Jessica Schimpf
Mantra Glass Art
Denver, CO USA
"The best experiences I've ever had have been those leaps of faith where I decided, 'Screw it, I'm just gonna go for it."
Career Roadmap
Jessica's work combines: Art, Entrepreneurship, and Being Creative
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Art/Art Studies, General
Maryland Institute College of Art
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Went to school for welding and design, says at the time, welding was "everything" to her.
2.
At age 22, joined the world's biggest welding design studio, where she was the only female.
3.
Realized that she was unhappy making someone else's work, getting sick from welding fumes everyday.
4.
Decided she had to drop everything and start over; moved to Colorado for a while, explored the U.S.
5.
Found glassblowing during her senior year of college and fell in love.
6.
When starting her business, she made it a point to create her own brand as a unique, tattooed female artist, making sustainable glass.
7.
Says she's learned the value of being honest and open; people respond positively when she shows her personality in her work.
8.
Has respect for her craft-glassblowing is a dangerous, and your work can easily shatter, but if you put positive energy into it, it turns out well.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I was on the welding team and we were making really big pieces for Rome, Chicago, etc. I was the only girl basically in the building and it was a real difficult situation. It put a lot of stress on me as far as not making my own work, being the only woman there.