Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheila Noseworthy.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always been a creative mess maker. I took a brief introductory stained glass course 15 years ago. The process intrigued me. I dabbled in glass and mosaics as a hobby, but it took me years to prioritize art as an essential part of my balance. Over the past few years, I have become obsessed with it. It can be challenging to carve out the time because glass is something that is difficult to work on in small segments. I get immersed in the process and tend to become completely absorbed in the project until it’s complete. In all other aspects of my life, I can be very impatient, but glass forces me to slow down, fine-tune delicate edges, run my finger over every copper seam and get lost in a complex process. Transforming a rigid but fragile medium into something with intrinsic strength and fluidity is so exciting to me. It’s a beautiful balance.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The most difficult thing for me was to own my desire to become a professional creative. I felt like the word “artist” conveyed an innate sense of frivolity. I often downplayed my skills as a hobby. A little over a year ago, I was introduced to a nonprofit organization that works to advance San Diego’s creative industries. Vanguard Culture was a creative catalyst for me. They were an open resource that encouraged me, provided free professional development guidance and showcased events that inspired me to create a business card and own the word “ARTIST”. I am lucky enough to have found a creative passion. If a young woman finds that same desire, feed it, educate yourself on technique and surround yourself with others that encourage your gifts.
Thanks to that growth, my daydreams are beginning to outgrow my workspace. My glass studio is a small corner of my garage. I spend hours in this cathartic bubble of creative isolation. It can result in incredible pieces because there is no one to tell you that it can’t be done, but it also results in some anxiety when you shine the outside light on them and share them with the world. I have a hard time letting go of small imperfections. I now try to realize those organic details are what showcases a handcrafted piece created with intent and passion.
I am also learning that collaboration and networking with other creative minds is a beautiful catalyst for inspiration. It changes your word when you find others that elevate the importance of creative pursuits. Art regardless of technique or medium is a crucial part of our world. It is an essential therapeutic process for some, a beautiful form of communication and I have grown into the understanding that art is far from frivolous. Art is essential.
Another challenge is simply finding the materials. Stained glass seems to be a dying art and many of the local shops have closed over the years. Glass and solder prices have skyrocketed. There are a few large online distributors, but I miss the feel of handpicking each piece, seeing how it plays in the light and choosing the exact character of each sheet. I was lucky enough to come into a large stash of vintage glass through a Craigslist posting and I covet every single sheet. The beauty and character of vintage or mouth-blown glass just can’t be replicated and I only use it for very special projects.
Please tell us about Garage Girl Glassworks.
I have cracked and shattered endless pieces of glass. It is a beautiful and maddening medium. Creating with glass is a delicate balance of reading color and texture and coercing a fragile fragment into something resilient and timeless. I create both traditional custom flat panels and contemporary three-dimensional glasswork using the Tiffany method (drawing a paper pattern, hand score and snap the glass, grind the edges, fit, wrap in copper foil, burnish, tack, solder, patina, and wax). I also hand cut copper overlay, inset beading or crystals and reinforce with copper or zinc to provide hidden strength and character to each build. I love to mix vintage hand-rolled glass with modern machine produced materials. Every piece has its own distinct fingerprint of color, texture, and pattern and combining traditional methods with a contemporary twist provides endless possibilities.
Stained glass is a very traditional medium. People often think of church windows or suncatchers, and while those are also cherished and beautiful forms, I push the medium to a contemporary space. I love to build sculptural glass succulent walls, mosaic a meditative form on a surfboard or create fine art fan art that feeds my interest in Sci-Fi and pop culture. If we want to keep the tradition alive, we need to infuse it with a modern twist.
I am also excited to introduce my stained glass handbags. My goal is to launch a glass accessory line that showcases custom handcrafted wearable fine art. My clutches are a beautiful iridescent mix of vintage and new glass, modern frames and functional clasps. They are heirloom quality pieces and creating one is a time consuming and delicate process. As with any stained glass window, they require special care and handling, but they are a beautiful balance of art and functionality. As you move the bag morphs with every varied angle, shimmers in the sun, reflects candlelight and can even be lit from within for a stunning evening effect. I would love to see these in the hands of a bride, passed on as a wedding heirloom to her daughter, and have my art transcend generations. My goal is to create timeless wedding day or special event pieces that gain character, patina, and stories as they age.
Pricing:
- Evening clutches starting at $399 to $495
- 3D glass art starting at $1000
- Flat panels – price on request
Contact Info:
- Phone: 760-519-7572
- Email: sheila@garagegirlglassworks
- Instagram: @ghostridermama
- Other: @garagegirlglassworks
Image Credit:
Kathryn Caudle (photographer)
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