(aka Kristine Shafer)
“From the sheer enjoyment of cutting, breaking, and melting it to the science that defines it, I am captivated by glass. I reflect history, culture, the specifics of a place, and explorations of myself through my glass art.”
About
I put down roots in Austin after graduating from UT as a special education teacher in 2005. Over the first 10 years of my professional career I was a teacher. I taught in public school out in Del Valle as a special educator, then moved to Veritas, a private school, to establish a transitional education program for adopted students. Out of a love of studying, I even got my master’s degree in School Administration and was certified as a principal. But then…
I started playing with fused glass in 2015 at the YMCA of the Rockies on a family vacation. They had a glass fusing studio set up in their Art Barn basement. I spent hours that summer talking with the girls running the kiln and diving into the fusing corner of the online world. My first pieces were a series of Texas wildflowers that still hang in my studio.
In 2017, we moved to a new home in eclectic central Austin which had a small stand alone space in the backyard. This provided the perfect opportunity to more seriously develop my love of glass art. I turned that little, blue, backyard room into a bonafide glass studio. I devoured every glass fusing tutorial I could find from contemporary artists in the glass world such as Paul Tarlow, Bob Leatherborrow, and Dale Keating. I poured over the wisdom from the founders of the current glass movement with their hilariously worded works from the 70s and 80s, including Boyce Lundstrom, Richard La Londe, and Richard Marquise. I swam in the wealth of knowledge available from Bullseyeglass.com. I also began taking classes from Paul and his team of seasoned teachers and guest artists at Helios Fused Glass Studio.
In 2019 Paul turned his attention to ebooks and private studio work. A group of 5 local kiln artists and long-term Helios customers stepped-up to keep the fused glass studio open: Stephanie Clay, Beth Roddin, Tracy Gill, Gail Tibbitts (with hubby Jay Cruce), and myself. Our desire to maintain Helios as a fused glass resource and education center fueled a drive to update and expand the studio equipment, retail shop, and classroom. Of that original group, Gail Tibbitts and I kept the doors open throughout the pandemic with the support of an incredible volunteer community. Specifically, I have to thank Laurie Rich and Kat Kramer-Adiar for their support through that time and it’s transitions, as well as Jenny Ehrlich and Kim Brill.
Currently, I’m the sole owner, studio manager, and web developer of Helios. With the aid of an expanded staff and the support of like-minded local glass artists, we sustain a legacy of glass and community that we’re dedicated to and will continue to hold dear. I, personally, will continue learning from incredible artists who continue to visit Helios, including Richard Parrish, Nathan Sandberg, Lois Manno, and Morgan Madison (if you’re reading this then you’re the first in on that scoop for Fall 2023!). Additionally, I’ve found my way to the incredible technical teachings of Stephen Richard, and the masterful experience that is learning from Narcissus Quagliata’s lectures and classes. I periodically keep making new pieces between scraping kiln shelves and reconciling the books. I’m also grateful to say, Helios will be continuing its fusing adventures for years to come. AlI I can say is, “Thank you!”, to the incredible continued support of the fusing and glass-curious community in Central Texas, nationally, and abroad! I love hanging out with you all!
Location - Austin, TX
Blue Art House closed permanently. All operations have been moved to Helios Fused Glass Studio.