How I got started?

I was 21 the first time I ever worked with glass, in March of 2013. I can't explain how excited I was about my first piece (on the right.!) I rented out a studio bench for a couple of weeks to learn some fundamental techniques of borosilicate flameworking. Soon after and with the help of my dad, I built a private studio in my garage where I crafted all of Glass Sails' items for the next year and a half.
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First piece of glass!

                                What got me into glass?

My interest began in 2012 at a festival when I watched a glass artist for the first time. I was fascinated, asked a lot of questions, and got a custom piece made. Woohoo! I quickly fell in love with flameworking. ​​Before ever using a torch, I spent 6 months in the basement of a shop near my house watching a local artist, Jimmi, put his impressive glass skills to work. It's amazing how much you can learn from observing. Now after years of practice and hard work, glass is passion that exceeds all others in my world and I feel privileged to be a creator. I appreciate all of the support I get from my boyfriend, my friends, my family, customers, and inspiring artists. I hope that my art will grow and bring movement, knowledge, and happiness to others.

Who I am.

I try to live a life filled with happiness, meaning, 
hard work, sensitivity, and variety. I travel as often as possible.  I enjoy baking and culinary arts, drawing, floral arts, writing, and reading. I love being in nature, walking through the woods, swimming, and hiking mountains. My musical focus changes but I spend a lot of time singing and going to live local shows. I also play some piano and guitar, and miss singing in a choir. My newest passion is argentine tango dancing! I am always seeking wisdom, and craving new knowledge.  I got my Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island in 2014, but continue to educate myself often. Currently, I live in a cozy Pawtucket home with my boyfriend and am looking forward to good times and new friends to come in the future.

Current Glass Life and Roles.

Currently I am working out of a private studio in Pawtucket, RI. I learn new tricks and techniques each time I blow glass, and find inspiration for new pieces regularly. Running Glass Sails is a lot of hard work. Not only do I create all of the glass myself, but I also wear all of the other hats that run the business! I had no prior experience with any of these roles below, and am self taught! Some of these roles include:

• Selling at shows - Finding, applying, paying for, and transporting to shows. Keeping a display booth that is aesthetic and somehow fits in my little Honda Civic.
• Selling online - On my etsy page I write all the policies and descriptions, list the items, edit the photos, and pack and ship all the orders.
• Selling in stores - I seek out new locations,  preparing a display of relevant sample products, meet with store owners, process orders, and customize store information cards and displays.

• This website- I designed and created this website (after learning how) and am continuing to write and update it often.
• Inventory- Managing my own art inventory is one thing, but keeping track of supplies is a job on its own.
• Pricing- I come out with new items all the time! Each requires research that ensures my pieces will be affordable for all of us!
• Photographing- I dedicate a section of my studio to a photography workshop where I take all of the pictures of glass that you see.
• Planning- Sketching out new designs, creating show-specific items, learning new techniques, and stocking up for events that I sell at up to a year in advance!
• Accounting- Learning about filing taxes, managing finances, and legal business responsibilities stresses me out! But I do it anyway!
• Social Media- So many emails, so many unposted facebook updates, and a neglected instagram. Where does the time go?
• Stencil design, Cutting, and Sandblasting- My newest glass adventure
• Keeping myself sane: owning, managing, marketing, promoting, selling, advertising, designing, stocking, creating, repairing, updating, reading, learning, studying, displaying, expanding, etc etc etc. I do find time for other things in life that I enjoy and at the end of the day I feel lucky. :)