Glass House Jewelry ... New York, USA

Artist: Hope Marxe
Business: Glass House Jewelry
Web site: glasshousejewelry.etsy.com and my blog glasshousejewelry.blogspot.com
Location: Sag Harbor, New York

What do you create?
Fused glass and fine silver PMC [precious metal clay] jewelry.

Where and when do you do your creative work?
At my home studio. I do most of my work either when my daughter is at preschool, napping, or at night.





Do you have another "day job"?
I am a full-time mom and artist. In a former life, I worked on Wall Street trading equities.

Where and what did you study?
I went college for economics. More recently, I studied glass making and silver jewelry design privately with an independent designer for Tiffany's in NYC.

What inspires you and what motivates you?
My internal motivation to constantly push myself and the limits of my art. It is important to me to always keep things fresh and unique. There are many glass artists out there and it is very important to me to stand out with original and unique designs.





When did you start doing this?
About five to six years ago.

Do you remember getting into art as a kid?
I grew up doing arts and crafts. My mom is an artist and we were always doing some project or another. I also took many fine arts classes such as painting and sculpting.

When and why did you decide to start your own business?
I have always wanted to do something like this. It just took my learning glasswork to realize that was the right direction for me.





How did you choose the name for your business?
Actually, my husband came up with it as our house is starting to look like a "house of glass"! Also the technical definition for glass house is: "The factory in which glass itself is produced, generally organized as workshops around furnaces."

What do you love most about creating your work?
There are no real mistakes in glass. Like working with oil paints, each “mistake” can merely be a new direction. Ask any glass artist, fusing is completely addictive! I constantly find myself waiting anxiously by the kiln for things to cool so that I can see how they turned out!

What's the most fascinating place you've been?
Hmmm...that's tough. I would have to say China.





A book you love:
I love to read. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress [Dai Sijie] is among my many favorites.

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I can be very creative/artistic at some times and then more mathematical/analytical at others. I love trying new things, experimenting with my art, and seeing new places.

What advice would you give women starting their own business?
It is a wonderfully rewarding experience. But if you wish to be successful, you will have to put in a tremendous amount of work...more than you originally thought.





What's the biggest challenge you face in your work?
Balancing motherhood with my work.

What do you love to do in your free time?
Create new things...it is my therapy!

What are you working on right now?
I am experimenting (I love to experiment!!) with some new techniques and materials. Some of my best work was "discovered" by accident.

What do you hope to achieve next?
I would like to make larger glass pieces and learn how to silversmith.