I only recently discovered that I have ADD, which explains soooooo much. While it certainly comes with its challenges, many of us also see it as something of a superpower. For me, it means I crave new experiences, new challenges, and—perhaps most of all—the opportunity to constantly learn something new.

While glass will always be my one true love, that need to explore eventually led me to DIYcave, conveniently located just over a mile from my home. I originally went there to learn welding, imagining all the ways I could incorporate metal into my glasswork—from mixed-media pieces and display stands to garden stakes and weatherproof substrates.

What I didn’t expect was how much I would love working with metal itself: the feel of it, the smell, the sparks—and yes, even the SOOT!

Metal has become a natural partner for glass in my work. I use it both decoratively and functionally, combining the strength and industrial character of metal with the color, light, and fragility of glass. To me, it’s a match made in heaven.