I’m from Lafayette, Indiana. Born here in Lafayette, grew up here in Lafayette, and moved away to learn glass blowing because there wasn’t any glass here. Chemistry glass blowing at Purdue University is the first hands-on experience I could get. From there, I had an apprenticeship at Florida for three years. I learned cross-fires, using a neon set-up and I used lead crystal (which is kind of unusual for most people). From there, I’m somewhat self-taught. When the opportunity arose, I started taking as many classes as possible from different masters. I’ve had the chance to travel to Seattle; Corning, New York; North Carolina; and many other places to learn glass blowing because nothing was offered in the area.

I’m probably the first to offer flame-working in the area, definitely the only one with this big of a facility. I do furnace glass blowing and flame-working and sometimes combinations of both. Most people concentrate on one or the other. I’m also experienced in both Pyrex as well as Moretti, which is a rare versatility. But I encourage my students to pursue whatever suits them best. So then I can teach them skills along that particular line. Because I like blowing and doing, say, goblets as well sculptural pieces, and figures to go in between them. Since I’ve had the opportunity to study with some of the best known glass masters (Lucio Bubacco, Paul Stankard, Richard Ritter, Mark Pieser, Dante Marioni, Dick Markowitz, Mark Petrovich, Kari Russell-Pool), I feel thrilled that I can pass that along to our local community. I went to IU and studied art. My background is in ceramics and print-making, a double major. I enjoy working with people.

~ Sharon Owens

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