Meet Chandler Boone of BoonieSwag Glass

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandler Boone.

Chandler, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In the summer of 2016, I started blowing glass in Medford, Oregon (@ The Dojo Glass Studio). I was introduced to the craft by Margot Day, a great friend and inspiration. After moving back home to Kansas, I found my place in a new studio (Illuminated Glass | Lawrence, KS). This studio housed 15+ other glass artists, many of whom became great mentors and friends. I continued to blow glass in Lawrence while attending nursing school. Once I graduated with my Associate’s degree in Nursing, in 2017, I moved to Denver, Co. I have since been working in a small garage studio with Andrew Mitchell (@mitchellglass). I am currently continuing my education in Nursing by pursuing my Bachelor’s degree while working as a full-time nurse & part-time glassblower.

Glass has been a great source of creativity and wonders for me. I could not be more grateful to those that intercepted me and helped me grow along the way!: <3 Margot Day, Erin Berg, Amani Summerday, BirdDogg, Sarita, FionaPhoenixFire, TurtleTimeGlass, Ben Kappen, Merritt Badge, SpunChun & so many more!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has not been an easy one! To get started, it cost quite a bit of money to begin/continue glassblowing. You have to buy a torch, tools, raw glass, gas tanks, gas lines, kiln, ventilation system, etc. I was lucky enough to have amazing, giving, and loving mentors, who helped me anytime they could.

To afford my hobby, I worked a full-time job while going to school. This left little-to-no time for glasswork. Any free hour I had, I spent in the studio learning from others, and practice, practice, practice.

Now that I’ve begun my career in Nursing, I use glasswork as a form of creative meditation to destress and relax.

Maintaining a consistently creative mindset is difficult, but pretty necessary to be a successful glassblower. I have found that when in a creative rut, breaking out of my normal routine helps to get the creative juices flowing again. To do this, I love taking trips to the mountains, traveling, & taking dance classes!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I named my glass business BoonieSwag, after my first ever Snapchat username in middle school XD

I specialize in cremation encasement & hollow work. I enjoy making chillums, spoons, rings, pendants, bubble caps, dildos, and ben wa (yoni egg). I am known for my dot-stack flowers and eye-catching colorways. I am most proud of this company because I worked so hard & persevered to get to where I am today. I am so thankful for the means to glasswork, as it teaches great discipline & focus, and gives me a creative outlet to express myself.

Each piece is made with love & a little of boonie’s swag!

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was very outgoing and dramatic. Because of this, my parents introduced me to dance class at a very early age. Here is where my creative journey began. I fell in love with dance and continued for 15 years. I participated in dance and cheer throughout high school.

After high school, I quit dancing to focus on college and work. Without dance, I had lost my creative outlet and didn’t realize how much that affected me until I found glasswork. Once I was introduced to the glass world, I knew that I’d be free to unleash the creative beast that had been dormant for a few years.

Pricing:

• Rings – $15+
• Pendant – $30+
• Ben Wa (Yoni Egg) – $40+
• Bubble Cap – $50+
• Chillum – $65+
• Spoon – $75+
• Dildo – $100+
• Cremation Encasement $150+

Image Credit:
Katherine Ledbetter – very first picture

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver 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.