Today we’d like to introduce you to Daneal Hansel.
Hi Daneal, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I became interested in art at a very young age and received a scholarship to attend Columbus College of Art and Design for my drawing skills after graduating high school. While at the college, I discovered Glassblowing, which ended up being my Major course of study for my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts that I earned in 1998. I have since held many various careers in the arts, mostly glass related, until opening Kaleidoscope Artisans Guild in 2011 (formerly named Locally Blown Glass). Kaleidoscope is a Co-Op Gallery specializing in Glass Art and Ceramics. We represent a select group of talented local artists.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Creating art for profit is a challenge in itself. Sometimes the art creation was a part-time gig balanced within another job that paid the bills, but it has always been the goal. I strive to design pieces that appeal to myself as well as the customer. Designs also need to be created in a timely manner with limited use of expensive materials, so they can be marketed at a fair price and produce a profit. I think my biggest challenge is online sales of one-of-a-kind, original pieces. Creating listings for each piece would be a full-time job in itself, and often the pieces sell from Kaleidoscope before there’s a chance for that! Finding the time to create my work, on top of staffing and managing Kaleidoscope and being a mom, is also a challenge!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Something that sets me apart from other is my range of glass art knowledge. I am experienced in Glassblowing, Fusing, Casting, Lampworking, and Stained Glass. Although I started off blowing glass, creating vases and bowls, as well as the other methods of glass art, I now specialize in glass jewelry. These pieces are created by melting colored glass rods in a 3000-degree torch. The technique is often referred to as “Lampwork” or “Flamework”. The molten glass is basically” sculpted” into beads that I finish into necklaces, pendants, and earrings. Most of my creations are inspired by natural landscapes. I like to think of them as miniature paintings in glass. The beads are created in one sitting in front of the torch. All of the design is created with the glass in an additive fashion. There is no “paint”.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I often work with customers to create custom pieces. I am experienced in stained glass creation, as well as the restoration and repair of older windows or panels. Aside from my regular jewelry designs, I also create memorial glass, which incorporates the ashes of loved ones into the glass jewelry piece or marble. I like to work directly with the customer on these to design a piece that is truly special.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.kaleidoscopeartisansguild.com
- Instagram: Kaleidoscope Artisans Guild
- Facebook: @Kaleidoscopeartisansguild
