Alvin Becraft , The Basics

This is the story of :

Alvin Becraft, His Journey, his legacy,

Alvin Becraft was born on May 26, 1908 in Sapulpa County, Oklahoma. Where his parents decided to raise a family in the rural area of Creek County. His father, Ira Franklin Becraft, born on Dec. 15 , 1884, in Schuyler, Missouri. his death was on March 6, 1973, in Jefferson, Ohio. Alvin’s mother, Nellie Dean was born on Oct. 5, 1881, in Nodaway, Missouri, her death was on Feb. 28, 1961, in Weirton, Hancock County, West Virginia. Ira and Nellie Becraft had 6 children: Edward, July 1904-1960, Paul, 1906 -1931, Alvin, 1908-1972, Vernon 1910-1961, Lucille 1915- 1998, Alice 1921-2006: All born in Sapulpa Oklahoma.

Ira,

Alvin’s father, was structured when raising his boys. His influence and beliefs taught his children good work ethics. Sending them out on their own by the age of 12 years old to work. Ira was a lumber salesman at the time of Alvins birth. Alvin began his glass career as a “Carry Boy” at “Bartlett and Collins Glass Plant” in Oklahoma at the age of 14. Beginning the work force at the age of 12 years of age. Working as a Newspaper Boy and attending school. Enjoying the art of glass but soon putting school and the Newspaper job on the back burner to go to work at “B&C Glass” full time. Alvin continued to grow and learn the craft.

Arkansas, Employment,

In 1923 his parents, Ira and Nellie decided to pick up and move to Arkansas. It did not take long for the boys to pick up work. Ira and his sons were seen working at Witherspoon /Simpson Glass Plant, and Edward and Alvin at Radiant Glass Company in 1932 in Arkansas, this would be the last time I see all the boys together. In 1932 , Alvin and his brother Vernon were working at The Radiant Glass Company, with Vernon also working at Arkansas Glass. Although, not before Alvin met his beautiful wife. “ Levenia Leona Holland “ Marrying her on Sep 7, 1929, just one month before “The Wall Street Crash” and “The Great Depression” Alvin begins helping out at a Tailor Shop owned by the family. Keeping side jobs during this time, while working at “Yummy Yum Yum Ice Cream Company” than at a grocery store owned by Emmitt Craig and his wife, just another job he added to his agenda. Now holding a few jobs. It seems that Alvin stayed in the glass industry, working at Radiant Glass Company on and off during the depression years. This tells me “he loved working with glass”.also working at “Radiant Glass Plant” this soon became a full time job working through the early to mid 1940’s.

By 1948 Alvin now has three beautiful daughters, “Nancy Williams” and “Dolores Vernon” (my mother) and “Marilyn Becraft” Alvin now becoming established in Sebastian, Fort Smith, Arkansas on 15 th st.

The Marigold Glass Plant,

He was working at “The Marigold Glass Plant “ with “O.C. Hamon”. In 1954. O.C. The patriarch of a long line of boys following him in his footsteps. Filling the shoes of a well to do accomplished man. O.C. Also standing in his position as a glass blower a successful business man. Investing in gas wells on the same land where his business “The Marigold Glass Plant”. was located. Holding the patent on the infamous “hand blown glass swan”. Making light of the knowledge he held, utilizing it by incorporating his entrepreneur skills to mentor these young men. As Alvin picks up more skills proving to be an artists. O.C. And Alvin soon become an inspiration for each other while working side by side with George Werschsky while most of the workers went out to open their own shops after picking up some extra skills with O.C. Alvin too decided a big move, leaving “ The Marigold Glass Plant” by 1954.

In 1955, Emmitt Craig, the grocery store owner as mentioned above and Alvin build a one room factory, in Alvin’s own backyard. “The Becraft Hand Blown Glass Factory” in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on 15 th Street. Emmitt Craig begins to work next to Alvin in the production line. By 1958 production was well on its way. Soon making a name for himself and working next to many big named glass blowers. George Werschky, Emmit Craig , Ebb Kilgore, and Ed Kozouski along with his brother in law my Uncle Ralph Smith Sr. much younger, who would hang around watching and helping out when needed. (Ralph worked at Dixie Cup his entire life next to his wife Betty Anne)(working glass on the side.) These men were hard at work with so many glass plants in this area seeming to pop up everywhere. Competition was stiff. Alvin did not seem to be phased by any of the outside events stayed on track working hard at what he loved. Alvin worked on an artistic level with quality glass pieces. Using his knowledge along with his imagination was beginning to show up in his pieces., Alvin was working from 6am to late in the night. Business was booming as he continued to keep a production line of determined and experienced workers beside him.

Soon Alvin upgrades his shop, by adding a gift shop to his property along side of the furnace room, now equipped with a conveyer belt to carry the glass from the furnace room in the original main room to the back side of the shop, where the gift shop was built. Once his pieces were set up by colors and sets he could now present them in a more organized manner. Levenia his wife partners up with him. She handled the books and ran the gift shop. Soon she began to book tour buses through her church to bring customers to shop and view the new gift shop, now with an easier and more hospitable approach by adding her touch of refreshments and mingling amongst the visitors. These accomplishments were not left unnoticed. Alvin and his glass pack crew were finally being appreciated for their creative touch and originality. They soon found themselves in the public’s eye through magazines and newspapers showing off their unique way of doing things. Finally leaving guaranty and respect in the wake of all their hard work.

I remember when I was visiting at Christmas time, my grandfather had a case of glass click-clacks ( a children’s toy) Could it be that he was breaking them up for frit. If he did use them for frit than this was a clever move since recycled glass colors were minimal. Incorporating this into his daily routine could it be why he was so precise in positioning his broken up frit so carefully just maybe this is how some of the colors like he was able to pull off seen in some of his pieces, like his cobalt blues were slightly different than other pieces. Recycling anything that was glass was this a secret aspects of this art that was hidden from the public’s eye, that is if my suspicions are correct. Many of these blowers recipes were never revealed as we are finding out in our research today.As most of them took the recipes with them.

True artists,

Like with my grandfathers pull - ware showing off from his lifetime of seasoned skills using an experienced technique gained from a long life of working in a glass shop a real true glass blower, Showing heart and soul with sheer passion used to bring these glass pieces to another level. In the glass that we all see with the swirls of colors and precision, time and time again. The swirls of color in my grandfathers pull - ware is an art, not easy by all means, The patience. The perfection. The hours that were involved in crafting such a perfect gem. It is beyond comprehension the skill needed to be such a beautiful piece in the end showing up in the swans, cornucopias, morning glory’s, and lilies of my grandfathers and other artist as you see today. Many of these glass plants produced close to the same style of pieces. Although each holding a personal skill that shows up in each individual piece being presented. I believe if we put a comparison with a professional eye on the pieces in question, this would hold the answer to the true artist who crafted them.

These glass workers had a certain kind of relationship and a set of rules they put into place and though competitive in nature, they respected one another. All sharing their own new ideas, materials and skills that were picked up through the years.

Artists

I am here to honor their legacies with respect and appreciation for who and what they stood for along with their legacies they left behind. Representing them for who they would want to be remembered by. This glass era they worked through was an uphill battle on a daily basis and that we take for granite today! The work involved and the hours put in would stagger most men in this day and age. The men and the talent they brought to the table is incomprehensible and spectacular to say the least.

1972

Hero’s,

I now shine a light upon where they rest today as if to say” You will be in our hearts for who you all still stand for, we are proud of you all ” We will honor you!…… You , the predecessors and legatee’s that held our names and our memories thank you for all you left us with, you will only be respected and honored to the highest, as we will forever cherish all of you. As we will always remember who you were and what you stood for as great men. As always, we will keep you all close to our hearts. So thank you for your hard work and dedication providing a beautiful life for the ones that you all loved and cared for, so once again “thank you” for leaving us with a legacy of memories and the history in the wake of your presence while you walked beside us. You are missed!

Personal Disclaimer: 1 of 3 part series. Personal claim is accepted to be considered as my own personal opinion and not fact . Use of my research here to represent a legacy nothing more and held to be final. In progress : of corrections added information updated in a 3 part series 1/3 is put into place here and now….. in progress is stated.

My readers,

I want to Thank all my readers and the admirers for holding a deep interest in the art of glass blowing and the history of all of these amazing artists. I hold the most highest regards with respect and dignity for everyone enthralled in this amazing craft as we come together and share our special pieces we hold dear to us. These hard working men deserve to be reckoned with. So with love s and bd respect thank you again.