Laisa Basirau finds joy in her work along Fiji’s stunning Coral Coast, where she transforms glass fragments into beautiful art pieces. As one of the few women glassblowers at Hot Glass Fiji, she has progressed over the past decade to become the project manager of Loloma Glass, a unique jewelry collection that creatively repurposes broken glass.
Originating from Korotogo Village, Ms. Basirau’s path to glassblowing was not initially clear. With aspirations that spanned beyond conventional boundaries, she embraced the idea of blending “men’s work and women’s work.” After high school, she had dreams of attending university, but life took a different turn when she became a young mother. Instead of faltering, Ms. Basirau’s determination remained strong as she navigated her new responsibilities.
To support her family, she began babysitting and eventually took on various jobs in the hospitality sector while caring for her ailing father. It was during this time that she learned of an opportunity at Hot Glass Fiji, where the founder sought an assistant in the studio. Her interest in trying new things led her to join the team in 2014.
Ms. Basirau’s initial role gradually evolved as she gained hands-on training in glassblowing, an intricate art form that requires patience, precision, and resilience. Over the years, she worked her way up from glassblower to studio manager, now spearheading the design and production of Loloma Glass. Her approach to glassblowing is one of continuous learning, acknowledging that each day brings new insights.
Describing glass as both unforgiving and transformative, she emphasizes the delicate balance of heat, timing, and technique required to create each piece. When mistakes happen, such as breakage, they reframe those moments as opportunities. This philosophy sparked the creation of Loloma Glass, where the team began to repurpose broken shards into wearable art, prioritizing sustainability and creativity.
The name ‘Loloma,’ meaning love, captures the essence of their affection for the craft and commitment to the environment. Each piece tells a story of transformation, with fragments turned into earrings, pendants, and other adornments that find their way to boutique shops and various retail outlets.
Ms. Basirau’s life journey parallels the glass she masterfully shapes—tested by challenges, refined by experience, and ultimately transformed into something extraordinary. As she leads Loloma Glass into innovative designs and new markets, she exemplifies the brand’s philosophy: even what seems broken can be reimagined into something valuable and beautiful.
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