Seldom Realms Glassworks
My name is Jolene Cooper and I am a glassblower, herbalist, Usui Reiki Master, third generation jewelry designer, and owner of Seldom Realms Glassworks. I have been creating jewelry for over 30 years. I grew up around my grandparents’ rock shop, Lou-Bon Gems & Rocks, where I learned bead stringing, wire wrapping, and the artistry that comes from handcrafting. I have a deep respect for authentic gemstones and crystals, as well as their healing properties, and use them as much as I can in my jewelry creations.
In 2004, I became the manager at Glassworks Gallery in Sperryville, VA and also started my glassblowing apprenticeship with Master Glassblower Eric Kvarnes. I continued to hone my glassblowing skills over the years, creating functional glass art and sculpted glass flowers. In the Summer of 2018, Eric passed away from COPD. His daughter Jenni, her husband Sean, and I worked together to keep the business going. I took over glass production for the gallery until the pandemic in 2020 forced us out of business and Glassworks Gallery had to close.
I worked a variety of jobs from 2020 until 2023, yet I was really missing my time as a glassblower but didn’t know how it could be possible to get back to it. That is, until 2023 when some friends convinced me to write a business plan to start my own little glassblowing studio. I figured out what I needed as a bare minimum – as far as tools, equipment, and supplies – to be able to start making handmade sculpted glass flowers again since they had been my most popular product.
After 8 months of planning, I finished setting up my private small batch glassblowing studio in April 2024 and was able to start making my glass flowers again. I set up my own website, opened an Etsy shop online (seldomrealmsglass.etsy.com) and also sold my flowers in person at various local shows.
I was able to purchase a few more tools to expand my artistic offerings to include small paperweights and small handblown art. On August 1st 2024 , I opened a small gallery space inside The Marketplace to have a more permanent place to display and sell my art.
As my business grows, I look forward to building up my studio more and expanding my creative offerings to the community. I hope you enjoy my creations as much as I love creating them!
~ Jolene
Penumbra Pottery
Rob Eliason, owner of Penumbra Pottery, creates unique handmade stoneware dishes that incorporate designs and textures inspired by the beauty of nature.
River District Potters
Handmade ceramic vases made by Sarah Adams (left & right) and Nancy Nord (middle) displayed with glass flowers.
River District Potters also has a shared pottery studio and gallery showcasing a diverse collection of unique, decorative and functional handcrafted pottery downstairs at The Marketplace.