We’re looking forward to introducing you to Molly Jackson. Check out our conversation below.
Molly, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Outside of creating stained glass art, I’d have to say hiking local trails and foraging is when I truly lose track of time and just “be”. It’s peak summer in the Upper Peninsula right now and I like to spend most mornings hiking nearby trails picking wild blueberries, raspberries, and my favorite- thimbleberries. It takes me back to being a kid waiting for the first black raspberries to ripen behind the old barn on the property I grew up on. It’s such a special activity to me, and one of the only times I think I can really shut off my brain from all the day to day stressors- just me and nature for a while.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Molly and I’m the owner/artist of Neighborhood Glassworks, currently located in Marquette, MI. My stained glass journey got its initial start in high school- I had an incredible art teacher that introduced me to the very basics of the process and gifted me some old unused supplies from years past. I made some really terrible stuff back then. I didn’t know what I was doing at all- for example, I tried to use sandpaper taped to a bench to grind down the edges of each freshly cut piece of glass. Yes, there was blood. No, it didn’t work. Over the years I improved my skills and gained knowledge primarily through trial and error (LOTS of error), as well as from invaluable tips and tricks from local shop owners. I’ve been creating modern and nature inspired stained glass art as a business since 2018, and am looking forward to many more years of creation!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Probably the part of me that is constantly worried about living up to others’ expectations. I’ve achieved some goals that I’m proud of that likely got their push because of this trait, but it’s an unsustainable, or I guess not always super satisfying, way to live. Stepping away from that is a never ending work in progress for me, but it’s something I’m actively trying to combat so I can exist more authentically and quiet some of the noise.
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What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
It has to be my relationship with my mom. She’s more or less haunted me my whole life, anxiously in life and peacefully after death- grappling with the chaotic phases of our ever changing relationship and the fear of getting THAT phone call until it finally came. My mom had struggles with alcoholism my entire life, and it just made life hard. She was hands down my best friend as a kid, probably because she kind of was a kid herself. By the time I could more or less think for myself, a lot changed between us that I won’t delve into. She could be really, really mean. But when she was good, man she was good. She was so silly, and caring, and the best listener. Anyway, she passed away five years ago after battling lung cancer. I think the moment I got the call I could finally let go of all of that fear and that weight, and I could finally forgive her for everything. Like really, really forgive her, and see her without the anger bias. I mean, I still cry and wish I could talk to her about anything and everything, but I do feel healed. It’s helped me view everyone with a little more grace, and to try to give myself a little more grace, too. We’re all just trying our best, and that looks different for everyone.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Sometimes? If you meet me publicly in person, I think you’d more often than not get a pretty authentic version of me. A little all over the place for sure. Online, I’m a lot more reserved. I struggle with keeping up with ever changing platforms, and don’t really enjoy using social media like I used to. I mostly hop on, make a post, and hop off. As an introvert, being perceived as a person is scary and makes me feel really vulnerable, and I definitely hide behind my art too much. I’ve been trying to get back to engaging more meaningfully, but it’s a work in progress. I think this interview might be a step in the right direction.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
Outside, alone, eyes closed, laying on the ground, listening to nature. Nothing compares.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://neighborhoodglassworks.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neighborhoodglassworks/
Image Credits
Neighborhood Glassworks
