORY & PHOTOS by O’HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS/LEAF NATION