We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nancy Dillingham Marks. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Nancy, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Some folks came in looking for a custom glass art piece for their newly remodeled garden. I paired them with the artist I knew would be the perfect fit, then stepped back to watch the magic unfold.
Their ideas turned into a sketch that exceeded expectations, with a few extra touches added along the way. Next came the fun of choosing glass colors, and I watched with pride as the design began to take on a life of its own.
The best moment? Receiving a photo of the finished piece, shining in their garden—not just as an artwork, but as a conversation starter and a centerpiece that brought joy beyond what they had imagined. It was a proud reminder that the studio I built is a place where people and beauty come together.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Nancy Dillingham Marks, fused glass artist and founder of Glass Arts Collective. What started as my own love for glass has grown into a space where people can explore, collect, and create. Our marketplace brings together not only my work, but also gallery-level artists whose talent deserves wider recognition.
Just as important are our classes, where anyone—whether a beginner or seasoned creative—can step into the joy of working with glass. Watching ideas take shape in color and light is what makes this place special. At Glass Arts Collective, people leave with more than art—they leave with an experience that stays with them.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I grew up thinking I wasn’t creative—that I didn’t have a “creative bone” in my body. Looking back, I realize part of the problem was comparison. I measured myself against others and assumed creativity meant being able to draw or paint like the “artistic kids.”
As I got older, I began to see that I was actually a strong problem-solver. I had a knack for helping others understand not only what needed to be done, but why it mattered and how to get there. That ability was its own kind of creativity—I just didn’t recognize it at the time.
It took discovering glass art later in life to connect the dots. Creativity isn’t one thing—it’s many things. And now, one of my greatest joys is helping others discover their own creative spark when they step into the studio.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
It’s okay to feel sad or hurt—don’t push those feelings away. But once you’ve felt them, take a step back and look at the situation from another perspective. More often than not, you’ll find a piece of good hidden in the hard parts, and that perspective will carry you forward.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think many “smart people” assume there’s only one right answer—and it’s usually their own. True wisdom comes from realizing that most situations have layers and multiple perspectives. The world rarely fits neatly into one person’s version of “right,” and when we allow space for other viewpoints, the solutions that emerge are often richer and more creative than we imagined.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
I know I’d regret the times I didn’t listen as fully as I should have, or when I could have handled a hard situation with more care. What matters most to me now is not letting those moments pass without reflection. I try to use those lessons every day—to listen better, to respond with kindness, and to make things right whenever I can—so regrets don’t have the final word.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.glassartscollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassartscollective/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancymarks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glassartscollective/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glassartscollective
Image Credits
Barbara (BJ) Fitzgerald
Darlene Heusser
Abby Garner
Patty Heinen
