WENDELL — Ina Peebles started as a glass artist. But that identity has since blended with that of a jeweler, almost as if melted inside a kiln at 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Peebles is the owner of Swift River Glass, a handmade jewelry business she operates out of her home on Jennison Road. She started making jewelry about 14 years ago and now specializes in original pendants and earrings, with stud earrings being her best-seller.
Much of Peebles’ jewelry is dichroic, meaning it gives off different colors when viewed from different angles. She began her artistic life with stained glass and evolved to fused glass, using one of two kilns in her basement to blend together pieces of glass to make bowls and plates. She eventually switched to jewelry.
“I couldn’t be happier with how far it’s progressed,” she said recently. “It really is a lot of fun.”
Peebles’ basement also sports other tools of her artistic trade — a Glastar All-Star glass grinder, a Felker tile saw, and a ring saw she uses for rings and anything heart shaped. On one of her work benches, she keeps a toothbrush she uses to dust off her newly crafted pieces.
Peebles also dabbles in metal clay work. She explained metal clay art entails working a pure bronze powder (with a binder mixed in it) into a mold and placing it in a kiln that fires it at 1,650 degrees for about two hours. Peebles said the binder burns off and you are left with solid metal. She crafts her metal clay jewelry, in part, at two work stations in a small room off the house’s kitchen.
Her metal clay work sells mostly at shows and fairs, including the annual Garlic and Arts Festival in Orange. Her glass jewelry is for sale in at least 12 stores in western Massachusetts, including the Wendell Country Store, the New Salem General Store and Shelburne Arts Co-op.
Patti Scutari, owner of the Wendell Country Store, said she has sold Peebles’ products ever since she and her late husband purchased the business and bought some stained glass inventory from the store’s previous owner.
“It’s always sold fantastically,” Scutari said. “People love her jewelry. It’s so unique. She does a beautiful job.”
Scutari said she identifies as an art lover and is proud to sell local works.
“I’m always impressed with her creativity and her talent,” Scutari said of Peebles. “She really stands behind her work. And the price is great for the quality.”
Peebles, who was born in Boston, said she was not an artsy person until she was 19, when she became friendly with a woman who opened her artistic eyes. She has also dabbled in leatherwork, basketweaving and spinning, and used to sew footed pajamas for her five children.
“I’ve always wanted to make new things,” she said. “I like to have an idea in my mind for something different.”
Peebles moved to Wendell 32 years ago and said it is a great place to be an artisan.
“So many people want to buy local,” she said.
She said she is semi-retired, working an average of 25 hours a week. She intermittently operates the Swift River Glass page on Facebook. Her business does not have a website.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 258