I have been on a journey of growth, and growth is often painful and messy. Almost three years ago, I had to recon with my health. I am a mother of five, with a husband who works 12+ hours a day, 6+ days a week. I was consistently overwhelmed, fifty pounds overweight, and although my wish would have been to return to work years ago, a lack of available affordable childcare forced me to be at home with my children full-time.
It wasn’t the first time I had been compelled to reassess my life. As a young single mom, in my twenties, I had pulled myself and my young sons onto a better path by working two jobs, and going to school full-time to complete my degree. I worked on my physical health, and achieved my goal of participating in sprint-triathlons. After completing my degree, I found work as a teacher. For two years my sons were in the classroom with me until 7 pm most nights, while I completed my work. I operated a science lab for students in grades K-6, and taught most subjects to grades 5 and 6. I got married and decided to grow our family.
In February 2018 we took a family road trip to Florida. As I flopped onto the beach, feeling like a half-dead starfish, absorbing some much needed vitamin D, after what had been a very trying winter, I decided it was time for a change. With my children finally all in school on occasion, I got to work restoring my health. I found that it was helpful to set three daily goals; something physical, something creative, and something productive.
To get fit I used a mix of running, swimming, biking, roller blading, rock climbing, and yoga. By making time for something physical and modifying my diet, I have been able to lose more than fifty pounds, and I’m proud to say I’ve kept it off.
I am an artist. I enjoy working with stained glass, repurposed materials, and painting. I’ve created stained glass windows for my home, wind-chimes, crowns, fairy house nightlights, repurposed glass bottle containers, and jewelry.
I got to work developing a business model, and in January of 2020, I hosted my first workshop at a local restaurant. I am interested in the concept of intention. I engrave glass bottles with words like; joy, happiness, peace, hope, and love. I then paint the bottle with an image that feels evocative of that emotion, believing that you can consume what you need of joy, happiness, etc. if you choose to believe you can. On a bottle engraved with the word, “love”, I painted an image of a woman holding a bouquet of flowers. When I showed the bottle to my kids they said, “Mama, that’s you.” I hadn’t intended to paint a picture of myself, but I could see the resemblance. That bottle became my bottle of, “self-love”, and learning to drink from it more often provided for a profound shift in my thinking. At my workshop in January I invited my guests to create their own bottles of self-love. I engraved repurposed wine bottles with the word, “love”, and each guest custom painted their own. The evening was a success and everyone had a great time. In February I hosted another workshop, again we painted bottles, and this time, added fairy lights to create nightlights.
Covid came along and disrupted my plans. I have once again been caring for my children full-time, and much of my self-care has been put on the back burner. I am in the process of figuring out a new means of earning an income, and trying to make the best of this challenging time of life. In October I rented a space, and hosted “pop-up studios”, a concept I hope to grow. I am grateful that I have had the opportunity and wherewithal to heal, and to find my center. I look forward to continued growth as I work to bring art, sustainability, and health to my community. I welcome you to follow my journey. I call my work, “Glass Exchange Studios.” I appreciate the symbolism of glass, as a liquid and versatile medium.
Wishing you health and peace, in whatever challenges you may face.
Ms. Is 