Maker Spotlight: Flux Glass Co.

Truly excited to welcome Jessica Wisniewski of Flux Glass Co. to the Maker Spotlight today! Jessica is the maker behind one of the most popular products in the shop, the stained glass feathers! And she is beginning to branch out into arrows + trees among a few other surprises she has up her sleeve! I almost fell out of my chair when Jessica first sent me some photos, asking to be a vendor in the shop, because they are SO BEAUTIFUL! And each one is completely one of a kind, I know they are on many Christmas Wish Lists this year (and if they weren't on yours already, just scroll down for more photos if you need some convincing!). Behind this beautiful work however, is a beautiful soul. Jessica is kind, funny + so creative. I'm so happy to have gotten to know her (I still need to come visit your tiny house, Jess, so I can live vicariously through you :) + I'm thrilled that you all get a peak into this incredible mind through the power of the internet.

Jessica has also been a great addition to the H+F family as one of the vendors that commonly comes to help out at festivals + events so you'll be likely to meet her one of these days. Her stained glass demo during Starry Night was incredible, such a fascinating art! So, without further ado, I give you Jessica Wisniewski...

1. When did you first learn about your trade?

I have always had a fascination with glass, whether it be blown glass, stained glass, or my grandmother’s green glass collection. About 10 years ago my family got me some stained glass lessons + fell in love with the craft immediately.

2. What do you love about Orillia?

I think Orillia is the perfect town. So much so that after frequenting the area for over a decade, I decided to call it home. It’s big enough to have everything you need, but not so big that it’s lost that small town feel. It’s far enough north that it’s away from the hustle of the city, but still close enough to go back to visit my family, or take in a concert, anytime. But ultimately it’s the lakes, amazing scenery + great arts community that landed me here.

3. Why is it important to you to buy, support + shop locally?

I want to support this amazing community we live in. I came here to escape the big box stores of the burbs.

4. When has a moment of 'failure' led to an opportunity for you?

The great life I am living right now was completely born out of failure. A year ago I was in a job + a relationship that turned out to be not at all what I had hoped. I started my stained glass business, moved into a tiny house on the lake + landed a great new day job. With a little luck + hard work, when I made the decision that my life needed to change, everything just seemed to fall into place.

5. What is your day job? How do you juggle a day job + pursue your creative business?

I’m a landscape designer. The seasonal nature of landscape design makes it a perfect complement to running a creative business. I have lots of time in the off season to work on stained glass. I also work from home + make my own hours with both jobs. Sometimes that means I work 7 days a week 12 hours a day, but it also lets me enjoy plenty of freedom.

6. Are you hoping to make your side project a full time job?

I’m looking forward to growing my glass business, but I think I will still always do some landscape design.

7. How did you get to where you are? What has your journey been like?

It’s been a bit of a whirl wind. After enjoying stained glass as a hobby since my lessons, I made my first stained glass feather almost exactly one year ago. I had a good response + things have taken off from there.

8. What has been your biggest challenge so far?

Balance. Working 2 jobs + still keeping time to enjoy my amazing surroundings without feeling like there is always something I should be doing is something I am still getting the hang of.

9. What are 3 things on your bucket list?

1. Design + build an off the grid home.

2. Learn to fly an airplane.

3. Go to Alaska (to my off the grid home, in my airplane, perhaps).

10. Where or how would you recommend someone interested in your trade start?

I think lessons are important. Stained glass is a multi step process with lots of specific tools and materials so it’s a lot to try + figure out on your own.

11. What resources did or do you find helpful?

Other stained glass artists. My instructor was great, the gentleman who runs the glass supply shop I use is incredibly helpful, and I’ve recently enjoyed connecting with some other ladies making modern stained glass, online + through Harold and Ferne.

12. What are 3 things you wish people knew about you?

1. I live, do landscape design, and create my stained glass, all in a 300 sq. ft. house.

2. In nature is my favorite place to be.

3. I love ice cream.

13. What are 3 things you wish people knew about your products?

1. After making hundreds of feathers, I still love making every single one.

2. Each piece goes through over 10 steps to take it from a sheet of glass to a finished product.

3. I like to keep my designs simple, because I think it’s the beauty of the glass itself that’s the real art.

Thank you Jessica! Always a pleasure! Check out Flux Glass Co. on Instagram + Facebook, it's a feast for the eyes!

#Artist #Artisan #SupportLocal #Series #StainedGlass