Today we’d like to introduce you to Janel Foo.
Janel, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design and Merchandising from San Francisco State University. My first jobs were in retail and visual merchandising, then I worked as a wardrobe stylist for several years. When I was working as a wardrobe stylist, I had a rigorous and tiring schedule of early wake-ups and long hours. I worked with the Jonas Brothers, assisting their stylist for over five years and then went on to work on commercials. It was when I began to burn out that I realized it was time for me to follow my own passion. At the time, I was also operating an online boutique with a friend that featured handmade jewelry by independent designers. I became interested in learning the process myself so I enrolled in the jewelry design program at Pasadena City College. It was in one of my courses that I was introduced to stained glass in a studio course. Working with those materials immediately appealed to my artistic sensibilities– the ways I could mix colors + textures of glass and how light dances off its surface.
It was a stained glass commission for a friend’s wedding altar that made me want to continue to improve my stained glass skills so I signed up for classes offered at a local glass shop in Eagle Rock called Stained Glass Supplies which is now in Pasadena. I continued to take classes there until I felt confident and comfortable enough to continue practicing on my own. I practiced the craft for about a year before I started Janel Foo Glassworks in 2015. I was still working as a wardrobe stylist to make ends meet but shortly after I established my stained glass business and I saw interest growing in my work, I decided to take the leap, quit my day job and only focus on my stained glass business.
From then until now, it’s been very hard work and nonstop dedication to the craft but I’ve never looked back and have been lucky enough to be very successful. I also teach classes at the shop where I started!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My biggest struggles has been keeping up with production as a one woman show and finding the balance between work and life.
As many craftspersons would know, it’s very hard to give away any part of your process to another person. Every step in the process is so personal so it was hard for me to let go and delegate any of it to an assistant but I’ve recently learned to let go of some of it and hired an assistant which has helped immensely!
As far as the work/life balance part, I’m still trying to figure that out but I think as an artist, that’s part of the sacrifice. I don’t have weekends or many days off, I just work so I can keep my dream alive.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Janel Foo Glassworks – what should we know?
If my work is considered unique, I’d like to think it’s because of my use of bold colors and different textures of glass in simple geometric forms.
My process of designing pieces is very intuitive. It involves a lot of play with colors and shapes both on paper and with cut glass pieces and arranging them in ways that makes sense to me. In the end, each piece has become very personal.
I am most proud of my “above the fold” 2-page feature in the Los Angeles Times at the end of last year. It was a very surreal thing to see myself covering the weekend edition of the paper on the stands. It was a great close to a hectic year and it has opened so many doors for me.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My family, fiancee and friends’ support has played such an important role in my success. My dad helped me build my studio from scratch and helped me build fixtures for my shows. Before I hired an official assistant, my brother would stay with me at chunks of a time, to help me ship out orders. My mom has also been with me, helping me stay organized, packing up orders and most recently packed up my studio for my move so I could keep working. My fiancee is a professional photographer so he beautifully photographs my pieces for my website and often for my social media. I’ve had friends selflessly help me during busy times along with supporting me by referring people to my work and buying my work.
The support and encouragement of fellow stained glass artists and makers has also been a big part of my success. It’s always good to have people in your support system that can relate to you and who also inspire you and challenge you. Instagram has made it possible for stained glass artists and makers to create such a nice community and network.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.janelfoo.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @janelfooglassworks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janelfooglassworks
Image Credit:
Mathew Scott
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
