Back in the year 2004, I found myself deeply involved in the satisfying process of building a remarkably sturdy dresser out of exquisite hard maple, a project that I had taken considerable pride in completing. With great enthusiasm, I eagerly showed my carefully crafted creation to my friend Colleen, who I was dating at the time and who possessed a remarkable and discerning eye for design. As I closely examined the dresser's overall form and construction, I noted that it was noticeably missing some vibrant color that could really elevate it. That’s when I realized that the side panels of the dresser could serve as an ideal place where I could do something truly creative and eye-catching. She excitedly told me about these amazing color combinations that were available in sheet glass, a suggestion that opened my eyes to an entirely new and thrilling creative outlet. In that moment, I was introduced to the fascinating world of art glass, and I felt an undeniable spark of inspiration—the artistic bug bit me hard. I dove into crafting beautiful stained glass vases, functional napkin holders, unique lamp shades, decorative candle holders, attractive coasters, and handy trivets. I was motivated to fill my life, as well as everyone else's around me, with beautiful, colorful, and useful glass objects that could bring joy, vibrancy, and warmth to everyday living. A few years later, I was fortunate enough to have the incredible opportunity to explore creating new styles of glass art using a kiln and a fascinating raw material known as dichroic glass. The excitement and numerous compliments I received from my work led to the eventual and fulfilling start of Mercurio Glass. Oh, and I must admit, I never did get around to finishing that dresser.