Conversations with Stephanie Speight

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Speight. 

Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
1980’s Conversation with a Guidance Counselor: So, what do you want to do with your life after graduation? Where do you want to go to college? 

ME: I want to be a glassblower and go to art school at CCAD 

Counselor: Well, that’s interesting. However, that’s not really practical. What’s your second choice? 

Dreams deflated. This conversation or a version of this transpired approximately 42 years ago of when I was in High School. I grew up in the small town of Canal Winchester, OH, with a graduating class of about 75 people back in 1982. College, let alone art school was not really an option as it was out of my financial means and not a normal/acceptable career path. 

Fast forward to about 2006. I had recently gotten remarried, and we purchased a home in Amanda, OH, with an extra garage studio (that was formally a woodworking studio). Dreams begin to swirl again in my mind of my youth and the art I could potentially make, be that any art from stained glass, mosaics, woodworking (like my father did), or like I was taught from the lady that lived on the farm next door to our farm, whom taught me to crochet and cross stitch. (Note, I rode my bike back and forth to or walked thru the field constantly). 

However, somewhere in the back of my mind, I found that little nugget of a dream some 40+ years ago of being a glassblower. It sparked a vision of perhaps I could try and dream again to be the type of glass worker that I saw in my youth, which is formally known as lampworking or flameworking. Glass manipulation on a torch at about 2100 degrees. 

My husband and I have spent a considerable amount of time in the Great Smokey Mountains and visiting the glassblower, who eventually sold to my now mentor Gary Neumeier (former Delphos, OH native now Gatlinburg, TN native). Several visits each year, and we would stop and visit Marsha and Sparky of Sparky’s Glassblowing. We became friends, good friends. Then one day I took a leap and took a one-hour hands-on torch class. The rest is history is how they say it. 

That one-hour class lead me to a path to which is now known as Cabin Fever Glass, LLC “Because she dreamed it” and I love log cabins. I basically am a self-taught, Book Educated YouTube Glassblower. I have been practicing my craft for several years and finally got the courage to take a leap of faith and “Do it scared.” So, 44 years after this faded dream was reignited into the vision that I am traveling on today. I also have an amazing mentor in Jayees, MS, Roger Smith that was formally a glassblower for Cypress Gardens (and a music educator to boot) Mentors and artists come in all shapes, sizes, genders, and backgrounds, and the diversity today is nowhere what it was back in the 1980s of what was acceptable for a girl to dream to become a glass artist. 

Being a glass artist is a constant battle of inspiration and perspiration, Band-Aids and burns, successes and failures. So many thoughts and ideas flood my mind daily (yes, I carry a notebook to jot them down). It is one of the most challenging art forms that I have learned. It’s not easy by any means. But my Mentor Roger Smith from Mississippi always says” Make Another One”. These are words that my husband loves to spew when I am ready to quit. Roger’s right (so is my husband, UGH), but it’s not always what you want to hear when you are struggling with a piece on the torch. 

I am blessed with the amazing support of my husband whom is the best storyteller that reared from Louisiana (an expert Cajun Animated Story-teller). His job in the studio is to educate and schmooze people when they come to our events. George explains the process of how all of my pieces are made right in Amanda, OH starting with a glass Rod or Tube (nothing from China here or bought). He takes delight in telling them about me (while I’m on the torch demonstrating), and then it is usually followed by some Louisiana quirky saying or tale. He is as entertaining as they come. 

The next step in this journey is to continue to work on my craft, but the long-term vision is when Sparky is ready to retire, we want to move to the Great Smokey Mountains and take over. As I always say “I’m coming for your job, Sparky”. Ps. Sparky knows this, lol 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Youth, Marriage, Children, Divorce, then remarriage. 

Life Challenges/obstacles like everyone else. 

Like described above, small-town country tom-girl not a normal career path. I would say the biggest challenge when I took the leap of faith was finding access to equipment and studio space to learn flameworking; thank goodness for the internet. I excelled at mosaics because I was good at breaking glass but not manipulating glass. 

It has taken me years to build up the studio with the proper equipment to practice this art form. I remember at one of the events we participated in, I had a lady give me a huge compliment because you never feel worthy enough, skilled enough, for someone to purchase your art. “I think it is badass that you are a woman and blow-glass”! I didn’t know it at the time, but YEAH, IT IS! 😊 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
So, why do I do what I do? Why do I make what I make? I love to make anything whimsical that will put a smile on your face or a memory. My purpose for making art in this form is simple. I love helping people create memories for years to come when they see my work displayed, especially on the Christmas Tree. You see, my grandmother on my mother’s side had a tradition that every Thanksgiving she would grace each of us girls a new ornament for our upcoming Christmas Tree. 

It’s a true honor to be a part of people’s lives at the most important time, making memories or gifts for someone special. I have a small Christmas Tree dedicated each year just to Grandma’s ornaments and her mother’s ornaments (great-grandmother). THIS IS WHAT BRINGS ME SO MUCH JOY IN THE PROCESS 

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Like so many children, we spent a lot of time traveling on adventures to many fairs and festivals in the State of Ohio. There was always that “ONE GUY” that had a torch fired up. This artist always drew a crowd at any event. I remember being mesmerized by the torch (I still am at 58 years young no matter who it is). The way they would manipulate glass into trinkets and figurines STILL fascinates me. Do you recall “Stitched Glass”? It’s not easy to give the illusion of stitching items with glass to give it a lace effect, however as Roger keeps telling me, “Make Another One,” Ugh. I love sharing and teaching others about this amazing form of glass. 

Pricing 

I would gather that the majority of my work (90%+) will fit within anyone’s budget and help them capture memories of their own for years to come. I will say that I do not currently have a website but only a Facebook site. (Working on the other). 

Studio Hours 

I participate in 3 open studio events a year thru a group of talented people called The Country Shop Hop (www.countryshophop.com), where you can take a drive in the country in the Amanda, Stoutsville, and Tarlton areas and see what hidden gems are lurking in people’s garages, shops, and restaurants. We have some very talented hidden gems in our area. Otherwise, if my garage studio door is open, come on by or call, and I would love to help you pick up a memory for your family. 

Contact Info:

• Facebook: Cabin Fever Glass

Image Credits
Mallorylynne Photography