My Story
A Little History
As a little girl in early 1991, my grandmother took me to the theater to see the movie, The NeverEnding Story II, and my mind filled with wonder at the site of Silver City. The way the light sparkled on the surface of the iridescent glass…dazzling and daydream-inducing spectacles that danced through my imagination. All my heart wanted was to play with that magical glass and cast rainbow lights in my world!
That desire remained with me throughout my growing years. Regrettably, my opportunity wouldn’t arrive until April 2019 when an ad for the local arts guild happened across my Facebook feed with a picture of a stained glass hummingbird…my grandmother’s favorite bird! Without hesitation I dialed the number listed, signed up for the class, and spoke with Adrianna, the woman who would become integral to the creation of my very own stained glass studio.
The hummingbird class taught me the basics, my mind like a sponge soaking up Adrianna’s every word and instruction. Each new skill felt as if I’d performed it a thousand times, my need to learn more only growing stronger. By the end of class I’d asked Adrianna so many questions with only a million or so more biting at my tongue, that she graciously allowed our conversations to flow into a steady stream of texting afterward. Our friendship grew quickly from there until that June at the grand-opening day of her new studio in our tiny town, when I nervously and with bated breath asked if I could apprentice under her guidance. Without hesitation she said YES, and with that single word my childhood dream came true!
My apprenticeship with Adrianna lasted from June 2019 until March 2020, when the world shut down with the Covid pandemic. Like so many other small businesses impacted by the quarantine, Stained Glass by Adrianna closed its doors for good. Fortunately, through my time as her apprentice, I began practicing my craft at home as well and had built up enough supplies to sustain my new hobby until spring 2024 when Adrianna handed me the proverbial keys to her entire studio.
Silver City Glass : My Studio
When my grandmother passed away in January 2023, my most deeply-rooted heartstring snapped and I found myself grasping for the frayed ends of the tether between us. My heart knew she was still with me, but the connection we shared was broken, silent and cold. Through a thick haze of loss and pain, I longed to feel her again, needing the blinding light of her love to chase away the shadows darkening my days.
After her cremation, I struggled with the offer to keep a portion of her ashes for myself. She had always lamented over the idea of being kept inside an urn on someone’s shelf, collecting dust for eternity, but what else could I do? The question haunted me for days, compounding my grief as I looked for an answer.
Less than a week later, I happened across a video by a fellow glass artist in which she created a fused glass stone pendant with the ashes of a loved one encased within. My world ignited with renewed purpose, the blazing heat of the inferno decimating my despair as flames of inspiration danced along the new path I saw before me.
The first pendant I created was Mawmaw’s. As I held it for the first time, finally feeling the strength of her hand in mine again, only one thought remained: “From these ashes I will rise anew.” Here she was, covered in flashes of rainbow against a violet sky, held tightly by her favored sterling silver, and adorned with a rose. In that moment, Silver City Glass was born, specializing in the use of cremation ashes to create fused glass memorial art and jewelry. Soon Mawmaw would again walk the Earth on the chest another granddaughter, Tori, experiencing her life alongside her and lending her strength and comfort.
My hope is to bring that sense of connection back to others in the midst of their grief, and to hear their stories in the process. After all, “We are all part of a never-ending story.” (The NeverEnding Story II : The Next Chapter, 1990).
The Here & Now
As for the daily grind: traditional stained glass work keeps my skills sharp, memorial work using my kiln is my focus & direction, and stained glass education through the Butler County Arts Guild is how I stay connected to the community that continues to support my endeavors. With a little luck, perhaps my classes will stoke the flames of inspiration for others.
On a far more personal note, the love, motivation, and enthusiasm of my husband Chad, and our four incredible children, Hannah, Dean, Wyatt, and Melody have been a driving force behind the creation of my studio and business. From long nights in the studio away from them to random jaunts to the supply stores and everything in between, they’ve stood beside me every step of the way, watching every new development or artwork with excitement. This journey of mine wouldn’t have been possible without them.