If it can withstand temperatures in excess of 1500 degrees, then it’s the medium for ME.  I only work hot.  I am a glass artist and silversmith based in Jacksonville, Florida.  I create one-of-a-kind Art Glass beads and pendants in my studio.  I want my glass pieces to be very unique so I fabricate settings in Sterling Silver by silversmithing them to hold my art glass creations.

 

The first steps in my journey started as a child at Pinemere camp in Pennsylvania in the pottery room where I always dreamed of being an artist when I grew up.  After majoring in accounting and minoring in art in college, I spent 25 years working in clay as a potter.  In 2003, I attended an artist conference at  the Penland School of Craft in North Carolina.  I tried glass there and I was instantly hooked.  I fell in love with glass as a medium and started taking as many classes as I could.  I’ve been lucky enough to take classes at Corning with many prestigious teachers including Loren Stump, Suellen Fowler, Tim Drier, John Kobuki and Joy Munshower.  In addition, I have also taken classes in Murano, Italy with Lucio Bubacco and Vittorio Costantini and in Florida with Robert Mickelsen.

 

I also wanted to explore silver and started taking classes in silversmithing at the Jacksonville Gem & Mineral Society in 2008.    

 

I presently teach glass blowing, bead making and silversmith techniques at the Jacksonville Gem & Mineral Society.

 

My work is now on display at the Corning Glass Art Studio, and sells in the Corning Museum Gift shop.  Locally in Jacksonville I also sell to the Cummer Art Museum gift shop.  

 

I have been featured in numerous publications.  I am also the only American glass artist to have been featured in Bead Review three consecutive years (Bead Review showcased the top 40 glass art beads in the world each year it was published). 

 

My work as a professional artist has given me a unique opportunity to reach and speak with thousands of people at art festivals, from all walks of life, which is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.  But I’m high-risk for COVID so exhibiting at art festivals is no longer an option for me.

 

Presently my glass art is available at some galleries and via my Etsy store:  heatherferman.etsy.com  or by contacting me directly for special order one of a kind items. I love creating gifts for your loved ones!

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