The story of my passion for hot glass starts with a teacher that I had along the way. My college professor, Lyle Perkins, taught me many life lessons while teaching glass blowing. The strongest memory I have was that of making a glass vase with a neck that got out of control. I was all set to scrap the piece and he stood by me and told me to "Keep it going". He wouldn't let me give up.

The piece ended up being a 2 headed blue vase with a green neck and was hailed by a lot of people as my best work. In other words a " Happy Accident". Hot glass has a life and energy all its own. It is one of the few media where you can have a happy accident. That teacher's voice is still in my head years later when I work on beads, convincing me to keep working even when the piece I am working gets out of control. Let it happen.

In addition to teaching us how to work on hot glass, he gave of himself. He put his own money into the class so the school wouldn't shut the glass class down at a time of high cost fuel. His work ethic and values affected so many people that were lucky enough to have him as a teacher.

So with this kind of inspiration, I go forward, remembering the gift of happy accidents and giving to others with our craft. My goal is to introduce and promote glass into more of the public consciousness.

Keep it going!!

Barbara