#FollowAndreaSpencerGlass
Andrea Spencer is an Artist specialising in glass, work that is inspired by nature, drawing on natural forms and structures, to create pieces which correlate with aspects of human nature. Andrea also runs classes, workshops and experiences for all types of people, from the curious creative and the adventurous traveller to the professional looking for a reboot or the student seeking to upskill. Andrea is one of AwakenHubs SheGenerate participants and we spoke to her about her founder journey.
To get us started - how would you describe yourself in 6 words or less?
Glassmaking nature loving North Antrim Coast living artist
What prompted you to start your business?
I started my business because I was no good at working for someone else and also because wanted to share my passion for creativity, allowing people to experience for themselves the magic of glass.
Tell us a little bit more about you?
From an early age I have always been drawn to spending time in the natural world, especially as an immersive experience. Being in the water, standing on the edge of a precipice or being surrounded by nature, steeped in a particular light, as day transitions to dusk, has an effect on me that suffuses into the core of my well being. My location, on the tip of the wild, rugged and rural North Antrim Coast, where I live and work, allows me to feed my habit of collecting and studying aspects of nature and the cycle of life. I live in a rural and remote location on the Antrim Coast with my partner and two cats. I spend a lot of my time in nature and walking the coast line. I have been working with glass for over twenty years and have taught in many craft schools and glass centres in Europe, USA and also nationally. I have only recently opened my studio to visitors, allowing them to experience for themselves the joy of working with glass. I offer a range of classes, workshops and experiences that cater for many different needs, such as the casual visitor, curious creative, ambitious student and the professional wishing to expand their skill set.
Fill us in on your female founder journey.
I went to Edinburgh College of Art to complete a BA (Hons) Architectural glass . After graduating in 1993 I moved to Northern Ireland . It took me a little while to find my feet over here as there wasn't really any opportunities for a recently graduated glass artist or even much of a glass community to speak of. But ten years later in 2003 I got some lucky breaks. I had the opportunity to make a public art commission, which was then supported by an Arts Council of Northern Ireland SIAP award, as well gaining a six week residency at Northlands Creative Glass. These three converging experiences kick started what has become a 20 year career studio practise in glass. In 2007 I was traveling with my partner in the USA and decided to take a workshop in a technique new to me, which was flameworking. I was immediately hooked, captivated by the intensity and focus it required. Manipulating the molten glass in the flame using only your finger tips, the proximity to the material coupled with the solitary activity of flameworking were aspects that appealed to my nature. After that initial experience, I bought my own equipment and I spent the next lot of years travelling mostly to the States to study and work alongside a few world class flameworkers. This had a huge influence on the approach and techniques that I use today and equipped me to also travel and teach what I had learned. . There are very few people working with glass here in Northern Ireland and especially using the technique that I do. I decided that it would be a great idea for me to offer what I have learned and experienced to benefit others. Also that idea of travel being an active experience, made more meaningful by engaging in a creative learning experience was inspiring to me . So when I moved to the incredible and beautiful area of out standing natural beauty aka the North Antrim Coast, I decided to open up my studio and invite people from all walks of life to come and experience glass making from both sides of the work bench.
How did you hear about AwakenHub and what prompted you to apply for SheGenerate?
I heard about the She generate programme through word of mouth, it seemed to come at a good time when I was looking for support and encouragement to take the next steps. I liked the idea of a female space, female role models and female peer support.
What have you gotten out of the SheGenerate process?
I am hoping to gain the courage to take a further step into my business, become more independent and gain more freedom by generating my income solely through my studio and workshops .
What does success look like to you - in 12 months and in 5 years?
In 12 months I would like to have moved away from the part time work that I currently have to do to generate income, have built more work shop space for classes, and begun to sustain a programme that includes a mixture of weekend classes, short experiences, regular weekly evening classes and intensive workshop experiences that are of interest to both locals and international visitors.
As a founder - what are your non-negotiables?
I know for sure that I need to make change happen. If it were easy then everyone would be doing it. I'm inspired and motivated by my husband who has built three different businesses in very different parts of the world from the ground up. Who aged fifty made a huge life change, starting again from scratch in a completely new culture to realise his dream glass blowing studio in a rural remote Ballintoy built on optimism and faith in his own creative ability. My six words to live by should be 'change what you are complaining about'
Instagram @aspencerglass
#FollowAndreaSpencerGlass
