The best part of art shows is demonstrating. Adults remember that during their childhood they saw a glass blower and even remember what he or she made; children stand wide-eyed and fascinated and will someday tell another glassblower, “I remember when I was a kid and saw…”
Jay McIver
Random Facts About You?I started blowing glass immediately out of high school, and have never done, nor wanted to do, anything else for a living since then.
The best part of art shows is demonstrating. Adults remember that during their childhood they saw a glass blower and even remember what he or she made; children stand wide-eyed and fascinated and will someday tell another glassblower, "I remember when I was a kid and saw..."
What got you started crafting?
I entered the glassblowing field in 1975 when I was a junior in high school. My first instructor was Roger Smith, the glassblower at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida. I loved it and discovered that I had a natural feel for hot glass.
What is your source of inspiration?
Most of what I create involve sea life, particularly sea turtles, in one form or another. Having grown up in Florida, I never cease to be amazed at ocean creatures and their habitat.
What have you made recently?
The last thing I made was a wall vase from borosilicate glass tubing. The vase is about 6" tall with a hole in the back for hanging and they work well alone with a single flower or clustered in groups.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
Most of my business at this point is wholesale to gift shops, art museums and art galleries. I also do the First Saturday on the River art shows in Savannah, Georgia, every month, and during the winter I exhibit and sell at the Florida Keys Art Guild shows.
Additionally, I have my website, designsbyj.com; a shop on Etsy; and a shop at 1000markets.com.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
Does anyone not prefer original, unique art, rather than buying something just like a million others? Art speaks to you and evokes emotions like nothing else can.
Find Me
LocationGainesville, FL
Email Address
Jay McIver
Personal Website
http://designsbyj.com
Store Website
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jmac1958
@designsbyj
