Glass is my passion but it has been a long road to get here.

Early in life I was pushed toward a scientific career and my artistic side took a back seat.  But even then the urge to be creative and explore color and form were with me.  During college I took a stained glass class.  I was fascinated by the ability to cut colorful shapes and form it together into something that was mine. 

My next stop was counted cross-stitch.  Taking little bits of color (the Xs of floss) and putting them together to make an overall design was addicting.  During my search for more inspiration I happened upon a quilt store and I was hooked. 

Although I started in traditional patterns I quickly navigated into the art quilt scene using hand dyed fabrics and my own whimsical designs.  For over a decade I created my designs and quilts.  Then one day I saw a class in a quilt store for wire wrapping.  On a whim my girlfriend and I took it. 

It was addicting.  I love form and curves.  Bending wire around beautiful glass cabochons was a perfect match.  Soon I wanted to create the cabochons myself and thus I take up fusing.

I couldn’t find a class in Chicago (imagine that) but I did find Deb Crowley on the web and went to Oregon for eight days of fusing classes.  That was the beginning.  Since then I have spent countless hours creating and making jewelry as well as larger fused pieces (bowls, platters, plates, panels).  Today I love to incorporate the use of dichroic into my pieces whenever possible.  My style is still developing but in general my larger pieces I would consider whimsical original patterns of nature and animals with a touch of my quilting background thrown in.  I love glass and sharing what I have learned.

Cheryl Frech