Opening the kiln is like unwrapping a gift

We love letting our readers know about amazing Perth artists. Here, Tina from Serendipity by Design introduces herself and tells us the meaning behind the business name.

My name is Tina Coppola and I would like to welcome you to Serendipity by Design. The name “Serendipity” comes from my curious love for the word Serendipity – definition being “unexpected and delightful discoveries”. Serendipity seemed to embrace many aspects of myself and my creativity. Firstly, being my initial encounter with fused glass, which was to enhance 3 dimensional art that I was working on at the time. This then opened the door to making exquisite glass jewellery and further fuelled the fire for the sheer passion and obsession that I now hold for glass and the amazing things I can manipulate glass to do. Never did I envisage that I would one day be where I am today. 

Secondly, the way I seem to work holds true to the definition of serendipity – as more often than not, I start to create a piece with a design in mind – however, throughout the process of designing and creating, somehow the finished piece results in being quite different to the initial outline in my mind (more often than not for the better – hence y decision for Serendipity by Design as a business name). Quite often I say to family and friends that “opening my kiln is like once again being a child opening presents on Christmas day” – sometimes you have an idea of what surprises are in store and other times you are blown away by what lays before you. 

I have now been working with the glass medium for approximately four and a half years – spending 40-60 hours per week on average in my home studio either researching or designing or creating. I have attended numerous intensive workshops to further both my technical and creative knowledge of both art glass and dichroic glass so as to further enhance my ever growing curiosity and hunger to learn all I can about this amazing medium. These workshops include fusing and slumping (working with warm glass), cold working, dichroic glass and art glass jewellery making and design, glass casting, creative mold making, imagery in glass and chemical reactions and boiling glass. 

I spend my days (and quite a few of my nights – some into the wee hours of a new day) working in my studio creating jewellery, fused glass and slumped plates, clocks and glass wall art, some of which is combined with metal and copper. Basically, if it can be created in glass, then my aim is to create it – with perfection. 

I am blessed with a wonderful husband, Domenic, who helps me in every aspect of my life, whether it is with our 3 gorgeous children (Jasmine 17, Shenae 15 and Jacob 12) or in the studio with me. There has been many a time that we have been standing at the sink washing and reassembling glass at one in the morning so that the kiln can be switched on, before collapsing in a state of exhaustion into bed. The late nights and early mornings are all well worth it as it is such a pleasure to watch the expression on someone’s face as they view my creations, small or large and to receive the many compliments regarding my work. 

2011 brings with it high expectations as I am contemplating an exhibition in mid 2012. I am currently underway with designing and creating with this vision in mind. I am also undertaking several more workshops throughout the year under the tutelage of interstate and international glass artists which is always very exciting. 

My jewellery creations can be viewed online at www.dichroicglassdesigns.com   or for further information regarding larger works of art I can be contacted by emailing serendipitybydesign@iinet.net.au