Meet Danielle Wheeler

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Wheeler.

Hi Danielle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Last year, my dad, who lives on the East Coast, came out to Denver to visit. He was recently interested in learning stained glass, and his birthday had just passed, so to celebrate, my sister and I took him to a stained glass class to learn. I fell in love with it instantly.

Ever since that single class, I dove head-first into creating stained glass. I invested in all the tools to work on my glass at home, and I have spent almost every day after my full-time job working on something glass-related.

It was only recently, back in March, that I decided I wanted to do more with glass, and I decided to open an Etsy shop selling stained glass jewelry. It has taken off more than I ever could have imagined or hoped for!

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve had almost every single piece of equipment break down so far. It has been trial and error (and lots of YouTube videos) to help me learn. I’ve also suffered from imposter syndrome, feeling like I don’t deserve the success I have had so far.

I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in making stained glass jewelry, particularly earrings, although I also make larger pieces, such as suncatchers. I am most proud of being able to make a product that can catch people’s attention and truly show off the beautiful pieces of glass that I work with. I aim to make minimalistic pieces that let the colors shine through.

When I’m not using colored glass, I like to use nature and real pressed flowers and leaves in my work as well. The story behind my name is a reminder that things must be nurtured and cared for to grow, and I see that reminder with plants and flowers. So, I like to use those in my art as well.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I started my business years after the pandemic, so thankfully, I did not have to navigate that.

Pricing:

• Pressed flower earrings – $25
• Stained glass earrings – $17

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/cultivatedglassworks/?etsrc=sdt
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultivatedglassworks/?img_index=1