We recently connected with Mary Weaver and have shared our conversation below.

Mary, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

A couple of years ago, I was feeling unfulfilled and burned out in my marketing job. I’ve always been a crafty person, so I decided to reconnect with that side of myself. I’d been obsessed with stained glass since moving to NYC from Houston 12 years ago, so I took a one-day class and was instantly hooked!

There wasn’t much info on lead-free soldering, and there was definitely a lack of Black stained glass artists in the space. I was determined to take up space in the glass community, so I taught myself through trial and error (and lots of YouTube and Reddit). I set up a home studio, started posting my work online, and slowly grew a community. From there, I began selling at markets, teaching at the studio where I first learned, and eventually left my marketing job to pursue this full-time.

Now, I teach weekend stained glass classes in a shared space in Williamsburg. With 6 students, each class is intimate and it’s incredibly rewarding to watch people create something they’re proud of! I hope to teach in schools, host private events, and collaborate with local Brooklyn businesses on custom window pieces. In just two years, I’ve built something I’m truly proud of—and I’m just getting started!

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’m the founder of *Oh My Glass Art*, a Brooklyn-based stained glass business. I teach 4-hour classes where students create their own suncatchers using lead-free solder. I also take custom commissions and sell my work through seasonal drops online and at local markets.

My pieces are inspired by bold colors and playful designs meant to bring joy. As one of the few Black stained glass artists in the community, I’m proud to offer a fresh perspective and help make the craft more accessible. I share my process and tips on social media and if someone has a question, I’m always happy to help.

There’s a lot of gatekeeping in this space, and I want to break that down. I’m most proud of the community I’ve built and the joy I see in my students faces when they complete their first piece. I’m excited to keep growing *Oh My Glass Art* and helping others fall in love with this craft!

How did you build your audience on social media?

With my background in influencer and UGC marketing, becoming a content creator just felt natural! One of the best pieces of advice I got was to post like no one’s watching. It’s all about being authentic and free, without stressing over what others think.

One of my first big moments was when I shared my first trip to the glass store. I gained 10K followers from that post! My excitement was through the roof, and people really felt that energy. I was literally on the verge of hyperventilating, but my passion for what I was doing was contagious!

Another huge thing I’ve learned is the importance of showing the face behind the brand. This creates an emotional connection with your audience, making them feel more personally invested in your journey. Authenticity and connection are crucial for growing a loyal community.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I use Big Cartel to sell my work. It’s super user-friendly and affordable – perfect for artists and small brands with smaller inventories who just want a simple, no-frills online shop. I actually started on Etsy, but most of my sales were already coming through social media, so switching to Big Cartel made more sense for me. One big plus: they don’t take a percentage of each sale.

That said, there are a couple of downsides. There’s no built-in email marketing, so I’ve had to use third-party tools like Mailchimp. The SEO options are also pretty limited, which can make it harder to bring in organic traffic. But overall, it works well for my needs and gives me more control over my shop and my brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ohmyglassart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohmyglass_art/