Writer Master glass blower Francis Carey came to Sweetwater's Cox Jewelers, Tuesday, personalizing Waterford Crystal pieces. Johnson said 70 percent of Waterford's worldwide sales are in the United States. Waterford is special because it sparkles more than other crystals, Carey said.
Heavy crystal includes vases and light crystal is used in items such as wine glasses.
Ronnie Cox, the store's owner, said the personalizing events are business successes. This is the third time Waterford craftsmen have come to Cox Jewelers in the last three years, Cox said. Waterford dealers have to apply to be stops on the promotional tours and application approval is partly based on how well shops sell Waterford pieces, Cox said. Carey said 300,000 people tour the Waterford plant each year, and many of the people who talk with him have toured the plant. Cox Jewelers has carried Waterford products for the last 40 years, Cox said.