We were lucky to catch up with Kathryn Adams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kathryn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I’m the co-founder and 50% owner of Nice Time Glass — a women-owned glassblowing studio and gallery in Asheville, NC. The idea for our business didn’t come from a dream or a sudden spark of inspiration; it came out of necessity. My business partner and I had already built a strong foundation — a loyal client base, consistent custom work, and a growing reputation. The next logical step was to create a space that could support what we’d already grown. It wasn’t a “build it and they will come” leap of faith. We built it because they were already coming — and we needed the infrastructure to sustain and expand our work.
I never imagined I’d own a glass shop — it’s a massive undertaking. A glass studio is part industrial warehouse, part science lab, and part sweltering kitchen. But the timing aligned, and I found the ideal business partner: someone whose strengths complemented mine, who shared the same vision and urgency for building something bigger — not just for ourselves, but for our community.
We saw a gap in Asheville’s glass scene. There were schools, private studios, and production shops — but nowhere for a professional glassblower to walk in and feel empowered to make their own work independently. We wanted to create that kind of space: one that balances professionalism and accessibility, supports working artists, and contributes to a stronger, more collaborative glass community.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a glass artist and designer based in Asheville, North Carolina, and co-founder of Nice Time Glass, a contemporary glass studio and gallery space located in West Asheville. My journey in glass began at Alfred University, where I graduated in 2011. Shortly after, I took a class at Penland School of Craft that introduced me not only to the material in a new light, but also to the vibrant, creative community of Western North Carolina. I moved to Asheville in 2012, and have been deeply rooted in its arts ecosystem ever since.
Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of roles that helped shape and grow the glass community here. I taught and managed at the Asheville Glass Center and later served as Operations Director of the North Carolina Glass Center for four years, helping to guide its expansion and connect more people to the medium. I’ve also volunteered with the River Arts District Business Association and currently serve on the board of the River Arts District Foundation, working to support the district’s cultural and economic growth.
Now, I’m fully focused on my studio practice. Through Nice Time Glass, which I co-founded with my business partner Haley Jelinek (also a glass artist), we specialize in handcrafted custom lighting and design-driven decorative glass. I believe lighting is one of the most powerful ways to experience glass — the way it interacts with color, transparency, and shadow is endlessly dynamic. Our clients come to us for custom pendant lights, chandeliers, barware, and one-of-a-kind decorative pieces that are tailored to their aesthetic, architecture, and atmosphere. No two projects are the same, and that’s what I love most — the collaborative process of shaping an environment through light and glass.
What sets my work apart is our attention to palette, form, and the use of traditional Venetian techniques like encalmo — a method of joining separate bubbles of glass to create clean, graphic lines. I use this centuries-old process to create modern silhouettes that feel fresh and architectural. I care deeply about balancing craftsmanship with design, and creating objects that feel intentional, timeless, and joyful.
I’m most proud of building a creative business that puts community, collaboration, and curiosity at its core. Whether I’m lighting a kitchen island or an entire gallery, my goal is always the same: to make work that enhances a space and brings people a sense of delight. Nice Time Glass is a celebration of process, partnership, and good design.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Haley and I met through a series of shared experiences and overlapping circles — we’re both graduates of Alfred University, just four years apart. Even though we didn’t cross paths there, we eventually found ourselves on remarkably similar journeys: both migrating to Western North Carolina and immersing ourselves in the region’s glass community. Over the next seven years, we worked side-by-side in the hot shop, building a creative rhythm and mutual respect that really laid the foundation for what would become Nice Time Glass.
When we decided to officially go into business together, it felt incredibly natural — like the next step in a long, shared path. We also knew we wanted to do it right. We worked with a fantastic lawyer to ensure we set up everything properly from the start, which gave us real peace of mind. We’ve made intentional choices that help us navigate challenges with clarity and stay grounded in our shared vision, even when things get stressful. Having that strong personal and professional foundation has made all the difference — it’s why the business feels not only sustainable, but exciting.
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
Ecommerce. We are currently in the let’s try it all phase! One thing I’ve learned as an artist and entrepreneur for the last 10 years you have to try a little bit of everything to see what sticks. We use both Etsy, Shopify, Faire, In person sales, markets.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Nicetimeglass.com
- Instagram: Nicetimeglass
