Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Conklin
Hi Donna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. My grandmother taught me how to sew when I was young and I just continued on taking classes or teaching myself everything I was interested in. Stained glass, bead weaving, woodwork, jewelry making and so many other things. I also have my Associates degree in Graphic Art.
In 2004 I found a stained glass supplier that had workshops in stained glass, fusing and lampworking, I signed up for beginner lampwork beadmaking class. That’s when I found my passion.
Fourteen months later in 2005 I was opening my own lampwork bead supply in Torrance Ca, not far from where I live. It was small, just under 500 sq ft. I started inviting glass artists in to teach and quickly out grew my tiny space and moved to a bigger studio in Redondo Beach and moved again 6 yrs later to Harbor City where I stayed for 3 yrs before I decided I needed to focus on being an artist. I now sell my work online and at shows near my home.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Opening a new business without a bank loan, no retail experience and never having owned a business of any kind was a huge leap. It wasn’t easy and I wondered a lot about why I was doing it. My husband is the only reason I was able to do any of it. A lot of my struggle was not wanting to do the paperwork stuff and just wanting to make art.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a lampwork glass artist. I make glass beads and other things using a torch and glass rods. I don’t think I really specialize in anything but my customers and friends say they know my work when they see it.
I am most proud of being found by Disney Engineering and doing a project with them.
I love doing what I do. Learning new things and don’t quit attitude is what I believe sets me apart.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I don’t really think of myself as a risk taker. As mentioned before, opening a retail business with no experience at all was a huge risk. I’m so glad I did it though. I wouldn’t be where I am right now if I hadn’t.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.primadonnadesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prima_donna_designs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primadonnabeads
Image Credits
Donna Conklin
