I was a painter of water colors and pastels for many years. Then I got involved with doing bead work. In my quest to make better bead jewelry I stumbled upon soldering and forging silver. From there I took the fateful class that taught me how to do a bezel set cabochon. The cabochon was dichroic glass. I had never before seen dichroic glass and I was immediately captivated. I had to know where it came from, how to make it myself.

Thus began my journey into glass fusing. To this day I am filled with a wonder about the process of creating glass baubles and functional items. It is not by chance that I use the term "Alchemy" in my shops subtitle. For centuries glass artists were thought of as wizards who used complex and secret formulas to produce their glass creations. Luckily, today, artists are more willing to share the secrets of glass fusing.

I took several beginning classes before I bought my first kiln. I set that kiln up in my garage and let it sit there for about 4 months before I had the courage to plug it in. I was afraid I would burn down the house. Well, that was then. I now have 4 working kilns, one in repair and one just waiting for me to take up ceramics (which is calling to me). Over time I have acquired a few grinders, a lap wheel, and a pretty nice sand blaster. Not to mention tons of tools and supplies!

I spent the first 3 or 4 years taking classes in Washingtion State, Las Vegas, NV, Gardena, CA, Orange CA ....anywhere I could learn more. Oh course, this whole time I was fusing glass, and buying tools, and more kilns and more tools and supplies. We glass fusers seem to love tools! My home began to overflow with fused glass. My friends' homes began to overflow. My families' homes began to overflow with fused glass.

The only solution was to find new homes for my creations or stop fusing glass. Perish the thought! I bought a trailer and filled it up with my glass creations and a knockdown store, and tables and chairs and a chart of California tax rates. With a song in my heart I began to take my creations to art fairs around southern California ... Del Mar, San Diego, Malibu, Oxnard, Ventura, Ojai. I really enjoyed the compliments I got from the clientele and the money was fun, too. Unfortunately a family member became ill, and during that long year and 1/2 illness I was unable to schedule fairs.

Since I could not do the art fairs, I decided to try my hand at selling my wares on Etsy. On March 22, 2011 I opened my Etsy Shop. My shop has been a work in progress. This is an entirely different way of doing business. I really enjoy that I am able to share my creations throughout the entire world! I am also thrilled to have made so many friends in the Etsy community who help me navigate this new way of doing business.

I teach beginning glass fusing classes in my studio. It is a real joy to see a student's eyes light up when they behold their glass creations.

I also love to do custom orders. A special plate to match a bridal cake, coasters to match your living room, jewelry to set off your special outfit. I am always a phone call away at 951-237-6308