A work of Class

Among the mountain of riches accumulated by Bruneian Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah Bolkiah and commoner Sarah Salleh as presents for Their wedding yesterday, one gift represents a great moment of opportunity for the creative Thai couple who made it.

Sandblasting specialist Sanchai Somboonsook was hired by Urdan Electroetech Industry of Brunei to produce a three-by-four-foot etched-glass artwork bearing portraits of the groom and bride decorated with gold leaf. With a budget of Bt 100,000, and only two weeks, Sanchai and his wife Naowarat were able to expertly turn glass and gold into an elegant work of art. They wee able to finish just in time, after many sleepless nights.

On Tuesday Sanchai flew to Brunei to personally deliver the handsome gilded etching to the company before his latest masterpiece was presented to the royal couple.

“It’s my great pleasure to think that my creation is in the palace of Brunei,” says Sanchai. “It’ll be good for my reputations well.” Sanchai and his wife have more than 10 years of experience in making glass artworks, such as decorative etchings and engravings, carved glass bath and shower enclosures and glass trophies and souvenirs.

The couple has fielded many questions from bewildered people wondering what exactly it was they did, and how they could really prosper in such an improbable career. But the couple has proven that a local market does exit for their uniquely beautiful works.

“During the first two years in this business, we offered discounts and gave customers extra goods to make our products known among the public, says Naowarat.

With their obvious and rare talents using the complicated equipment and techniques needed to shape the glass, Sanchai and Naowarat have attracted the attention of many local art lovers and collectors.

“Importantly, we have to maintain the work quality to please customers because the art of glass sculpture needs patience and dedication, the main keys to producing good work,” says Sanchai.

Most of the creative couple’s customers hear of and come to their shop on the recommendations of the growing ranks of other satisfied customers.

“Actually, we don’t even have a name for our shop yet,” say Sanchai .

But they do have a website. If you’re interested in finding out more about the elegant final results from the dangerous and delicate art of sandblasting, visit www.artsglass.net.

Tanita Saenkhun, The Nation