Interview 6: Mollie from Spleodar
Today's interview is with Mollie from Spleodar. Mollie hails from Ireland which make me very jealous. She also makes gorgeous things from glass. She's extremely talented!
So, I'll quit my blathering and get on with the interview.
1. Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Mollie and I work with kiln-formed glass from my studio in rural Ireland. I prefer working on large decorative pieces such as wall panels, bowls and sculpture, but times being what they are I find my jewellery sells best. And since jewellery sells best, I find I spend much of my time making it! I suppose since even the earliest people preferred to wear their wealth, it makes sense that when money gets tighter jewellery is the last 'unnecessary' thing to go! And so I try to make every piece of jewellery a piece of art in itself. My latest necklaces came about from making miniature framed wall art. I was sitting in the studio having a cup of tea with someone and to keep my hands busy, I picked up one of the miniatures and absent-mindedly threaded a scrap of silk cord through it. Et Voilà! A brand new range!
2. Why do you do what you do?
I love glass. It's just so...sparkly. Why wouldn't I do what I do?! Besides, what else would I do? I can't draw. My painting is terrible. I abandoned the only scarf I ever tried to knit about 6 rows into it. My singing would burst your eardrums. Believe me, I've tried the alternatives sister, and you wouldn't be interviewing me now if I tried to pursue any of them!
3. How long have you been doing it? (Your craft/trade, not doing IT)
I've only been working in glass for about 11 years, after many years hanging out office cubicles linking paperclips and exfoliating my nose with sticky tape. For the last 5 years, I have been both glassworking and running my bookshop/café. And since the end of January, I've stepped back from the day to day running of the shop so I can create glass full time. And sleep. And goof off online. And watch television. Just as an aside, Glee would be a lot better if they'd just abandon all that singing, stop shoving the moral of the episode in our faces and bring in more Sue Sylvester. I also do a bit of silversmithing, but I usually stick to using silver clay these days. You can do so much more with silver clay and glass than with traditional silvermithing and glass. Lately, I've been getting more into wool felting and incorporating felt into my glass design. I have some exciting ideas for new necklaces. They're going to blow your mind. That's a promise.
4. What food will you absolutely not put in your mouth?
I've been a vegetarian since 1989, so I guess I have to say I won't eat anything with a face. Unless it's a cupcake with squashy icing hair and delicious gumdrop eyes and a sweetie mouth. I also can't abide coleslaw, but that's another story.
5. Would you rather vacation in the mountains or at the beach?
Oh, wash your mouth out! Nature and I don't get on at all. I live in a place abundant with natural beauty, but give me a European city break any day. I can sit quietly and contemplate my oneness with creation any time. What I want to see when I'm vacationing is cultural diversity and plenty of noise! But if you insist on a choice, well...I don't like the mountains because 50% of the time you have to walk uphill and I'm too ginger for a beach holiday. But I guess if it's winter and cloudy and night time and I have plenty of booze, then I'll have to choose beach.
6. How far away from your birthplace do you live now?
I was born in Tallahassee, Florida. It's true. But that was a lifetime ago and I've been in Ireland longer than I was in Florida. I think that's about 4000 miles. Do I get a prize?
7. Have you ever made anything so atrocious it would end up on Regretsy?
Goodness no. But I'd love the exposure, so April...if you're reading this, like...I'm sure I could produce a Regretsy-worthy flounce if it meant you'd notice me. Please notice me. Just once.
You know what I think? I think you should all head over to Mollie's shop, Spleodar, and buy yourself something pretty. Then make sure you let April know that Mollie needs some attention.
Thank you Mollie for the fabulous interview!
Be happy,
Rachel
So, I'll quit my blathering and get on with the interview.
1. Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Mollie and I work with kiln-formed glass from my studio in rural Ireland. I prefer working on large decorative pieces such as wall panels, bowls and sculpture, but times being what they are I find my jewellery sells best. And since jewellery sells best, I find I spend much of my time making it! I suppose since even the earliest people preferred to wear their wealth, it makes sense that when money gets tighter jewellery is the last 'unnecessary' thing to go! And so I try to make every piece of jewellery a piece of art in itself. My latest necklaces came about from making miniature framed wall art. I was sitting in the studio having a cup of tea with someone and to keep my hands busy, I picked up one of the miniatures and absent-mindedly threaded a scrap of silk cord through it. Et Voilà! A brand new range!
 |
| Red Spleodar Glass Necklace |
2. Why do you do what you do?
I love glass. It's just so...sparkly. Why wouldn't I do what I do?! Besides, what else would I do? I can't draw. My painting is terrible. I abandoned the only scarf I ever tried to knit about 6 rows into it. My singing would burst your eardrums. Believe me, I've tried the alternatives sister, and you wouldn't be interviewing me now if I tried to pursue any of them!
 |
| Aurora Borealis Blue and Green Fused Bowl |
3. How long have you been doing it? (Your craft/trade, not doing IT)
I've only been working in glass for about 11 years, after many years hanging out office cubicles linking paperclips and exfoliating my nose with sticky tape. For the last 5 years, I have been both glassworking and running my bookshop/café. And since the end of January, I've stepped back from the day to day running of the shop so I can create glass full time. And sleep. And goof off online. And watch television. Just as an aside, Glee would be a lot better if they'd just abandon all that singing, stop shoving the moral of the episode in our faces and bring in more Sue Sylvester. I also do a bit of silversmithing, but I usually stick to using silver clay these days. You can do so much more with silver clay and glass than with traditional silvermithing and glass. Lately, I've been getting more into wool felting and incorporating felt into my glass design. I have some exciting ideas for new necklaces. They're going to blow your mind. That's a promise.
4. What food will you absolutely not put in your mouth?
I've been a vegetarian since 1989, so I guess I have to say I won't eat anything with a face. Unless it's a cupcake with squashy icing hair and delicious gumdrop eyes and a sweetie mouth. I also can't abide coleslaw, but that's another story.
 |
| Cosmic Flotsam Red Fused Glass Bowl |
Oh, wash your mouth out! Nature and I don't get on at all. I live in a place abundant with natural beauty, but give me a European city break any day. I can sit quietly and contemplate my oneness with creation any time. What I want to see when I'm vacationing is cultural diversity and plenty of noise! But if you insist on a choice, well...I don't like the mountains because 50% of the time you have to walk uphill and I'm too ginger for a beach holiday. But I guess if it's winter and cloudy and night time and I have plenty of booze, then I'll have to choose beach.
6. How far away from your birthplace do you live now?
 |
| Cosmic Currents I Fused Glass Necklace |
7. Have you ever made anything so atrocious it would end up on Regretsy?
Goodness no. But I'd love the exposure, so April...if you're reading this, like...I'm sure I could produce a Regretsy-worthy flounce if it meant you'd notice me. Please notice me. Just once.
You know what I think? I think you should all head over to Mollie's shop, Spleodar, and buy yourself something pretty. Then make sure you let April know that Mollie needs some attention.
Thank you Mollie for the fabulous interview!
Be happy,
Rachel
She's such a breath of fresh air, she is. What was her website address again? I'm going to run, not walk, and buy something from Mollie right now.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou can buy out her entire store at http://www.Spleodar.etsy.com
ReplyDeletehttp://www.spleodar.etsy.com you say? That's so simple and easy to remember! But I may just bookmark it so I can return to it again and again! Thanks, Rachel!
ReplyDelete