Local Artist Kathy Childress Guinn Turns Glass Art into a Labor of Love and Healing

In the heart of Laurens County, Kathy Childress Guinn has transformed family legacy and personal loss into stunning glass art pieces that captivate both form and function. With roots steeped in generations of craftsmanship, her journey into fused glass is as inspiring as the intricate works she creates.

A Family Legacy of Craftsmanship

For Kathy, glass art began as a way to connect with her family’s creative spirit. Her grandfather’s woodworking and her father’s knifemaking left a deep impression on her.

“Both my grandfather and father were always—and I mean always—working on something,” she shared. “When my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, he and my dad spent countless hours together in the shop. It gave them something to bond over beyond illness.”

Years later, when her father—whom she affectionately calls Duck—was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a request changed her life. “He asked if I could help him make a set of fused glass eyes for a wooden cane he was crafting. I didn’t know how to fuse glass like that, so I threw myself into the process—reading, watching videos, and experimenting until I got it right.” The cane became a shared source of pride, sparking her passion for glass art. Before he passed last December, her father encouraged her to take the next step: “I think you’re ready now. It’s time to quit playing around with this and do something.”

What started as a tribute to her father and grandfather has since become both a craft and a personal form of healing.

The Artistic Process: Slow, Deliberate, and Meaningful

Fusing glass is a meticulous and multi-step process. “I start with sheets of glass, cutting shapes or grinding pieces into a powder form called frit,” Kathy explained. One of her notable pieces—a wolf design—involved four firings over several days.

“First, I cut a clear glass base, stacked white glass on top, and used colored frit for the background. That initial firing took eight hours. I then created the wolf using a stencil and powder, fired it for definition, cleaned the edges, and fused it onto the background. Each firing—from tack fusing to slumping into a mold—is slow, precise work.”

Each piece Kathy creates carries this careful attention to detail, a process that mirrors her own journey of piecing together broken parts into something whole.

Turning Grief into Beauty

Creating glass art became a way to channel her emotions, particularly after her father’s passing. “When he died, I felt shattered. But in my shop, I realized all the traits I’d tried to change in myself—being detail-oriented, sensitive, a perfectionist—were actually my strengths.”

Glass fusing, she says, mirrors the grieving process. “It involves breaking glass, enduring extreme heat, and emerging stronger and more resilient, with edges softened. Every day I choose to put myself back together, just like the glass.”

From Functional to Inspirational Creations

Kathy’s work ranges from functional art—candle holders, soap dishes, and night lights—to purely decorative pieces. “I lean into functionality during the holidays. I’ve made enough ornaments to decorate a Cracker Barrel Christmas tree,” she laughed. “But I also love recreating a beautiful sunset or a pattern that catches my eye.”

Her most popular pieces include multi-colored candle holders made from hand-cut squares. “No two pieces are ever the same. Variables like shop temperature, shelf placement, and even glass color ensure each creation is unique.”

Exciting New Endeavors

Looking ahead, Kathy is focused on pushing her creative boundaries. She recently co-taught glass fusing classes with stained glass artist Petra Mannings Brooks, an experience she described as “a joy to share with others.”

Currently, she is working on a special project for the Laurens County Museum—a clear glass bowl with edges incorporating the museum’s signature blue, green, and orange hues. “I’m layering cut glass upright, rather than lying flat. If it works, it’ll be a piece like no other. If not,” she joked, “they might get another ornament!”

Where to Find Her Work

Kathy’s creations are available locally at the Artists’ Coop on the Laurens Square and Design by D’s. She also takes custom commissions, noting, “I never promise perfection, but I promise my best effort.”

Her work can also be viewed and purchased online at https://kchildressglass.com/.

While her husband Mark helps manage her website and social media, Kathy remains focused on her craft. “We’re empty nesters now—our daughter’s off living her best college life (Go Paladins!)—so Mark and I have time to support each other’s pursuits.”

Through her glass art, Kathy Childress Guinn has turned memories, grief, and passion into creations that tell a story—one of resilience, beauty, and love.