Sunday Feature – Buddha Kitty Glass

This weeks feature is with Steena from Buddha Kitty Glass where she specializes in one of kind fused glass art trays, platters, and bowls. These pieces truly are unique and gorgeous! This is my favorite below, just stunning!

Tell us your name and a little about yourself. What led you to start making the things you do, and how long have you been doing this?

My name is Steena and I am the fused glass artist behind Buddha Kitty Glass. My love of glass goes back many years. During a college trip to Europe, I became fascinated with the stained glass in the cathedrals. Upon returning home, I took my first class in glasswork and learned how to make stained glass windows. This served as a wonderful introduction to the world of glass art. From there I began to learn glass bead making and became intrigued by the amazing transformation that takes place in glass once heat is applied. These glass beads became parts of handmade jewelry that I gave to friends and occasionally sold at small craft fairs. A cross-country move and new neighbors served as my introduction to fused glass. My new neighbors commented on a glass bead necklace I had made which turned into a discussion about kiln formed glass. My neighbor’s mother taught fused glass. We talked about my fascination with glass she suggested I try one of her mother’s classes. I signed up for her class and was immediately captivated by kiln formed glass. Shortly after the class, I purchased my first small kiln and began perfecting the art of fused glass in my basement. After several years, I decided to relocate back to the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle area is renowned for its glass art and is a wonderful location to continue to pursue fused glass.

What inspires you most?

I look at glass and see shapes and forms I think it should be. I love to mold and bend glass into colorful pieces of functional art and derive my inspiration from the glass itself. I love to combine colors and shapes and see what comes of it after a firing in my kiln. Experimentation is also a great inspiration to me.

Tell us one of the most memorable things while creating or selling your art/craft.

One of my best memories is recently, while updating my website, my almost two year old daughter walked up to me and saw the pictures of my newest pieces on the screen and said ?Mama Steena made that. That’s pretty!?

Do you have any advice for other artists/crafters?

Make the art you like, not what you think will sell. Your art will find its audience.