k
ristin
lliot
e
OWNER & COLDWORKER
Kristin has always been a creator. Starting her glass journey in stained glass as a hobby in her teen years, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Concentration in Glass and Minor in Art History from Emporia State University in 2010.
Although she loved glass as a molten material and the team aspect of the hotshop, she soon realized that her skills and mindset were a better fit in the coldshop – fine-tuning and repairing pieces to near perfection.
me
A BIT ABOUT
Following graduation, I left Kansas for Seattle, Washington where I accepted a position with Artist, David Huchthausen. I spent the first eight years of my professional glass career as his Coldworking Assistant and Studio Manager. This is where I fell in love with the meticulous artistry of optical polishing and lamination. Huchthausn’s Studio also thought me the importance of craftsmanship and attention to details, the importance of meeting deadlines, and how to interact with galleries, museums and clients.
In 2016, I was thrilled to join the hot shop team at the world renowned, Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington. It is an honor to still be the sole coldworker there, entrusted with art created by some of the most skilled glassmakers in the world.
The Museum of Glass creates a unique collaboration between the hot shop and the cold shop, making way for an artist's vision to come to life in weeklong residency program. Coldworking is often seen as a solo sport, but the Museum showed me my true passion is the relationship I have with the artists I work with. Having the ability to listen to what people are imagining and using my years of experience to make it happen is the most rewarding part of being a coldworker. This ultimately led me to forming Grit City Coldworks. My goal was to build a professional studio that offered a diverse range of coldworking services. I take great care that artists trust me with their artwork, which is their livelihoods, and it drives me to work harder and in the safest way possible.
kind
WORDS
glass artist
“Kristin Elliot was my coldworker and Shop Manager at Huchthausen Studios for eight years. Kristin is one of the finest and most meticulous coldworkers that I have had the privilege to work with over the past 54 years!! I can recommend her highly without reservation.”
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
professionalism
collaborative thinking
coldworking
repairs
The most important part of my business is providing a professional experience for my clients. I understand the importance of deadlines, communication, and execution. Part of this is to know my limits, whether that is my skills and abilities or time restrictions and scheduling. My goal is always to provide and do what I say I will do. I never want to leave you in a bad position which requires communication to be the upmost important part of our interaction.
Between your visions and me and my knowledge of the material, we can’t lose. Have ideas but don’t know how to move forward? Let’s talk. Consultations are one of the most important parts of my business. If I can’t help, I will do my best to find someone who can or give you my honest professional suggestions on how to move forward.
That’s the easy part, let me take care of it! Have you already made your glass objects and need it coldworked in one way or another? My variety of services include but are not limited to basic punty removal, surfacing, assembling and advanced techniques unique to your project. Grit City Coldworks invests in materials and equipment to provide a dynamic array of services in the industry.
Glass is a temperamental material. Whether not cooperating during the manufacturing process or knocking it off a shelf while cleaning. Glass breaks unfortunately, but I’m here to help! Although I may be unable to make it perfect, I can get it as close to that as possible. The quality of the final product depends completely on the damage that has already occurred, and every repair is unique.
A SENSE OF
community
"After working in the field for over a decade, I realized that my skills and profession allows me to connect with the art community as well as individuals who are not artists. We all have broken glass at some point in our lives, whether it is a drinking glass in the kitchen or a sentimental heirloom of a family member. Accidents happen, and damaging an irreplaceable memory can be a heartbreaking experience. I hope to be able to help with this through my glass repairs service. I can mend objects to the best of my ability and allow for memories to live on. No project is too big or too small for Grit City Coldworks and my goal is to help everyone with my passion for glass."
~ Kristin Elliot ~
Huchthausen Studio
Kristin Elliot and the Museum of Glass Team
I'd love for you to...
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