Melissa Sweetser, owner
Glass is beautiful and dynamic…
It changes with light and with perspective. It can be subtle or pronounced. Exquisite or understated. It has always been a beautiful mystery to me. After spending virtually every day for over the past decade working with and learning about the versatile qualities of glass as an artistic medium, I am delighted to report that the magic is indeed real, and my passion for it stronger than ever. I encourage everyone to discover the wonder of glass.
As for Me…
I am lucky enough to have my studio in my home in the foothills of Colorado, surrounded by quiet charm, yet close enough to the essentials. A benefit for which I am grateful. Jumping into glass art from a software engineering background, I found it hard to let go of definitions and rules and restrictions. It has taken many years and I need to remind myself regularly. However, it’s fun and exciting to see what happens when you do. I enjoy teaching and holding workshops, but more than anything, I appreciate being in my studio, experimenting, learning, and creating cool and beautiful new things.
The Technique…
I will often create elements, or components, in the kiln – shapes, ‘lace’, dots, ‘puddles’, etc. – and then utilize them together to form the final design. An individual finished item frequently requires 4 or more firings in total. I take a picture of the kiln shelf so that I have visual record of how I constructed something; ergo, I can recreate a desirable outcome, or conversely, not repeat that mistake. But even with this additional knowledge and experience, opening the kiln remains unpredictable. Every piece is 100% unique and the result, hopefully, decidedly good, but sometimes, just a lesson.