Glass for all its fragile grace, reflective colors, and unique shapes, starts as nothing more than sand. And yet suddenly, with the addition of heat and the skilled labor of the glass blower, a treasure arises from the ashes. And while sand just blows away, the artistic glassware that is born from it can last forever. Collectors of artistic glassware are passionate and steadfast in their quest to find the pieces that will fulfill a sentimental desire or those that are considered a worthy - and profitable