Anderson finds his inner flame

Students juggles school, business

As the sweat quickly trickles down the forehead of Anthony Anderson he ties back his dreadlocks and continues to rotate a rod of glass above a scorching blue flame.

Anderson reaches for his tools then guides the hot glass to the shape he has envisioned, and carefully places the finished product into the oven.

Anderson used his engineering background to transform an old-fashioned curling iron into a functional oven for his art pieces, and throughout his process of glass blowing.

Anderson is currently studying Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University- Kingsville (TAMUK).

“When I was growing up, I knew I wanted to provide for the world. Everything and anything are electrical and what has advanced us,” Anderson said.

It has been almost three years since Anderson started his business, “Squizit Glass,” which is his way of playing off the term Exquisite.

Squitiz Glass is more than just glass blowing to Anderson, it his own way of expressing himself into the art he creates.

Anderson’s work has grasped the attention of glass blowers across the nation and Instagram. 

With the help of his mentors and nearly 4,000 followers, Squizitglass is expected to grow quite rapidly.

At the moment Anderson is creating custom marbles, pendants, cups and vases with his signature smiley face to “give off positive vibes to his customers.”

Anderson gives every person who enters the garage the opportunity to attempt blowing glass, and offers them the chance to collaborate with him.

Christian Gonzalez, customer and Anderson’s friend, spoke about the experience of getting behind the torch and looking up to Anderson.

“It has been an interesting ride. I started watching him when he first started doing this and he has come a long way. Watching him is inspiring, he’s always busy and trying to do something with his life. There was a time in my life where I really didn’t want to do much, but now I do thanks to [Anderson],” Gonzalez said.

Anderson’s impact does not stop there. He also donates a portion of his profits to the organization 361awareness.org. 

“With all the side money I have I try to accumulate hand sanitizer, ponchos, hot cocoa and I try to give it to the homeless people in Corpus Christi. I try to remind them that it’s not over, they’re still here and I care. This is more than just community service and giving stuff away. I want this process to be more personal to the homeless and less fortunate,” Anderson said.

Despite his increasing engagement and involvement in the community, Anderson remains humble and appreciative.

While many glass blowers have an art studio with plenty of space to store their equipment, Anderson has converted a portion of his grandfather’s garage for his studio.

Anderson proved he was willing to do anything for his business by creating his own ventilation system, to safely extract and redirect harmful materials from the air in his workspace.

“I have noticed his business sales steadily increase and he has improved at making products. He is quirky, focused, humble and keeps his eye on the prize. He is putting the work in now to see it all pay off later,” grandfather Larry Albanes said.

Albanese has cared for Anderson throughout his childhood during the incarceration of both of his parents, to which Anderson has used as motivation.

“Everyone wants to be valid and recognized; but you need to realize in order to be recognized you need to provide for the world, not just yourself. I got into glass because I wanted to get into the scientific side of it [by creating glassware, phone screens and street lights,” Anderson said.