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.

This week, I chat with Jasmine Steinacker, a talented glass artist based in Asheville, North Carolina. ✨🔥

Jasmine originally pursued a degree in photography, but a chance encounter with a glass class led her to double major in both photography and glass—knowing from that moment she wanted to make glass her career. She graduated during the height of COVID and shares what it felt like to miss out on celebrating that milestone the way she deserved.

We dive into:
• Her path from photography to becoming a full-time glass artist
• How she uses her photography skills to elevate and support her glasswork
• Sharing her art through funny, relatable videos on social media
• The various ways she earns income as an independent artist
• Her experience living in Asheville during recent devastation, and how the community is doing now
• The importance of self-care—Jasmine talks about her love for exercise, eating well, and meditation

You can find her on Instagram at @steinackerart.

🎧 Listen now via the link in bio
📲 Follow, comment & review on your favorite podcast platform
📸 Stay connected @shapingstoriespod on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube

Questions or kind words? Reach out anytime: dom@terrapinglass.com
Thanks for tuning in! 🙏

This week, I chat with Emily Henry, the creative force behind Funky Glassworks.

Originally from Kansas City, Emily now lives in Mountain Home, Arkansas. ✨🔥

With a background in psychology, Emily first discovered glass in 2018 through a stained glass class she took just for herself.

Today, she's a full-time glass artist, small business owner, and homesteader—sharing life with her husband and two boys while caring for animals and lots of plants.

In this episode, we dive into:

🔹 Emily’s journey from hobbyist to full-time artist and entrepreneur

🔹 How she generates income—including a few viral social media moments

🔹 Staying inspired in her own work while balancing teaching

🔹 Navigating her online presence by separating her personal art from her local business

You can find her work under Funky Glassworks on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

To follow her personal glass journey, check out @glasswithem

📲 Don’t forget to follow, comment & review on your favorite podcast platform

📸 Stay connected @shapingstoriespod on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube

Got questions or kind words? Reach out anytime: dom@terrapinglass.com

Thanks for tuning in! 🙏

This week, I chat with Kristina Logan, an internationally renowned glass artist based in Portsmouth, NH, best known for her stunning flameworked beads, jewelry, and intricate objects. ✨

🔥Beyond the torch, Kristina has recently embraced a new creative passion: naturally tanning animal hides. In our conversation, she shares her inspiring journey—from discovering glass after college while working in a café, to working for Dan Dailey starting in 1997, and eventually forging her own path as an independent artist.

We dive into:

🌟 Her transition from collaborative studio work to solo practice

👩‍👧 Balancing independent artistry with motherhood

🏡 Slowly building toward her dream home studio

💬 The joy of connecting with people who genuinely appreciate her workYou can follow her creative life in real time on Instagram, and catch behind-the-scenes insights and legacy-sharing on her YouTube channel.

📲 Follow, comment & review on your favorite podcast platform

📸 Stay connected @shapingstoriespod on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube

Questions or kind words? Reach out anytime: dom@terrapinglass.comThanks for tuning in! 🙏

In this episode I chat with Erin Morris of Imperial Moth Glass — a New Hampshire-based glass artist with a doctorate in entomology and a deep appreciation for both bugs and hot glass. 🐞🔥

Originally from Ohio, Erin now lives in New England, where she draws inspiration from her local town forest, enjoys shooting pool, and is learning how to sew. Her journey into making glass began when she was in grad school and stumbled across a class on glass spiders — and the rest, as they say, is history.

In this episode, we dive into:

🧠 What it’s like to hold a PhD in entomology while working full-time as a glass artist

❤️ The “two-body problem” that many academic couples face💼 How Erin juggles multiple self-employed income streams to sustain her art

Whether you're a glass lover, or creative soul navigating your own career path, Erin’s story is full of insight and inspiration.

Support Erin’s work:

→ Website: www.imperialmothglass.com

→ Etsy: Imperial Moth Glass

→ Instagram: @imperial_moth_glass

📲 Follow, comment & review on your favorite podcast platform

📸 Stay connected @shapingstoriespod on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube

Questions or kind words? Drop a line: dom@terrapinglass.com

Thanks for tuning in! 🙏

Fishing, Getting Sued & Making Glass

Welcome to the third interview episode of Shaping Stories: A Glass Artists Podcast!

In this episode, I chat with my new friend Alan Jess, a glass artist based in Wheaton, Illinois. Alan somehow balances a full-time day job, walking a small dog, fishing, and riding motorcycles with his awesome wife—all while constantly daydreaming of glass.

Alan’s journey into glass began in a rather unexpected way: by getting sued. Now, with over 20 years of experience in both flameworking and casting, he works out of a studio in his own backyard. He's truly living the dream— selling glass and spending it on new equipment to keep feeding the beast.

If you enjoy the episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite platform.🔗 Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @shapingstoriespod📧 Have a question or suggestion? Email me at dom@terrapinglass.comThanks for listening!