ROWLAND: Tossed glass tumbles into art

Beautiful, functional and recyclable products are the specialty of the new Sierra Tumbled Glass.

The Modesto-based business makes glassware, artwork, garden accessories and more out of recycled non-CRV glass. Modesto husband-and-wife team Bobby and Gloria Williams and their son Mike Nixon run the business together.

The family has owned regular recycling centers in Modesto and Salida but got out of that business a year ago to pursue tumbled glass.

Gloria Williams said all the waste from non-CRV glass coming through their recycling centers inspired them to go a different direction.

"We saw all the waste that was happening," she said. "My husband and son said, 'We don't want to throw this stuff away, let's see what we can do with it.' "

What they ended up doing with it was making things such as drinking glasses, serving trays, garden stones, wind chimes, coat racks and glass mulch.

The center buys non-CRV glass such as wine and liquor bottles, mirrors and even tempered glass for 10 cents a pound. The only glass it won't take is car windshields.

It takes the glass and tumbles it, making it safe and removing sharp edges.

The glass mulch in particular is unique. Gloria Williams said it's practical and pretty. The mulch keeps snails, slugs and other pests out while adding color and shimmer.

"We really enjoy working with the glass," she said. "This keeps it out of the landfills, and we can do pretty things with it."

The Sierra Tumbled Glass showroom, at 1310 Seventh St., is open to the public 10 a.m. to2 p.m. Monday and Saturday and by appointment other times.

Call (209) 527-9796 or visit www.sierratumbledglass.com.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

Old Plantation Coffee & Cafe is open. Original Plantation Coffee co-owners Sandy and Rand Milone have a new coffee shop in Modesto after years of living in Southern California. The cafe at 3020 Floyd Ave. is in the site of the old Starbucks in the Village I center.

The cafe celebrated with a grand opening last month. It serves organic coffee and espresso, as well as fresh sandwiches, paninis, bagels, pastries, granola, salads and soups. The cafe recently added gluten-free and vegan pastries from Pure Love Baking.

The site has indoor seating for about 45, with additional patio seating.

Its hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to9 p.m. Sundays.

And finally, Vintage Faire Mall is accepting applications from nonprofit groups for its fountain coins.

The coins are donated to different charitable organizations annually. To receive a portion of the funds, groups must send in a written request. Requests should include group information, why the group could use the money and how it will be spent.

Recipients are responsible for cleaning the coins. The coins will be collected four to five times from June 2011 through May 2012.

The deadline to apply is June 10. Entries must be submitted to Vintage Faire Mall, in care of Janice Curtin, 3401 Dale Road, Suite 483, Modesto 95356.

To learn more, call (209) 527-3403 or e-mail janice.curtin@macerich.com.

Have an item for Business Beat? Contact Marijke Rowland at The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; (209) 578-2284 or mrowland@modbee.com.