TABLE OF CONTENTS
Read the interview with Giggle Glass artist Oakwood Hotworks and learn from his glass blowing experience. Interested in buying a piece from Javier? Learn more about his revolutionary techniques here.
INTRODUCTION
The beauty of glass art lies in its unpredictability—how molten material, color, and flame combine to form something that feels alive. Every artist has their own spark, a moment that pulled them into the craft. For Oakwood Hotworks, that moment happened in the most unlikely of places: a high school jewelry class.
Who are you?
“I first discovered my love for glass back in high school, in a small jewelry class filled with silver scraps and soldering torches. That’s where I learned the basics of silversmithing—and where, tucked away in a dusty corner, sat an old, forgotten glass torch. Curiosity got the best of me, so I ordered a few glass rods and convinced my teacher to help me set up a tiny glass station right there in the classroom.
Once that torch lit up for the first time, something just clicked. A few weeks later, the whole class was hooked—everyone wanted to try their hand at melting glass and shaping it into something new. That moment sparked a lifelong fascination that would eventually grow into Oakwood Hotworks, my home studio dedicated to transforming raw glass into vivid, living art.”
What started as curiosity quickly evolved into something much deeper. The fascination with molten glass became a calling—one that would define Oakwood Hotworks’ path as an independent glass artist.
When did you first get started in this industry?
“I officially started in 2018 making sculptures and pendants every day after work and then in 2020 took the plunge into full-time artwork.”
Like many in the industry, the journey began with small steps and after-hours experimentation. But what started as passion projects eventually transformed into a career centered on handcrafted, expressive art.
What New Innovations Have You Been Working On?
“I’ve been working on honing my implosion pendants and marbles, trying to pack as much detail inside these miniworlds as I can. Lapidary work is coming back soon too!”
Detail and depth define Oakwood’s latest creations. The implosion technique, pulling patterns inward into a glass orb, turns each piece into a tiny universe of color and movement. The return to lapidary work adds another layer of craftsmanship, bridging stone and glass into a shared art form.
How Do You See the Future of This Industry Going, and Do You Have Any Advice for Those Trying to Break Into It?
“Darn I’m not too sure where it’s going right now. Its been a hard couple years but once people can get back freely spending on entertainment vs essentials, then it will turn around. Doesn’t help that I’m mainly jewelry and sculptures. It’s been a back and forth trying to make art and make it affordable enough to keep paying the bills. The best advice I have is to just make art not production, making a product takes away from the original artistic spark. I’m working on getting that back.”
It’s an honest take, balancing creativity with livelihood isn’t easy. For Oakwood, it’s about preserving that original spark, resisting the pressure to mass-produce, and remembering why the torch was lit in the first place.
Any Fun Facts About Your Work Habits or Creative Process?
“My work habits are just laying out my colors and letting the glass guide me. I’d love to say I draw out my plans but it’s just spontaneous art and the more I try to control it the more of a mess I make.”
The spontaneity is part of the magic. For Oakwood Hotworks, creation is about feeling the moment, letting the glass decide, and allowing imperfection to lead to something entirely new.
Conclusion
From a forgotten classroom torch to a home studio full of color and heat, Oakwood Hotworks has carried the same sense of discovery that first sparked a passion years ago. Through the highs and lows, the mission remains the same: make art, not production. Because at the end of the day, that’s where the real fire lives.
