Barbara Trower

I am the eldest of three, and the only girl. Born in the Appalachian foothills of Eastern Kentucky, I loved to make things and to learn. Very curious I was. Yoda speak is new, I apologize. Over the years those traits of curiosity and involvement have served me well. They took me from Kentucky to Atlanta Georgia to Washington DC and to Marylands Eastern Shore where I have lived for almost 35 years.

Retirement from a logistics career which was both budget and schedule driven, gave me time to explore other creative ventures. Time and opportunity came together while snowbirding in Bradenton, Florida. In 2013 classes at the Manatee Art Center led me to simply fall in love with Metalsmithing. There is sheer joy in hammering, forming, sawing, filing, and even soldering.

Being a snowbird one can only take classes that are available and which fill quickly in the winter in Florida. As I was happily continuing my studies in Metalsmithing, class availability in that area was getting thin at the same time as classes in jewelry making using glass fusing were becoming available. I discovered the unique flow of glass. Metalsmithing and creating by fusing glass together, they are my obsession. My studies in each field continue.

I adore glass. I love making and decorating plates, bowls, platters and objects to enjoy. At the same time there is so much to enjoy in a unique bracelet, cuff, pendant, ring or chain. Some of my jewelry include glass, or gems, or stones. Others do not. Each piece be it glass or metal is a joy to create. I hope you enjoy them too.