Carlos & Sophia Covarrubias

Carlos Covarrubias (seen at right with daughter Haley), owner/gaffer for Rubi Glass, has always has a strong passion to create art. While attending UCSB, where he received a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering, he continued to explore his creativity through a variety of art mediums. After graduating, Carlos discovered the beauty of blown glass, and developed his skills and unique style.

Carlos' wife and partner, Sophia, has a background in art begins at an early age. A respect for creativity and craftsmanship has been an important facet of her life. Her father, a gifted wood craftsman, has been an influence towards her blossoming as an artist. In high school, she began to explore her interest in art through jewelry. She then continued her art studies with ceramics at Santa Barbara City College, which led her to molten glass.

Exploring the properties of this dynamic medium is how Carlos and Sophia learned that combining creative forces truly enhanced their ability to create. In 1995 Carlos and Sophia not only designed and built a glass blowing studio for Evans Designs of California, but also developed an original line of fine hand blown glass art, which has been very successful in the marketplace. Carlos has been recognized for his original designs. In 1997 he was a 9th ARTS AWARDS winner and in 1998 he also received the American Society of Furniture Designers Design Achievement Award. Together Carlos and Sophia continue to push their limits and explore the beautiful medium of glass.

Carlos also did international work in 1998 with some of the finest glass factories in Czech Republic. Working together with the design team of Tony Evans and Chip Scarborough, developed a unique line of hand blown art glass.