When we first started talking about Texas Glass Girls, we weren’t thinking about teaching.
We were thinking about glass.
About how much we loved it.
About how much there was to learn.
About how sometimes it felt magical… and sometimes it felt overwhelming.
We started TXGG because we wanted a place to talk about that part, the real part. The experimenting. The figuring it out. The “why won’t this behave the way I thought it would?” moments.
There was no five-year strategy.
No “teach at a major expo” vision board.
There was just:
Glass.
Curiosity.
We created Texas Glass Girls because we love talking about the process, the experiments, the tiny wins, the projects that go sideways, and the ones that surprise us. We talk about process and how we would optimize …just about every aspect of what we do.
Teaching at Glass Craft & Bead Expo wasn’t on the original list.
And yet… here we are.
This year will be our first time attending GCBE.
And our first time teaching.
Which feels equal parts exciting and slightly surreal.
How These Classes Happened
Truthfully, both classes started as us trying to solve our own problems.
The Creative Hustle
At some point, being a glass artist started to feel like it came with a second job description:
Photographer.
Content creator.
Social media strategist.
Brand manager.
Post more.
Be consistent.
Pick your platforms.
Don’t disappear.
It’s a lot.
The Creative Hustle grew out of us saying,
“There has to be a way to do this that doesn’t feel exhausting.”
We wanted to:
- Share our work without living on our phones
- Capture what we were already doing instead of creating extra tasks
- Build something steady instead of frantic
And maybe most importantly, normalize the idea that done is great, even if it’s not perfect.
Because perfection is usually what keeps artists from sharing in the first place.
This class isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about building a rhythm that feels like you. Something sustainable. Something that lets your art stay the main character.
From Flame to Fame
This class took us longer to shape.
Not because branding doesn’t matter.
But because the word “brand” can feel… heavy.
It can sound corporate. Polished. Like something that doesn’t quite belong in a messy, creative studio.
We went back and forth on this one.
Do glass artists really need this?
Are we overcomplicating it?
Is this even something we want to talk about?
But the more conversations we had, the more we realized something important:
Artists aren’t struggling with branding.
They’re struggling with clarity.
How do you describe your art?
What do you choose to show vs what you don’t?
From Flame to Fame isn’t about turning anyone into a marketing expert.
It’s about helping artists feel comfortable explaining their work, sharing their story, and showing up in a way that feels aligned, not forced.
That shift helped us.
What We’re Really Hoping For
We’re not hoping people leave thinking they need to do more.
We’re hoping they leave thinking:
“Oh. I can do this in a way that actually fits my life.”
Less pressure.
More direction.
A clearer sense of what matters and what doesn’t.
And maybe even:
“I’m not alone in this.”
“I can ask for help.”
“I found my people.”
If someone walks out feeling lighter, more confident, and more connected, that’s a win.
Why GCBE Feels Like a Big Moment
We’ve talked about going to Glass Craft & Bead Expo from for years.
We honestly didn’t see this coming. I didn’t even think teaching there was something we’d be doing, and yet here we are.
Sometimes you follow the “why not?” instinct and see where it leads.
To now be stepping into that space, not just as attendees, but as instructors, feels like one of those milestones you don’t see coming.
We’re excited.
We’re a little nervous.
We’re double-checking our notes.
Mostly, we’re grateful.
Looking forward to the conversations.
To the ideas that will spark in the room.
To being surrounded by artists who care enough to keep learning.
Glass Craft & Bead Expo is built around growth, experimentation, and community — and that’s exactly the kind of space we want to be part of.
Teaching at GCBE 2026
We’ll be teaching:
The Creative Hustle – Finding Your Flow (and Your Audience)
From Flame to Fame – Building Your Glass Art Brand
Both sessions are practical, approachable, and built specifically for glass artists, not generic advice pulled from somewhere else.
This is our first time teaching at GCBE.
And we’re genuinely looking forward to being in the room with you.
Texas Glass Girls is still evolving. Still experimenting. Still figuring things out.
But this next chapter?
We’re very excited about it.
– Texas Glass Girls