The ancient proverb — “He who rides a glass bicycle shouldn't take the bumpy road” — doesn't apply to the glass bicycles hand-sculptured by Leo Lyman.
From his home studio in Wildomar, California, Leo makes a wide variety of small glass bicycle gifts in the styles of road bikes, tandems, recumbents, and more. He even makes glass cake tops; I understand the glass tandem is popular for wedding cakes.
Examples of his work are displayed at his Bicycle in Glass website. I recently asked Leo how he got started making glass bicycle-style jewelry.
“I have been doing the bicycle glass since my son Scott was racing BMX, which has been about 22 years ago,” he wrote. “He then moved up to cross-country and down hill. I used to sell the bicycle glass at the races to pay for his races and accommodations.”
Home studio
Now he works from a studio at his home, where he has a few ovens. Leo sculpts the glass and his wife does all the 22 ct. golding and other things to the glass.
“I like doing it because I find it relaxing and I take much pride in seeing people enjoy my work.”
In addition to selling the jewelry and cake tops, he'll occasionally work for a florist.
Some of his pieces are abstract designs. And for recumbent bicycles, Leo suggests that folks send a picture of their machine because there are so many different types of 'bents.
I'd suggest keeping his website in mind for holidays and anniversaries.
1 comments
I purchased a glass bmx bike and all these years later, I broke it! I was hoping you are still making them.. can you please let me know how I can purchase again? Thank you!