Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Nordin
Hi Jacob, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi!! I’m Jacob Nordin, a second-generation glassblower at the Glass Academy in Dearborn, Michigan. Our family-owned business has been a cornerstone of the local art community since its establishment in 2004.
The roots of the Glass Academy trace back to 1991 when my parents, Michelle Plucinsky and Chris Nordin, founded Furnace Design Studio. Specializing in fine art sculptures and installations, they soon recognized a growing public interest in the art of glassblowing. This realization led them to create the Glass Academy, a 14,000-square-foot studio dedicated to educating and engaging the community in the glass arts. 
Growing up, I was surrounded by the vibrant energy of the studio. From a young age, I was captivated by the transformative process of turning molten glass into intricate art pieces. This early exposure ignited my passion and set me on a path to continue our family’s legacy.
In 2020, during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, my parents and I collaborated on a series of glass sculptures inspired by the virus’s structure. These pieces were not only artistic expressions but also philanthropic efforts, with a portion of the proceeds supporting local small businesses and nonprofits affected by the pandemic. 
Our commitment to community engagement has always been a driving force at the Glass Academy. We host annual events like the Glass Pumpkin Fest, which celebrated its 16th year in October 2024. This festival showcases a diverse collection of handcrafted glass pumpkins, attracting visitors from all over to experience the artistry firsthand. 
In December 2024, we proudly presented our 21st Annual Winter Holiday Fest Show & Sale. This event featured a curated selection of holiday-themed glass art, providing unique gift options and celebrating the season’s spirit through our craft. 
To reach a broader audience and share the mesmerizing process of glassblowing, we began live-streaming our demonstrations. Our weekly show, “The Gathering Point,” airs every Tuesday from 6-8 PM EST on Facebook and YouTube. These sessions offer viewers an up-close look at our techniques and creations, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art form.
Our next journey which will be my own personal project within the studio is the addition of our beverage counter and event space, where we will begin to serve coffees and cocktails in our handmade drink-ware. Focusing in even more on our mission to create the most educational, entertaining and one of a kind community space around! The grand opening of the bar is scheduled to happen early May 2025!
As we move forward, we’re excited to continue innovating and expanding our offerings at the Glass Academy. Whether through hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, or our unique glass art pieces, we remain dedicated to sharing our passion and enriching the cultural fabric of our community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running a family-owned business like the Glass Academy has been both rewarding and challenging. One of the primary struggles we’ve faced is balancing family dynamics with business operations. Working closely with family members requires clear communication and defined roles to prevent personal relationships from affecting professional decisions.
Another significant challenge has been navigating the financial pressures inherent in a small business. Ensuring consistent cash flow while investing in new equipment, maintaining our studio, and supporting our team demands careful financial planning and sometimes difficult choices.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented obstacles. With in-person events and classes halted, furnaces burning at 2100 degrees that can’t be turned off, we had to adapt quickly to sustain our business. We transitioned to virtual platforms, offering live-streamed demonstrations and online sales. This shift required us to learn new technologies and marketing strategies rapidly, all while managing the uncertainty of the times.
Continual learning and growing is a must and I’m reminded of this everyday! A beautiful challenge…
All around I think the most difficult moments for me stem from the social relationships and culture within a small business. We sell a luxury product, we reward and lift up our team members for their abilities in the craft and so do our customers. Maintaining a balance of team-work and respect while taming ego within our staff with varying levels of talent has always proven difficult. Artwork can’t be made and community can’t be built off of bad culture. I am continually finessing the energy of the team, managing this has brought me to some very difficult decisions. Knowing where we want to be, and who aligns with our goals needs to be top of mind. We have an art studio to create art… When all the challenges of business and employees steps in front of our main goal, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds and forget the path ahead.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider my work revealing itself in many ways:
The Glass Academy:
From my perspective, cultivating and maintaining the business model of our business takes arguably more creativity that the artwork itself. I take pride in my team, our studio’s culture, and the community we have built around our craft. We bring Education, entertainment and beauty to peoples lives in a time I believe all three are more important that ever.
Product Design:
I strive to design and produce glass items the will live on multiple generations. These items need to have a story, be technically superior and be beautiful. Every product we produce has gone through rigorous designing and are continually being judged for improvement. Items like our glass Slug for example: They were born through everyone’s sluggish Covid couch sitting days. A technically challenging to product to make, we intentionally use Italian techniques citing our history of glass art and where our American techniques came from. They are all one of a kind, beautiful and designed to make you smile. Please watch and read more about their story on our website! : https://www.glassacademy.com/products/slugs?_pos=68&_sid=0a0cf3ad8&_ss=r
Personal Projects:
On top of the business I make a personal line of work, which I will be releasing at a show in my father’s gallery in Ann Arbor, MI “Chris Nordin Studios” mid September.
Bonsai Trees and Glass Geode Crystal’s are my two top of the list items. Images and stories regarding the design and creation of these works of art are soon to come through the Glass Academy and my personal art page on Instagram: @jnglasswork
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Lead with passion, stay true to your goals, and surround yourself with people who align with your values and goals of success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://glassacademy.com
- Instagram: @jnglasswork
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlassAcademy
- Youtube: @glassblowing
