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Artisan Statement

It is that personal feeling of euphoria which moves me to begin and complete my unique forms of organic art. My creative outlet is the art of forming glass and all the glorious ways to use it.

I use various processes to manipulate glass into my own creative artistic expressions: flame working (also called lamp working) with a softer glass to create lovely focal beads and small sculptures, kiln forming (also called fused glass) for larger pieces of harder glass to use or to become wearable art and/or utilitarian objects.

Each work begins with a new vision of colors and shapes that come together using my treasure box of materials filled with everything from clear, translucent, opaque and magically sparkling dichroic glass, then with creative processes, patience and skill; I transform these materials, along with my visions, into works of art.

Artisan Biography

Shirley Hand was born in a small community in rural Oklahoma; raised mostly in Texas and learned from nature which she uses in much of her organically styled works. Though formal education includes a degree in Art, it has had little effect on the 'Art Form' used in current interests. In the last 8-10 years, since her personal discovery of the fluidity of glass, Shirley has taken glass related classes at local venues, as well as at studios of glass makers such as Uroboros and Bullseye Glass in Portland, Oregon. Also she has learned much from the many expert glass artists locally, as well as through the books and DVD's that are now available.

She currently enjoys teaching classes in beginning glass fusing and wire wrapping (as a means of showing off beautiful, wearable art). Shirley is available for private lessons locally and in her home studio when she isn't participating in events such as Arts Goggle and Gallery Night.