Brittle business.

Byline: Kiera Hay

Sep. 12--SANTA FE, N.M. -- The starving artist may be a cliche, but what happens when it's not a lack of talent or recognition that prevents an artist from making money, but rather the expense of their chosen medium?

That's the harsh reality setting in for some Santa Fe area glass blowers who work with equipment powered by gas and electricity. As energy prices spike, many are increasingly feeling the financial strain.

The cost of residential natural gas has risen steadily over the past decade, according to the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration. In 1995, the cost in dollars per thousand cubic feet was $6.06. A decade later, it was $12.82, and $13.53 is the projected cost for 2007. Electricity prices have also risen, although less dramatically. Electricity, in cents per kilowatt hour, cost $8.40 in 1995, and increased to $9.43 by 2005. Consumers can expect rates of $10.63 in 2007.

"People are beginning to realize this is really serious. We might lose a huge chunk of the arts," said Santa Fe glass artist Julie Conway.

Higher production costs for glass artists means increasingly expensive products, and some artists fear they may eventually be unable to turn a profit.

"There's a point where you can't start marking up a drinking glass to $400," Conway said.