Meet Krista Woodward, Our #ArtGlassFinest of February
Tell us a little bit about yourself: who you are, where you are from, how you got into glass.
My name is Krista Woodward. I am from Vancouver, (New Westminster) Canada.
I got into stained glass in 2005 when my mom decided that she wanted to take a window that she had from her childhood home and put a stained glass design into it. My mom borrowed and bought equipment to make this stained window. She found a pattern and cut and ground all that glass but knew I would be better at foiling and soldering. In the summer when I was home from University I soldered 6 panels for this large window. I thought my mom did such an amazing job for her first time cutting and grinding. At this point we then had all these glass scraps and tools around, so I started to make things as gifts. I started to spend my weekends off from work and training and make some glass designs. I started with little things, and just progressed slowly which I think was important to learn from lots of mistakes. I didn’t start selling my work till 2015 when a friend said I should start an Etsy shop.
How long have you been working with glass in general?
I first learned in 2005, but I didn’t get back into it until 2010 I only worked occasionally with glass because I was working full time for the Government in a Genetics Lab and training for the Javelin. I threw the javelin competing for Canada and went to World Championships in 2013 placing 17th. So, I have been working with glass about 6-7 years now.
What is the focus of your work, any inspiration behind it?
I bought glass back in 2005 that was perfect for a plumeria, but I was very intimidated. It took me many years to finally decide I was going to make it. I started with a pattern I found in a book, but since it was not my design, I did not feel connected to the pattern. I decided it was best that I design my own patterns. I used some photos of plumerias as a reference and then finally completed my first plumeria. I then started to make things that I loved, pineapples, waves, flamingos, whale sharks. When I first started, I would look to see if anything like my designs had been made before. I wanted to make sure to keep my designs fresh and unique!
How long have you used our products, and do you use them exclusively?
I remember the day I heard Spectrum was closing down, I was so disappointed but so glad Oceanside Glass & Tile took over. It was the first glass that I was able to purchase and it was so nice to see colours come back to my stained glass shop! I do not use them exclusively, just based on availability and accessibility.
Is there anything that makes our product stand out from the rest- a reason why you choose to use it? What do you look for in glass when you are sourcing it for your next project? (ie: color, texture, quality etc.)
The quality range of colours and texture of Oceanside is incredible and critical to make art. I think it is so important to have the right shades and Oceanside has so many shades and types of glass to choose from!
If you are teaching a class, what is it about? What will students learn? (If not a class, are you launching anything?)
I have taught a few times with my friend Corrine of Awesome Sauce Designs. She is a wonderful teacher. I don’t give classes myself, but I work with Corrine from time to time, helping her when she needs me. I think it is really important that people take classes from an experienced teacher. I myself am self-taught but spend lots of time bugging my stained glass shop for tips and slowly learned over years.
Do you have any big projects in the works or coming up? Any works you are particularly proud of?
I do not have anything specifically planned out for this year other than designing new pieces and seeing where the ideas take me. I am really proud of my plumerias; they will forever be my favourite. If I had to choose another, I would say a design I made in 2015 of water ripples. I wanted to make something that looked like the water as you look out from the beach. My original design was placed in an old window and I posted a photo on my etsy and Instagram. As soon as I had posted it, a woman inquired about me making a large custom one for her. At that point I had not made anything 36” x 30” so I was pretty scared. I tried to convince her she could take my design to her local shop and get them to make it for her, but she was adamant about me making the piece for her. The house was designed around this window so I was especially proud I accomplished something that was very daunting at first and is now on display in someone home. Risks are terrifying but are necessary in order to help you grow!
Tell us one fun fact about you or your work.
Most of my work is inspired by my love of the ocean and all thing ocean related. My degree is actually in Fisheries and Aquaculture, which I did use for a while working for a Toxicology Lab and Genetics lab. My true passion, though, was creating from the heart and make things that people can cherish and gift, bringing more light into the world, especially in these times. You will find me in the studio working on pines that bring me joy so I can spread joy!
You can find Krista on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilikoiartstudio/