07/11/2025
Focusing on 💫growth💫 this beautiful afternoon. Let’s settle in for an essay post. I had this post planned for today anyway but then realized that this is the exact date I created this “business page” 4 years ago! Happy Anniversary to BopBop’s Glass Shoppe!
I had absolutely zero idea what I was doing when this all began. It was covid-era. I was home from work, extremely depressed, sitting in bed playing Animal Crossing 24/7. My sweet partner knew I was interested in stained glass and bought me a beginner kit and a book to try to get me out of bed and moving.
I broke out the kit, read a single book, and went to town.
No classes.
No video tutorials.
No mentors.
No glass artists or friends to get advice from.
No glass supply shop.
No temperature-controlled soldering iron.
No black or silver backed foil.
No knowledge of jump rings.
No appropriate chain.
No appropriate cleaner.
No drawing experience.
No way to digitally create patterns.
Yet… I posted my first piece and y’all hyped me up so much. I was so proud of that disaster. Some of you immediately started messaging me about commissions. I should have politely declined and focused on actually learning things. But the delusion took over and I excitedly started selling pieces. And y’all were incredible customers- spending your hard earned money on my “art”.
Fast forward 4 years and I am looking back in absolute horror at the things I made you pay for. It makes me feel like I used to be a con artist, honestly.
But this summer, I’m posted up at NELA Pride. This sweet woman runs up to my booth to exclaim how excited she is that I’m there because she bought Ponyo from me. I’m thinking, “Ponyo??? I made a Ponyo for someone?”. And then I remember. 2021 Ponyo. She said the chain broke and was wondering if I’d be able to fix it.
I said, “ABSOLUTELY NOT. I refuse to touch that thing. I am going to remake it for you now that I know what I’m doing.” And that’s what I did last week. We decided on a different pose but same concept.
This time I was able to make a much better pattern.
I have more accurate glass colors.
I know how to make jump rings.
I know what chain to use.
I know that I needed to stretch the lead came.
I have a good soldering iron.
I have glass paint and glue for smaller details.
I even have a ring saw for these fun cuts.
Ponyo is a goofy looking character but holy cow, that 2021 piece is rouuuuugh.
Anyway, here’s a new, improved Ponyo. If you’re one of my early customers with a terrifying or falling apart piece, please hit me up and let me make you some actual art!
