Well at Home: The Art of Glass Blowing and Proving your Sibling Wrong

If there's one thing I love, is cool glassware. Much like ceramics, I tend to collect them as I discover them. The end goal? To have a curated estate sale when I am older, and hopefully hear the magic words: "this person had taste."

My personal ambition aside, I stumbled across Lauren's glassware while visiting a coffee shop in St. Augustine, FL. I was immediately drawn to the design: a generously sized cup featuring an organic look and a chunky foot holding this piece together.  "This is definitely handmade" was my initial thought.

So, I reached out to her and asked if she would be interested in making a batch for Well Rounded. She excitedly agreed but cautioned me it would take some time. Each piece is handmade, and each is one solid piece. No assembly required. 

When I received the shipment, each piece was better than what I had imagined. Each being different from one another - different ridges, heights, sizes, some even with a light blue hue - a true testament to our love of imperfection. I imagine the same technique is applied across the board, but each time it yields a slightly different result.

Success, this is exactly what I wanted.

As a curious person, I wanted to learn more. So I asked Lauren all about this craft and what got her started. So let's dive right in: 

How did you get into glass blowing?

As a kid, I saw glassblowing in downtown Chicago and was completely entranced  (I still am to this day). I told my brother "I'm gonna do that when I grow up", and in a perfect little brother response he said "No you're not". And that desire to prove him wrong came lived in the back of my mind until it came to fruition when the college I was going to attend had a glass studio on campus. My parents, incredibly, let me switch from being a social work major to being an art student.

What was the first piece you created? and What inspired you to create it?

The first thing I remember making that stands out was an enlarged recreation of three buckeyes. There was a buckeye tree on campus and I collected several hundred of them and kept finding different ways to use them in art projects. So it was only natural that I did a study in glass. They were so beautiful, and it felt a bit like being an ant and coming upon a glorious giant food source.

Where did you draw inspiration from in creating your signature glassware as well as the fish trays? (which are almost sold out btw!)

The cups started as an idea that I had for a student who wanted a foot on their cup. But we were tight on time, so I made it in one solid piece and fell in love with the challenge of the design and execution immediately. I genuinely enjoy the tactile experience of how they feel in my hand and use them at home every day. The fish dishes are a very different process. I've never worked with casting, so it's an entirely new approach and skill set to hone.

Are you dipping in your toes in creating other items? (bowls, vases, etc.)

I have one bowl design that I really love, but I would need to pay an assistant to help me make it. It's on the horizon though. I have always preferred to make functional objects.

How do you keep yourself inspired? Is there a constant feed of inspiration you navigate towards to or use to keep engaged?

I think I make life a little more difficult for myself than maybe I need to. And as necessity is the mother of invention, I often work myself into a corner where I need to be creative. I don't think it's on purpose! But all of my favorite designs have come from problems that I made for myself that I needed to fix.

How long have you been doing this for?

I started blowing glass 18 years ago. I did it full time for 10 years and then had my daughter at the same time my boss was downsizing his studio. The last 8 years, I have been assisting other artists here and there.  But in the last two years I've started teaching classes and producing again.

Aside from glass blowing, are there any other creative endeavors you do that bring you joy?

My full time job is actually as a gigging musician in St Augustine FL. I play electric bass guitar, ukulele and sing. It's an inspiring and cathartic job. And my favorite hobby is definitely rock climbing. But the most creative I get is as a mother. It's an incredible all investing artistic endeavor.

At home, what is your favorite thing to do and what about it makes it your favorite? (sipping that first cup of coffee, playing with your kids, nighttime routine, etc.)

I love love love reading to my daughter. We are reading The Hobbit right now and we read all 7 Harry Potter before that. We just got into Legos together too. And when it's just me, I catch the sunrise as often as possible. It fills my cup. And we all know how important a full cup is.

I wholeheartedly agree. 

We invite you to check out Lauren's work shown through @hotglassfl as well as her website, www.hotglassfl.com. She is currently accepting students to learn about glassblowing. 

We currently carry her glassware in our shop. Available online and in person.