Maxine was always crafty and artistic, focusing on jewelry and art classes throughout high school. She began her professional endeavors making ceramic jewelry on the kitchen table in her last house in Albuquerque NM. The pieces were fired in a small hexagonal kiln in the garage. Humming Line Creative Works was formed in 1983 when sales started at local craft shows and Maxine got her first studio. Maxine would be in charge of production. Her husband, Tom, would provide logistical/production support, marketing and accounting. Soon, cups, mugs and potpourri simmer pots were added to the mix. That meant more tables at shows and more staff in the form of our two sons. We were also making our own molds for original jewelry pieces and Christmas ornaments. The ‘80s ended with the introduction of Friendly Plastic to the jewelry line and the move to Colorado Springs.
More space at the new Colorado house meant more room for a larger kiln. Violet pots became a popular ceramic item. Maxine also continued to develop her design skills by making very unique, intricate Friendly Plastic jewelry. Maxine had adventures in the craft industry becoming a certified demonstrator, working in manufacturer booths at trade shows. She also had several jewelry designs using Friendly Plastic and polymer clay published in craft magazines. As it turned out, Maxine’s skills and designs were more than what most craft editors wanted to give their readers. The ‘90s ended with the introduction of glass to Maxine’s list of mediums and the realization that the craft industry was not Maxine’s final creative destination.
Starting with a Hot Head torch purchased though a craft catalog, Maxine made her first lampwork beads crouched at a small workbench in the outside garage. All that playing with melted plastic in her teens started finding its real purpose. That torch was quickly out grown, as was the workspace. Classes and more classes brought rounds of leaps in technique and creativity. Other classes brought fusing, slumping, stained and mosaic glass into the repertory. The old reliable barrel kiln that once finished her ceramic pieces was replaced with a more appropriate coffin kiln, as they are called, designed for glass. A new workspace would be created to house it all. All she learned in high school and craft industry years has come together in her styles embodied in the different mediums she works in.
Conveniently, a space added to the house in our first round of remodeling back near the turn of the century has lots of window space, perfect for an art glass show room. It also has its own outside entrance just off the driveway. After some rearranging, our 2011 Studio Open House was held for the first time in the newly created Art Glass Show Room.
Get a sample of her range at www.hummingline.com. Give us a call at 719-258-9848 to set up an appointment to visit the showroom.
If you’ve got a spot in your house that might need some glass, or want a custom piece of jewelry, call Maxine to set up a private design consultation.