Katie grew up in rural Ohio and now calls western North Carolina home. She first discovered glass while studying art and illustration in Columbus, Ohio — but it wasn’t originally part of her program. Determined to follow her curiosity, she snuck into a glass class and never looked back.

Today, Katie works full time in soft glass production and uses her off-hours to develop her own Borosilicate designs. In this episode, she shares her story of stubbornly carving out a path in glass, staying true to what she loves in the material, and creating safer, more inclusive spaces for future artists in the industry.

Such a great conversation with lots of heart, reflection, and wisdom. 💛

Raven has been blowing glass since the year 2000, and for the past 25 years, he’s been deep in the flame, exploring borosilicate glass.

Now based in Pittsburg, Kansas, he’s best known for his large-scale marbles.

In this episode, Raven shares his journey into glass, how he got started, and the path that eventually led him to carving out his niche vending in Renaissance fairs across the country.

We also talk about life outside the torch—spending time with family and shooting pool—and how those moments fuel his creative fire.

Tune in for an honest and inspiring conversation. 🔥

In this episode, I talk with Detroit-based glass artist Marc VandenBerg, whose journey with glass began humbly—with a couple of library books and a torch.

Starting out with borosilicate and focusing on pipe-making, Marc’s path shifted dramatically when he landed a job working with soft glass from a furnace. That experience forever changed his creative trajectory.

Marc shares stories from his time working in a variety of studios over the years, including the impact of collaborative hot shop environments and how those experiences shaped his evolving style.

Today, he works primarily with COE 96, combining furnace and flame working techniques to create a distinctive body of work that reflects both technical skill and artistic vision.

As his story comes full circle, Marc has returned to mostly working solo—bringing a lifetime of lessons and influences into each unique piece.

You can explore Marc’s work at vandenbest.com, on Facebook, and on Instagram at @marco2150.