You can visit her shop here:
How many years have you worked with glass?
I have been working with glass since 1985 when I took my first stained glass class. I completed four or five projects a year and have two large stained glass windows in my home from that period. In 2005 I took a fused glass class and became so enthralled I cut my hours at work so I could spend a whole day each week doing glass. Then in Fall 2009, when my job was eliminated, I decided it was time to jump into glass as my full-time job.
What triggers ideas for new projects?
Almost all of my work now is inspired by nature, so I come up with new designs based on walks outdoors, looking through field guides, and getting suggestions from friends
When do ideas come to you? How often?
It seems totally random when ideas come to me, and is usually when I am not trying to think of something. I keep a little notebook with me in my purse so I can jot down ideas whenever they come to me or else I am sure to forget about them! I’d say I get one or two good new ideas a week.
What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
Some days it is almost 100%, but it is never less that 50%. Recently, a local store finally took my glass on consignment after many months of back-and-forth communications. The surprise to me was that they wanted all of my inventory. I had to work round-the-clock to have enough for a show 2 weeks later. Usually my kiln is not running every single day.
Do you create daily?
Some weeks yes, others no - but right now this is my full-time job so I am always working on the business one way or the other. When I am not creating, I am working on my web site, thinking about marketing, etc.
How important is it for you to create art?
It is an integral part of me that has always been a part of my life since I was a little girl. My mother is an artist so I was brought up encouraged to express myself artistically through all kinds of different mediums. I can’t not create art - it is like breathing.
Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
Four months ago I made the decision to try and make a go of Mill Creek Glass as a viable business and I’m still waiting to see if my gamble is going to pay off. I’ve had a fulfilling career and was ready for the change so it is different than someone who is spending their whole career as an artist. I’d say right now it is not a sacrifice, it is a joy.
Describe your studio:
Ooooooh, I love my studio!! It is in the bottom room of my house that has a big sliding glass door looking out on my garden. My kiln is in one corner, with my glass cutting and grinding station next to that. I have two 4 x 8 foot tables in the middle of the room to work on. On another wall are long shelves with all of my frit, stringers, etc. as well as reference books. My glass is stored in a cart that my husband made for me with areas for large sheets, quarter sheets and then bins for little pieces. I hate throwing anything away. I have dragonfly ornaments hanging from the ceiling and on the walls because I love dragonflies, as well as lots of other artwork by me and others. And then I have a radio and a place to plug in my iPod so I can have music while I work! It is my little piece of heaven!
Tell me something about you:
I have a Master’s degree in Zoology and worked for 25 years in Natural History museums in Education and Administration. I was always looking for ways to use my creativity in my job and found it in doing exhibits, planning crafts for classes, creating costumes and designing graphics. I hope to continue nature education through my glass work and am planning on creating interpretive information to accompany each of my pieces that tells a little bit about the animal or plant in the design.
I have been working with glass since 1985 when I took my first stained glass class. I completed four or five projects a year and have two large stained glass windows in my home from that period. In 2005 I took a fused glass class and became so enthralled I cut my hours at work so I could spend a whole day each week doing glass. Then in Fall 2009, when my job was eliminated, I decided it was time to jump into glass as my full-time job.
What triggers ideas for new projects?
Almost all of my work now is inspired by nature, so I come up with new designs based on walks outdoors, looking through field guides, and getting suggestions from friends
When do ideas come to you? How often?
It seems totally random when ideas come to me, and is usually when I am not trying to think of something. I keep a little notebook with me in my purse so I can jot down ideas whenever they come to me or else I am sure to forget about them! I’d say I get one or two good new ideas a week.
What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
Some days it is almost 100%, but it is never less that 50%. Recently, a local store finally took my glass on consignment after many months of back-and-forth communications. The surprise to me was that they wanted all of my inventory. I had to work round-the-clock to have enough for a show 2 weeks later. Usually my kiln is not running every single day.
Do you create daily?
Some weeks yes, others no - but right now this is my full-time job so I am always working on the business one way or the other. When I am not creating, I am working on my web site, thinking about marketing, etc.
How important is it for you to create art?
It is an integral part of me that has always been a part of my life since I was a little girl. My mother is an artist so I was brought up encouraged to express myself artistically through all kinds of different mediums. I can’t not create art - it is like breathing.
Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
Four months ago I made the decision to try and make a go of Mill Creek Glass as a viable business and I’m still waiting to see if my gamble is going to pay off. I’ve had a fulfilling career and was ready for the change so it is different than someone who is spending their whole career as an artist. I’d say right now it is not a sacrifice, it is a joy.
Describe your studio:
Ooooooh, I love my studio!! It is in the bottom room of my house that has a big sliding glass door looking out on my garden. My kiln is in one corner, with my glass cutting and grinding station next to that. I have two 4 x 8 foot tables in the middle of the room to work on. On another wall are long shelves with all of my frit, stringers, etc. as well as reference books. My glass is stored in a cart that my husband made for me with areas for large sheets, quarter sheets and then bins for little pieces. I hate throwing anything away. I have dragonfly ornaments hanging from the ceiling and on the walls because I love dragonflies, as well as lots of other artwork by me and others. And then I have a radio and a place to plug in my iPod so I can have music while I work! It is my little piece of heaven!
Tell me something about you:
I have a Master’s degree in Zoology and worked for 25 years in Natural History museums in Education and Administration. I was always looking for ways to use my creativity in my job and found it in doing exhibits, planning crafts for classes, creating costumes and designing graphics. I hope to continue nature education through my glass work and am planning on creating interpretive information to accompany each of my pieces that tells a little bit about the animal or plant in the design.
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