How did you come to use glass as a medium for your jewelry?
My progression into stained glass jewelry started when I first moved to Chicago. I grew up in northern massachusetts and was extremely lucky to have two lampworking glassblowers for parents who taught my sister and myself their trade at the very early age of seven. I truely enjoyed this and missed it once I moved to Chicago. My lack of money for renting a studio space needed for glassblowing and my interest I had always had in stained glass sparked a trip to a stained glass supply store. I basically loaded up my car with all the supplies I was told I would need to start and also a basic how to book. I rushed home and started right away cutting glass in my kitchen and have not looked back since.
What was the progression of your first pieces to the pieces that you create today?
My first pieces when I was just starting out were very basic sun catchers. I had
always loved creating jewelry with glassblowing techniques and over time began experimenting more and more with stained glass this way. There has been quite a lot of trial and error with coming up with designs but now i am truly happy and excited about my line of jewelry. I have recently started fusing my own glass to create my owns patterns with lines and shapes which I add to my jewelry pieces.
How do you sell your jewelry?
I sell my jewelry to stores and galleries around the country but most of them are located around Chicago and Boston. I also sell my jewelry through my website.
What was the process of moving from selling jewelry to friends and family to turning Kostick Glass Jewelry into an official business?
From the beginning when i first started making stained glass jewelry i was very lucky to have very supportive friends and family encouraging and backing me and my creations. A little over a year after I started working with stained glass jewelry I felt stuck in a rut. With their love and support they gave me the confidence to cut down on restaurant shifts and try to take my passion to the next level. The day I went down to downtown chicago and get my first business license was an such amazing day!
What does your typical day look like?
A typical day for me is waking up. brewing strong coffee and then heading straight to my studio to listen to podcasts and watch bad reality tv and work. I am very fortunate to work out of my apartment. I do work in a restaurant on the weekends which is a great social outlet after being alone in my studio all through the week.
How do you sell yourself and your jewelry to potential clients?
This is probably the hardest part of the business for me. It is something that has become easier over time as I have become more confident and sure of myself and my line. A large portion of how I sell myself is just letting the product speak for itself. I try very hard to make well made and innovative jewelry.
What is the best part about owning your own business?
I love the joy I feel when working when I remind myself this is my job.
Just in case you you needed a little more evidence of Etta’s complete and utter AWESOMENESS, I will leave you with my very, very, very favorite photo of her making jewelry on her mother’s front porch during the onset of a nor’easter.
