Mantua – Carrie and Patrick Frost have been together since 2009. Carrie, an Aurora, Ohio native, met Patrick, who hails from the Chicago suburbs, at glass school. Since that time, they’ve collaborated on work while traveling the world, learning from masters in Italy, the Czech Republic and the US before finally setting up shop in Mantua in 2012. “We were ‘glass vagabonds’ for a while,” joked Carrie. “We definitely got the travel out of our system.”
Throughout their travels, they longed to set up their own shop in a small, rural community, and they found that opportunity in Mantua. “We found a place that accepts us, and is happy we’re here,” shared Patrick. The Frosts have invited local historical societies into their shop to share and learn. They learned that in the 1800s, Portage County had a vibrant glass industry, and that Mantua Glass produced many beautiful and useful items. Some of those pieces have served as inspiration for new Frost Glass work. “It’s nice to share a passion with people you’ve just met,” Carrie added. “It’s definitely a symbiotic relationship, where we give to the community, and it gives right back to us,” Patrick explained. Patrick and Carrie are active in the local community and serve as Trustees to the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation (DMRC).
The husband and wife team works hard to enrich their own lives, both individuals with their own designs, and together as Frost Glass. “These three separate identities have the same needs as a person, and need to be fed and attended to, added Patrick. “It’s great to have this partnership,” concluded Carrie. This local couple is driven by their passion to create and share their artistry, their love for each other, and their devotion to their rescue dog, Jeffrey, though not necessarily in that order.
Frost Glass has received national recognition as a 2015 craft finalist in the Martha Stewart American Made Awards, which highlight American artists and entrepreneurs. In addition, Carrie and Patrick are very busy in their Mantua studio making Sham-Rock glasses, as well as several other items, featured in the Uncommon Goods specialty catalog and web site. “We enjoy creating barware; it’s an everyday luxury,” explained Patrick. “Even though they’ll use it for a simple function, when they take it home, it will enrich their life.” Visit www.uncommongoods.com/product/sham-rock-glass to see their work.
But if you’re looking for beautiful, unusual holiday gifts, you don’t need to check out a catalog, or log on to a website. Just make plans to stop by the Frost Glass studio on W High St this weekend. On Friday, November 13th and Saturday, November 14th from noon until 4 pm, you can get a jump on your holiday shopping.
The holiday spirit will be flowing, as will craft beer samples from Garrettsville’s Main Street Brewing Company and locally made food items. Be sure and stay to watch a glassblowing demonstration, which will occur on the hour throughout the day. They’ll also be selling handmade glass items at affordable prices. And your local purchases will give back locally, as well, since Frost Glass will donate 20% of the weekend’s sales to the DMRC’s Small Business Encouragement Fund, which provides scholarships to businesses within the community.
For more information, visit their website www.frostglass.com, see them on Facebook, or call 1-877-600-FROST.
