HOW IT ALL BEGAN!
I discovered my inner artist late in life - I was always a tom boy and my relaxation came from horseback riding when I wasn't practicing veterinary medicine or raising a family. In 2007, at my husband Fritz’s insistence to find a fun hobby to take my mind of my parents failing health and the day to day challenges of running Oregon Dunes KOA, I discovered Kazuri Beads and started ‘Necklaces By Nonny’. I could work on my projects and remain close to my Dad to care for him. My interest in beads expanded to trade beads and then I discovered handmade glass beads. That hobby kept me occupied until Daddy passed away in 2008. I still do some Kazuri bead jewelry but most of my jewelry pieces are fused glass. After Daddy away, Fritz convinced me to branch out and try my hand at fused glass. I argued that wasn't my thing but I took an introduction course from Lucy Varojean at Classical Glass in North Bend, Or. From that afternoon I became fascinated with warm glass. I unpacked a small kiln I had bought for Fritz in 1964. Over the years, he never used the kiln but we packed it every time we moved. When I contacted the kiln company for instructions, the technician said it was one of the oldest kilns he had ever seen! Over the next 3 years, I used glass to escape the stress of caring for my aging Mom. Mommy passed away in 2011 and glass art helped transition me from daughter to family matriarch.
Life manages to throw you curve balls when you think all is well. In 2015, Fritz was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and once again glass became my refuge from the joys and tribulations of caring for my best friend of 51 years. June, 2018 we sold our KOA campground and relocated to Rio Vista, CA to be close to our son and college friends that we have known since 1969. In August 2019, I lost my best friend of 51 years and husband of 46 years. It has taken a long time for my creative juices to return but I am finally excited about firing up my kilns again. Some days I am more inspired than other days but I know Fritz is urging me on from above. My dragonfly garden magnets are inspired by Fritz and my Dad - they always said they were good luck when one landed on their fishing poles! It is a happy day when one flies by my head in my back yard or over the Trilogy Rio Vista pool during Aqua Exercise.
Over the last 15 years I have taken classes from Bullseye Glass in Portland, Oregon . I also spent a week in Florida with Tanya Veit at AAE Glass. Other online courses from Nathan Sandberg, Nancy Weisser, Bob Leatherbarrow, Kate MacLeod, Gail Stouffer, Paul Messink, and Larry Pyle keep me inspired. I learn something new with each technique. I currently have pieces at Clutterbug in Rio Vista CA.
I hope you enjoy my art work. I strive to produce quality pieces. Because glass has a mind of it's own, most pieces are unique and cannot be exactly recreated. I know Mommy and Daddy are smiling down on their ‘tom-boy daughter’ and Fritz is smiling his famous grin and saying "I told you so" as I continue my fused glass journey.
