Ron van der Vlugt thought he would be glassblowing the rest of his life.
But now, looking around his Rotorua studio at the selection of meticulously crafted bowls, lampshades and perfume bottles, the local artist has to face the reality his life's passion is detrimental to his health.
With his right hand crippled by the constant turning and squeezing required of the art form, Mr van der Vlugt's doctor gave him an ultimatum - give up glassblowing or lose function in your hand.
For the last five years Mr van der Vlugt has been in denial, but in December he made the decision he never thought he would - to step away from the furnace and put his workshop up for sale.
Mr van der Vlugt said the decision to walk away at what he considered to be the height of his career had been tough.
"It has hit me hard, especially because I was in denial about the deterioration of my hand for so long. I never thought there would be a time when I wasn't glassblowing. I guess I'm pulling a John Key and bowing out while I'm on top.
"I was in my 30s when I went to Wanganui Polytechnic for summer classes and after two weeks I was hooked on glassblowing. It had the three key things - it was challenging, physical and creative."
His education didn't stop there, continuing his studies in Japan where he was taught the Italian technique of glassblowing by masters from Italy.
ARTIST: Local glassblower Ron van der Vlugt has made the difficult decision to give up his life's passion for the sake of his deteriorating hand. PHOTO/BEN FRASER
"I had other careers before this so I know I can move on to something new but I think it will still need to involve glass and be creative."
His distinctive barn-shaped workshop de Flute Glass, which opened in 1999 on Fairy Springs Rd, has been on the market for two weeks and he desperately hopes a fellow glassblower takes up the opportunity.
"This [de Flute Glass] grew from the ground up. Hand-blown glass being a luxury item, the recession hit us pretty hard. It was a tough way to make a living, which is why I relied on minimal assistance so I could make a real go of it.
"I've had interest from three glassblowers, including a woman from Minnesota wanting to migrate here, so I am just desperately hoping one of them takes the offer up because my dream is to see this place keep going."
He said should a glassblower buy his workshop, it would also mean he could ease his way out.
"That's another bonus. For me it would be a terrible shame to see this place become a showroom or something.
"The Rotorua community has been amazing. People have come in commiserating seeing the 'for sale' sign out the front.
"I've had people in their 20s come in to buy an item and tell me about how they used to watch me make the pieces when they were at primary school.
"That education and spreading of the art form was such a major component of why I do what I do. Many glassblowers don't like having an audience because the process is so precise and requires intense concentration.
"But I've always welcomed people in to watch, I don't always notice they're there because you get into the zone but by seeing the work that goes into each piece, people develop an appreciation for the finished product."
Once the workshop sells, Mr van der Vlugt's final pieces will be distributed to other galleries.
"There are a few favourites I'm planning to put aside for myself though," he said with a grin.
Mr van der Vlugt said there were positives to come out of the situation.
"It's that old saying, when one door closes, another one opens. I don't know what that other door is opening to yet but it will be something good."
The workshop goes to auction on June 22, unless sold prior.
