Last week I sat down for a virtual conversation with Ann Tudor, glass artist & jewelry designer. Without further ado, let’s jump right in:
- little acorn:
- What led you to glass making?
- ann:
I worked in the dental profession for 30 years. My first job was as a dental assistant for an orthodontic practice. Working with my hands had always come easy to me, so I soon became the lab technician bending wire for all the retainers and appliances. When wire jewelry became popular, I decided to try my hand at it and got hooked. From wire jewelry it evolved to semi precious gemstone and sterling silver and then to lampwork glass beads. When I first was interested in the glass beads, they were quite expensive so I decided to learn how to make my own. In 2004, I took a 2 hour “learn to make a glass bead” class at my local stained glass shop. From there I practiced, alot, and eventually started selling my beads to other jewelers. Bead making became a bit boring so I decided to try my hand at some sculptural glass making. I created glass fish ‘swimming’ in copper kelp and lampwork hummingbirds hovering over glass flowers. For the last three years, I have done local art shows. Then a change happened! Someone asked me if I could make some stitch markers out of my glass jewelry charms. In a very short time, those markers have changed my entire business.
- little acorn:
- They are adorable! Shadow loves that he has a set that looks just like him!
What do you like to do away from your studio? - ann:
- When I am not melting glass in a flame, I am spending time with my family. I love hanging out with our daughter and her boyfriend who are both in graduate school and with our son who is in college nearby. Our son plays soccer for his school so we spend lots of time watching him play. Whether it is a casual evening with the family, watching a soccer game or at the movies, you will almost always find a knitting project in my purse! I recently started a knitting group at the local art center where I have some of my glass pieces and jewelry for sale.
- little acorn:
- You are always busy! I love watching your knitting projects grow on Instagram.
You always seem to have some project close at hand, what drives you to create? - ann:
- Making and creating is something that I have to do. It is part of my DNA. Cross stitch, paper making, knitting, scrapbooking, card making, polymer clay, are some of the things I have done! Now, I melt glass full time, knit as much as I can, and make jewelry every once in awhile. I absolutely love that stitch & progress markers have taken over because not only do I get to make a wide variety of glass items and push my skills, I am involved with a fabulous community of knitters and crocheters. I am inspired to knit even more being surrounded by all the yarny goodness!
- little acorn:
- A vibrant community definitely helps fuel skills and fosters creativity. Ok, I ask everyone, kitten or puppy snuggles?
- ann:
- I am a huge puppy person! We have three dogs with three very distinct personalities. Daisy is a miniature dachshund and is my husband’s dog. Bentley is a miniature pomeranian and self appointed bodyguard of “the mom”. He likes to be in eyesight of me while I am in the house. Then there is Ducati, a boxer mix. He is our all around family dog and stays with me in my studio while I am working.
- little acorn:
- Yay for puppy snuggles! I have a soft spot for pomeranians and understand their devotion to their human mum, Bo adopted my mother five years ago. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me. I hope someday soon we can do it in person!
What do you like to do away from your studio?
You can find Ann at www.anntudor.com
She can also be found at:
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