Conversations with Chris Nordin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Nordin

Hi Chris, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It started in 1991, when I graduated from the College for Creative Studies with a major in Glass and a minor in metalworking. It was then I decided to work for the family steel business in southwest Detroit while building my own business that would revolve around glassblowing. Shortly thereafter I partnered with fellow artist Michelle Plucinsky to found a company known as Furnace Hot Glass Works. Functional glassware with a 50’s theme and Venetian overtones soon became the signature line. Over the years, the studio evolved into one of Michigans most renowned glass studios, producing work for a worldwide clientele with a focus on highly crafted functional glass, as well as Hospitality sculpture, lighting, Healthcare, and residential installations.

In 2001, I realized that we were making much more than just some of the Midwest’s best custom & production glass. This led the change of the business name to Furnace Design Studio LLC. Opening the door for the scope of what we were created to become much more diverse and specialized in the Healthcare and Hospitality industry. Out growing their space in Detroit in 2002 we purchased their current 15,000 SFT facility in “The little D” Dearborn Michigan just outside of Detroit. This expansion provoked the formation of our second business, the Glass Academy LLC.

Glass Academy was created to give its customers the opportunity to experience the glass and studio up close. Offering product classes and one of a kind signature shows. Designing and taking to production more than 25 signature products we built a following of dedicated customers over the last 15 years that continue to collect, promote and keep the tradition alive.

At the same time in 2002, with the planning of the expansion of the studio, we purchased the glassblowing facility at the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Creating the Royal Glassmakers, allowed us to develope a one of a kind glassblowing theater allowing yet thousands of customers to be educated about the glass arts and their thriving business just 1 hour south of Holly Mi. in the “Little D”.

Fast forward to 2016, looking to expanding the educational shows and experiences to new venues and audiences we partnered with Cedar Fair Corp. to operate the glassblowing facility at Cedar Point, Sandusky Ohio. Glass Academy at Cedar Point LLC. This business offers demonstrations and shows along with production glassblowing.

After 28 years of being a serial entrepreneur, I have chosen to step back from the businesses my partner Michelle & I have created to focus on the artwork that is most satisfying to me. This would be the creation of Chris Nordin Studios. A company and time period that allows him to have a relationship with his clients that is more intimate and personal and that moves at a slightly slower pace. Every custom piece that I create is about my client as much as it is about my experience and skills as a master glassblower and master craftsman. I enjoy expressing my creativity and ideas with Glass, Forged steel and metal fabrication as well as wood.

In 2019 I opened Chris Nordin Studios Gallery in Ann Arbors Kerrytown so I can exhibit my artwork as well as other selected artists that’s work shows well on a visual and conceptual level with my creations.

After this long and enjoyable continuing journey I love that I have chosen to end up in Ann Arbor for people to experience and enjoy my creative process.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s never a smooth road for an entrepreneur. But growing up in an entrepreneurial family always helps the journey. 2008-2010 was a specifically hard time for everyone in the United States. But extra hard for artists that were creating luxury items for people. I remember this time because we didn’t have enough money to heat the building we were in or pay our bills. But what a lesson this was, it taught us how to tighten our belts and wait out the economic storm. We did it and because of this experience we became better business people.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
History, tradition, and technique are the main influence of every piece of work that I do. These three sources are highly integrated together with Italian glass culture.

Not limiting myself to traditional materials, my work continually draws me towards alternative mixed media.
Knowing that the sculptural side of my work is the true challenge to my creative processes, this opens the door to the ever-challenging sport of technical blowing, allowing me to sharpen my skills to a level that satisfies my technical needs.

Technical glassblowing is an endless road, which is why I love using glass as a medium, either as sculpture or sport.

I feel that my abilities to alter and manipulate materials to express myself is my specialty. Not being afraid to push the material to its limits and than bring it back to a place that people who view it fall in love with it.

How do you define success?
Waking up everyday and loving everything you do on your journey through life. Im not a complicated person, so being able to create beautiful things and understanding how to turn them into money is success.

Pricing:

• Always a consultation fee
• Always over deliver
• Never ask for more than your original price
• Do what you say
• Love the price as much as the piece your selling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chrisnordinstudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisnordinstudios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisnordingallery/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-nordin-92745114/