Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Molly Jackson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Molly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I was first introduced to the craft of stained glass by an amazing art teacher in high school. Prior to her I didn’t realize this was something anyone could do, other than artists who worked on church windows. She had found some old supplies previous teachers had left behind and together we learned some of the very basics, like scoring glass, using copper foil tape, and soldering. I was truly awful at it. When we finished the stained glass lesson as a class she let me take home some of the supplies. There was just something about it- working with glass made me feel so empowered, even though at this point I was still terrible at it. Fast forward two years and I’m in my sophomore year of college working towards a communication sciences and disorders degree looking for a creative outlet- I would draw sometimes, and tried my hand at painting and embroidery, but nothing ever really felt right. I was at a hobby store when I saw they had some sheet glass, foil tape, a glass scorer, and rolls of solder- I bought one of each on a whim. I started right back where I left off- creating truly horrendous and structurally questionable pieces of art. It took years of bloodshed, tears, broken glass, and the occasional question to google to get where I am today. For example, during those first several months I didn’t even know what running or grozing pliers were (these are essential tools when breaking your score lines) and even tried to grind the edges of my pieces of glass smooth using sand paper taped to my coffee table- ha! My lack of knowledge regarding equipment needed to efficiently create stained glass art was a huge setback, and had I spent a little time researching before diving in I think I would have laid a much less frustrating foundation for myself. In terms of my technical skills, like cutting and soldering, I’m grateful for all of those mistakes I made. I learn best by doing, and learn even better by messing up. There is also something really rewarding about persevering at something that you’re just not good at. My mom used to joke to my sister and me that she raised a couple of quitters since in our school years she always let us quit sports and clubs as soon as we grew bored of them. It feels good to have found something I would never dream of quitting.

Molly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a stained glass artist, small business owner, and part-time school speech-language pathologist currently based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was first introduced to the art of stained glass in high school. While I was pursuing my bachelors degree I was in search of a creative outlet, and at a hobby store I stumbled upon some basic supplies to pick back up where I had left off years prior. I created stained glass art as a hobby for a year or so, and as I developed my skills I began gifting and selling small pieces to friends and family. Over time I decided to open up an Etsy store to expand my customer base and help pay for school alongside my limited income as a part time server. I chose to take a year off from school after receiving my bachelors degree, and worked in the health and human services field to gain some work experience that I thought would better prepare me for graduate school. The job I chose wasn’t for me, and I found myself dreaming more and more about my glasswork. I began to reach out to other women owned small businesses and secured almost a dozen wholesale accounts in seven states. Right around this time I learned my mom was sick, and it only made sense to cut ties with the job that wasn’t serving me and dive into the chaotic world of small business ownership so I would have the flexibility to take care of my mom when it was needed. I consider this to be one of the most pivotal and proudest moments in my career as an artist, daughter, and small business owner- as scary as taking the dive was it was like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders, Since then I’ve gone on to graduate with my masters degree, film a course on stained glass with the global company Domestika, and have begun work in the field of speech-language pathology- all while growing a thriving art business, something that I never thought was possible for me. I now create pieces of art ranging from tiny suncatchers to small transom windows, with the recent addition of more functional pieces such as vases and lamps. A lot of my work relates back to my love for nature, and you’ll find plenty of bird, plant, and cloud themes if you take a look at my Instagram feed. Currently I sell the majority of my work online on my website, although I have begun to participate in more markets and art shows in the community. I absolutely love being able to make personal connections with my customers, and have been opening up more opportunities for custom work sporadically throughout the year.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My decision to transition from hobbyist/artist to full time small business owner was pushed in part by my mom’s cancer diagnosis. I quit my job, registered myself as a single member LLC, and discharged my mom from the hospital five hours from where I was living at the time all in the same week. I spent the next two weeks juggling trying to figure out what the heck it means to be a small business owner with radiation treatments and medication schedules. Becoming an independent small business felt like an act of necessity so I could support my mom in any way I could, and I try to maintain that same level of determination in everything I do related to my art and my business. My mom used to joke that she raised my sister and me to be quitters, so continuing on with stained glass art (even when I was truly awful at it) and business ownership (even when it gets hard and confusing) is one thing I know I can do to make her proud.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think there is so much that’s rewarding about creating stained glass art, but I’ll stick to just a couple things. This is really vague and subjective but the feeling of having a finished product in your hands is just the best. You go through so many steps- designing, cutting, grinding, cleaning, foil wrapping, soldering, maybe framing, more cleaning, maybe a patina, and polishing. After all those hours and all of that hard work (probably a little bloodshed, maybe a couple tears) it is just the best feeling to see that finished piece in the sunlight. I also really value the kind messages and connections I’ve made with my customers. Sometimes making art feels a little superficial, but when I hear from one of my customers or from a follower on my Instagram that my work gives them hope, inspiration, or just puts a smile on their face I know what I’m doing isn’t frivolous, there’s a bigger purpose for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cedarandsprucestudios.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedarandspruce.studios