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The Sand-Etched Turquoise Buoy Vase with Koa Design is a stunning work of glass art by Heather Mettler, a Big Island artist celebrated for her ability to capture the beauty of Hawai‘i in glass. With its vibrant turquoise body and intricate koa-inspired etching, this vase radiates both elegance and island heritage. Perfect as a centerpiece, a collector’s piece, or a thoughtful gift, it brings the textures and colors of the Pacific into your home.
Raised on the Kona coast, Heather Mettler has been immersed in Hawai‘i’s natural beauty her entire life—surrounded by hapu‘u ferns, wild ginger, sea turtles, dolphins, and lava fields. Her fascination with glass began as a teenager apprenticing under a sandblasting artist, sparking a lifelong passion for the medium. She went on to expand her expertise at the renowned Pilchuck Glass School, studying mosaic design with Felice Nittolo, and later earned her BFA in Glass from the University of Hawai‘i.
For over 20 years, Heather has worked in glass, inspired by its versatility and its kinship with water—fluid, textural, and alive once illuminated by light. Each piece she creates is informed by the Pacific’s ever-changing waves, which mirror the flowing, liquid potential of glass itself.
With its buoy-like silhouette and rich turquoise hue, this vase evokes the movement and depth of the ocean, while the koa design adds a rooted sense of place, honoring Hawai‘i’s cherished native wood. The sand-etched detailing provides both texture and dimension, creating a vessel that feels timeless yet deeply tied to the islands.
Collectors of fine Hawaiian glass art
Adding a bold statement piece to coastal or island-inspired interiors
A meaningful gift for weddings, anniversaries, or milestones
Displaying as art on its own, or using as a vase for tropical stems
Artist: Heather Mettler, Big Island of Hawai‘i
Medium: Sand-etched blown glass
Design: Turquoise buoy vase with koa-inspired etching
Dimensions: Approximate size may vary due to handcrafted nature
One-of-a-kind handcrafted artwork
The Sand-Etched Turquoise Buoy Vase with Koa Design by Heather Mettler is more than décor—it’s a luminous piece of Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural story, captured in glass.
