Born in Akron, Ohio, in 1958, glass artist Kathleen Elliot has made California her home for 45 years. With her husband’s encouragement and support, she has discovered and developed her artistic talent while raising their five children.

In the 1980’s, she expressed her creativity as a hair stylist and make-up artist with a cosmetology degree from San Jose City College.

From 1985 to the present, Kathleen has steadily pursued her education in linguistics, philosophy and biology, communication, leadership and management, organizational development, the design of business offers, spirituality and religions, and most recently the Arts. With this educational background, she built a 14-year career in designing and managing adult education programs, organizational development and training for various corporations.

Kathleen’s interest in glass art began in 1996 when a friend introduced her to flameworking. She taught herself the art of beadmaking by studying how artists had made beads in the photos in glass art books and then experimenting.  Kathleen took her first glassblowing workshop in 1996 at San Jose State University, and continued to grow her passion and talent for art glass jewelry.

The first year of the new century was a turning point in Kathleen’s life: she made the choice to pursue her art in earnest, leaving her prior career. She began studying Art at De Anza College and attended Pilchuck Glass School for three summers, studying with Laura Donefer, Robert Mickelsen, and Shane Fero.

In mid-2003, Kathleen shifted from glass beadmaking to botanical sculpture. Since then her work has evolved into two series of botanical sculpture - natural and imaginary - which have gained Kathleen recognition throughout the U.S.