Meet the Artist

Trial and error were and still are my greatest teacher. I started with one Minor bench burner torch and very little in the way of tools and glass. I currently own and operate a studio with 6 work stations and tons of glass. I teach workshops on a regular basis. I love this! I love meeting the most interesting people. I learn a lot from students.

In addition to making glass beads and jewelry I have produced a line of lampworked glass drawer pulls and lamp finials. Because there is a demand from other artists, I designed and now sell MAKE A KNOB KITS and MAKE A FINIAL KITS. Other artists can make these items too with the hardware and instruction these kits provide.

I do not recall having a "big break." I had a lot of neat stepping stones. I and my business have consistently grown. I remember an Open Studio one year when a client wanted to purchase the glass drawer pulls I made for my cupboards! I never dreamed to sell the drawer pulls! I just wanted a little splash of color in my small kitchen. The rest, as they say, is history. My business solely supports me and the very nice life style I enjoy. I sell on line. I sell through my website www.glassthings.com. I sell to galleries and at shows. I have a little gallery here from which I sell my work and the work of my students

I live and work (my studio and home are one) on a little peninsula where a working light house sits amidst a tightly knit community, just south of Boston. I am surrounded by beauty. The sea, the earth, the sky. Melting glass; the rhythm, the hues. I connect to the seasons. I connect to my spirit. It is here I find peace. My work evolves.. I evolve. The universe evolves.

Relaxation...this is a tough one. There is always one more thing to try, or a dozen! I love to walk on the sand at the waters edge. I love to hop on the rocks that lead to the lighthouse. I love to walk around the city. I write each morning. I guess I still have trouble with relaxation. Yoga next. I have tried Pilates and I love this form of stretching.

The kind of artwork I want to be doing ten years from now? The BEST I can push myself to do with whatever medium I happen to be working on at this time. Introducing creativity to others will be a major part of the days ahead. It is my passion to see others experience their AH-HA! moment when they have created something.. It will include melting glass and hammering metals. Manipulating glass and metals and the sea are two on a very short list of things that hold my attention.

EXHIBITING GALLERIES: (partial list)

• Sandwich Glass Museum, Sandwich, MA

• South Shore Art Center, Cohasset, MA

• Pairpoint Glass, Sagamore, MA

• Billie Brenner LTD., Boston Design Center

SHOWS, INVITATIONALS, & MEMBERSHIPS: (partial list)

• Society of Glass Beadmakers, Corning, New York

• Bead Designer International, Boston, MA

• One Woman Show, Norwell Arts, Norwell, MA

• Featured Artist: Duxbury Art Association

South Shore Art Center

Plymouth Art Guild

• Glass Art Society: Seto, Japan

ARTICLES: (partial list)

• April 27, 1997 - Boston Sunday Globe

• November 1997 - Mariner Publications

• Feb. 1, 1998 - Boston Sunday Globe Magazine

• March 1998 - Mariner Publications

• November 1999 - Duxbury Clipper

• December 1999 - The Crafts Report Magazine

• Dec. 8, 1999 - Mariner Publications

• July 11, 2000 - Boston Sunday Globe Magazine

• July 25, 2000 - Patriot Ledger

TEACHING:

• Faculty Member: South Shore Art Center

Hingham Public Schools

Duxbury Art Center

My Studio; Workshops & Private Lessons

CONTACT ME AT:
Marj Bates
28 Rebecca Road
Scituate, MA 02066
(781) 545-8290
Email: marj@glassthings.com

Visit the GlassThings website at www.glassthings.com