The Firing Blog

Who are you? What do you do? What are you talking about? What will you be talking about? Why should I trust anything you have to say?

These are the many questions that I ask myself when I visit a blog. I want to know who is the person behind the words, what are their qualifications and why should I trust anything they have to say.

Don’t you? I would guess so. And without any further delay, here are my answers to your questions.

Who am I?

My name is Patricia Christine O’Neill. I am living in Phoenix, Arizona since 1998.
I am the owner of an art studio specialized into glass, and I am also the studio artist. The name of my studio is O’Neill Glass Art

Although I have some (little) help, I am deeply involved in all the aspect of my business. I like to see myself not as an artist who owns a business, but like an entrepreneur who happens to be an artist.

My work is made of glass that I melt and shape using the heat of a kiln. Thus the name kiln-formed glass given to this process.

I have a strong attraction for the metaphysical world as well as lost and ancient civilizations. Maybe because I’ve always felt that I was connected with something more than I already was.
You will find that a lot of my pieces integrate designs inspired by ancient civilizations (I always had difficulties with abstract designs and need imagery to express myself).

I practice Tai Chi, collect quartz crystals skulls and study Feng Shui as a hobby. Everything related to energy flow, healing, balance and harmony is a great source of inspiration for me. I would describe my work as a combination of elements of nature, anthropology, archeology, symbolism and spirituality.

My work is sold through art galleries and gift shops. I rarely do consignment and I rarely do art shows. My main focus is on wholesaling. My wholesale web site is www.oneillglassart.com

I have a presence on eBay where I have a store: www.thatsallglass.com
In my eBay store, I sell work not available in stores anymore, artists studies, and work that I prefer not to wholesale. I also sell glass working supplies and fired components.

What am I going to talk about?

The purpose of my blog is to provide information about what’s going on in my studio.

It is for my clients, my fellow glass artists and entrepreneurs, and for anyone interested into what I am doing.
All my posts are organized in categories, so that it is easy for each of you to find what you are looking for.

Some things that you will find in my blog on a regular basis:

• experience sharing about the life of a glass artist and a small business owner,
• experience sharing about the life of an eBay seller,
• new work,
• upcoming events,
• how to’s videos,
• reviews of tools and softwares I find useful.
• and much more…

Some things that you will find occasionally in my blog:

• photos and videos of places I like.

Some things that you will never find in my blog:

• rants about my broken washer, dryer, fridge, car.. you name it,
• my trip to the vet with the dog,
• what’s for dinner,
• photos of my husband on the beach.

These past 8 years have been a bumpy road, but as they say… getting there is only half the fun.

Those pages are going to be updated several times a week, so I invite you to visit often. I do welcome appropriate comments and questions and also answer to all emails.

Thanks for stopping by!!