We were lucky to catch up with Kelley Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kelley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

In 2004 we were a one car family, I was a stay at home mom of two little ones. I had endless creativity flowing through my veins. I couldn’t stop painting the walls in my home different colors and styles. I also created sterling silver and Swarovski crystal jewelry, I couldn’t buy enough colors, sizes and shapes of crystal beads to satisfy my brain. I got myself in a little bit of debt not realizing jewelry wasn’t going to fly off the shelves, my husband bailed me out of debt and I said I wouldn’t do that again and I didn’t but I never stopped looking at what was out there. One day I was web surfing and came across some large glass beads on eBay. I started reading their description to find out what on earth I was looking at, they said they made them in their home studio…I started to cry, I knew this was it! Remember we had one vehicle and hubby worked so the kids and I were home all day, working from home would be ideal. If I could learn what tools and supplies I’d need I could do this and let my creativity fly.
I went straight to the library and got every book I could find on lamp work beads, I even had the library reach out to other libraries to get their books in stock. I studied for weeks, all the while homeschooling my two children.
I, very slowly, started buying the bare minimum of what I’d need and after a few months, I finally told my husband what I had in mind, he was hesitant yet supportive. He set up my torch for me and after I made my first bead, I came inside hyperventilating I was so excited! Not sure I took a breath during that first encounter with my torch. My husband asked “so when can you start selling these things?” I said “I can’t sell anything without a kiln” he turned towards the computer and bought me a kiln that same day. When It arrived, you guessed it, I cried. To have his support meant everything to me.
My son, Nolan, was about six years old when I made my first bead and he still remembers what it looked like. I’m assuming my excitement made it a memorable moment for him. My very first bead was horrible and it cracked but it set me up for ten years of soft glass bead creating and jewelry design. I was also able to paint the walls of my house one last time a sweet coffee color, never tempted to paint them again.

In 2014 after ten years of melting glass beads I met someone online who made marbles. I didn’t know anything about marbles. I knew about the shooter marbles we’d play with as kids but that was it. I had so many questions…with beads it was easy because you use a mandrel to wrap the hot glass on to but a big blob of molten glass being held with more glass?….thats not possible, I thought…It was mind boggling to me. Yet again I had the fire in my soul to learn how it WAS possible and I was going to make MARBLES! Soon after studying my heart out, I moved into the world of (hard glass) Borosilicate/Pyrex glass. This glass needs a lot of heat to melt so I needed a whole new set up including a new torch and all new glass. Boro glass has stolen my heart. I’ve been self taught for a total of 20 years now. I’ve never actually taken a glass class of any kind. Ive taught many others through the years and continue to teach as I get approached.
I currently specialize in large abstract contemporary collector marbles, larger pandora style beads, pendants and small sculptures. I love adding air traps to my designs, micro bubbles are my favorite. Creating other worldly planets inside a glass orb always excites me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was high school age hanging at the mall with my girlfriends, I guess we were there looking for the latest and greatest clothing or shoes. As we passed by this window display of a very expensive crystal shop, I was memorized by this crystal clear sphere with perfectly placed large air bubbles trapped inside it. I stared and pondered what this object might be and how was it created? My friends took off without me, they were not impressed. I always remember that day as the first time I’d ever seen a collector marble, even though at the time I had no idea what it was. I never forgot it.

What sets me apart from others? I don’t plan what I’m going to create that day. I just go to “work” with excitement and a sense of adventure. I let the colors speak to me as they’re laid out on my work bench and in my glass holders.

Im most proud of the fact I’m self taught, I never learned anyone else’s designs, and never picked up anyone else’s way of melting. Also proud to say I’ve never quit in 20 years. Things get slow, I keep going. Im broke, I keep going. I’m feeling well off, I keep going. Never quit, never give up!
It’s in my blood.
I’ve always said, I put my guts into my art. I’m not saying everything I’ve ever made is amazing because that’s just not reality however even the ugly ones are valuable to me. I don’t just melt glass as a job, it’s what I was born to do.
I have a huge grateful heart to be able to do this craft,
I do whatever possible to make sure I put out the best possible quality items. If something goes wrong during shipping I make it right by sending another item or recreating a similar item.
Everything I make is one of a kind so if I do have to remake something its always an original.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

Recently I did a gallery show in Seattle WA. At the Red Sky Gallery. Kristen Reitz-Green does canvas oil paintings of my collector marbles, opening night was November 2, 2024, It’s a show with four artists, using four colors, four ways. The show will run through January 2025. I have 51 collector marbles and 31 pendants on display.

I also sell my art on Etsy, I like Etsy because It’s user friendly and it features mostly handmade craft style products. I love seeing other peoples handmade creations on one platform. Most of the items are one of a kind so I sell there mostly because it’s set apart for the do it yourself crafters.
people can find me here https://www.etsy.com/shop/GirlieGirlGlass

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In 2018 I was divorced after 20 years of marriage. I was now the one responsible for working full time, making sure all the bills were paid and being both mom and dad. Glass is all I know how to do and It’s carried the kids and I for the last six years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GirlieGirlGlass
• Instagram: GirlieGirlGlass
• Facebook: Kelley Johnson or GirliGirlGlass
• Youtube: GirlieRyzn

Image Credits

Kelley Johnson