Each Saturday, we're featuring a different small business owner or content creator! Getting our content, products, and voices out there to the world can be tough, so creating an inclusive and supportive community is incredibly important. As a small business owner myself, lending a helping hand to others is a key part of our business plan - we want to give back to the community that has been so key to our success!
Our tenth installment is with Megan at Megnificent Glass who creates amazing fandom-based apparel and accessories!
Tell the readers a little bit about yourself (anything you're comfortable with, like where you're from)!
My name is Megan and I have lived in Indiana all of my life. I met my husband (we got married in July) in high school and we are now living in Carmel, Indiana while I finish my degree at Butler University and he works. I am studying arts administration and art history, which is mostly a hybrid between the arts, business, and communications. It has been so handy in building my business!
What are your favorite fandoms?
Star Wars is my favorite, but I also love Lord of the Rings, Marvel, DC, Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Game of Thrones, etc. I just love all things nerdy!
When and why did you start your business?
I started my business as a place to sell whatever pieces I created in July of 2020. I had started creating glass work while in quarantine and I wanted to be able to share my creations. I have done glass work since high school; I had a teacher who made stained glass classes and I retook the class many times just so I could learn more about the medium. I took a long break from it as I went to college and came back to it during COVID.
Talk us through a little bit about your creative process and your products.
I create a wide variety of nerdy and custom glass sun catchers. When creating a piece, I almost always start with just an idea of what I would like to make. For example, my Padme piece kept me up many nights with the idea until I finally drew it out. To create my patterns, I draw them all on Procreate because it allows for easy manipulation and change to the design. After I like the design or the custom design gets approved by my client, I print out the pattern and cut it up to use as a stencil where I trace the pieces onto the glass. The glass then must be cut, but it isn't a perfect cut, so it still had to be shaped by my special grinder. Once shaped, the pieces have to be foiled with copper foil, this allows for the solder to stick when I get to that step. Once foiled, I start the soldering process. I use flux for the solder to stick to the copper foil. The solder is part lead, so it has to be melted down by my soldering iron. Once that step is complete, the piece is ready to be polished and finished with patina.
Where do sell your products?
I am currently on Etsy, https://www.etsy.com/shop/megnificentglass/ but I will be moving to a different platform after my best shop drop!
What have been some of the lessons (both good and bad) that you've learned since you started your business?
The most important thing that I have learned is to be kind to yourself and not compare yourself to other creators. Other creators are a resource and a great place to find community. It is definitely easier said than done, but for the most part, other creators are not your competitors!
I've also learned to take time away from my small business. It is definitely hard to separate work and home life when your studio space is in your home, but it is so important to give yourself work hours and a time limit. Sometimes I even have to check out from social media in the evenings, otherwise, I would want to talk and work with people at all times of the day!
What has been your favorite product to create and why?
I could never possibly pick a favorite, though I do love my Padme piece. I love it so much that I made an extra for myself, which I never do!
What is your favorite fandom to work on?
Definitely Star Wars.
What has been the most popular product you've created?
My Ahsoka pieces always get so much love! The one that has sold the most is probably "The Rebel".
What is one product you've created you wish got a little more love?
My stickers! Once they sell out I do new designs so they are always limited edition.
What is your favorite social media platform to use and why?
Instagram is my favorite mostly because I love the Star Wars creators on it! Its often how I find other creators and small businesses.
Where else can we find you on social media?
I am also fairly active on my Facebook and I always suggest people sign up for my newsletter which both can be found at my linktree: https://linktr.ee/megnificentglass
Is there anything else we should know about you or your business?
I love what I do so incredibly much that I have recently resigned from my job so that I can continue to create pieces. I am so excited to be able to put more focus on creating! I am also having a shop update on November 19th at 6pm EST which will include Star Wars pieces, Lord of the Rings pieces, and a couple of Animal Crossing pieces! I'm so excited for it and you won't want to miss out!
