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Health & Fitness

Three Questions with The Chief Executive Artist of Trezora Glass Art Jewelry

Trezora of Campbell is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month

Congratulations Trezora (www.trezora.com) fuzed art jewelry of Campbell on your 10th anniversary this month.

Trezora’s founder and Chief Executive Artist is Crystal Ouzillou, a savvy businesswoman, ace glass artist and teacher, jeweler, devoted community volunteer at her synagogue, women's philanthropy and her son’s Boy Scout Troop, and mom. Crystal teaches at the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto and at the Rec Center in Sunnyvale. She's also been known to teach private classes too.

Originally from Austin, Texas, Crystal is a Southern-style firecracker when it comes to her passions which include cooking and veganism, which she says she practices for health reasons, advocating for stronger academic programs in the public schools especially when it comes to math, her husband Mendy and 12 year old son, Jacob, and last but not least, her ultra-adorable rescue Chihuahua Chili.

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She has overcome some obstacles over the years and says that healthy eating and fusing art into her life have helped her not only survive but also thrive. She also enjoys making women look beautiful with her original designs handmade right in her studio behind her house.

Trezora’s handmade art glass merges art and style and features pendants, glass earrings, glass necklaces, art glass, and home decor.

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I was thrilled when I dropped my son off at her house for a play date three years ago and she mentioned off hand that she had a full glass art studio, 63 solar panels that fuel her studio and home, five kilns including at least one that goes up to 1700 degrees, grinders, a sand blaster, all sorts of big pieces of equipment, and several amazing original pieces of jewelry right there.

I have since then bought several pairs of earrings and two necklaces which I wear often.

It was also fun when she invited our sons’ Cub Scout den to her studio to work on glass art projects. My son Scott had a blast and brought home a couple of really nice creations. Our boys are now in Boy Scouts fast working their ways up to Eagle Scout.

Crystal’s husband Mendy, a semi-conductor start-up marketing executive and son, Jacob, also get in on the action. Both have worked in the glass studio and know how to do a lot of the steps in making original creations.

Here are three questions with the owner of Trezora:

Moi: You were born in Texas and before moving to Campbell, lived in Seattle. What made you move to the Bay Area and how do you like it?

Crystal: I've moved several times due to my husband's start-up opportunities. We were in Seattle before the Bay Area. We all loved the Pacific Northwest and didn't mind the rain. We minded the gray weather! Having come from the Sun Belt it was a very hard adjustment to greatly diminished sunshine. We also didn't want to move back to Texas because of the heat so the Bay Area was at the top of the list. We all love it here and are here to stay. I love my Texas heritage and I love, love California! There are a lot of super interesting people here.

Moi: Veganism seems to give you a lot of benefits as far as health and energy. Can you give people tips on adopting a vegan lifestyle? What’s your favorite vegan dish?

Crystal: Being vegan isn't nearly as hard as most people seem to think it is! People are always so concerned about where I get my protein. I find that in interesting focus. There is protein is nearly everything as it's the building block of all cells. That being said, I don't worry about it. I eat an incredibly varied diet with nuts, beans, veggies, carbs, seeds, oils and a healthy glass of our terrific local wines. Cooking vegan does take a little bit of a learning curve as you learn about substitutions. Just don't give up. Try it for 30 days and let how you feel physically help you decide if you want to continue. I've never looked back six years later. I don't really have a favorite dish. It usually has to do with something fresh out of my organic garden.

Moi: You overcame some major personal obstacles years ago. Does making beautiful original art jewelry in your own studio help you maintain a positive attitude?

Crystal: Absolutely! It really grounds me. Almost everyone is in a much more positive frame of mind when in that creative mode. Sometimes I get cranky! Then I look back on it and realize I hadn't gotten that much studio time. I always make a point to be in the studio but there are times due to my son's schedule or my volunteering and teaching that I'm not in there every day. I really feel it. It allows me to let everything go and let my mind go in a different direction. When I'm in the middle of something I won't eat, drink or even realize it has gotten dark outside. There have been many times I've looked up and had to run inside and quick throw some sort of dinner together in 15 minutes or less. Good thing my food is quick and easy to prepare!

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To buy Trezora jewelry visit the website www.trezora.com and follow Trezora on Facebook. Just like “I Fused Glass Classes.” (https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Fused-Glass-Classes/170660446289363) Crystal Ouzillou posts art classes and other events on Facebook so it's a great way to stay in touch.

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