About Alex Shapiro Design In 1996, I discovered the miracle of working with hot glass. I learned about glassblowing at the Cleveland Institute of Art. When I moved to San Francisco in 1998, I continued to explore glassblowing. I took classes at Public Glass, and ended up teaching beginning glassblowing and serving on the Board of Directors. I was hooked on hot glass, but realized I couldn't blow glass at home. That's when a friend suggested beadmaking. She was right! I took a beginning beadmaking class with Janice Peacock and before leaving the last session, I purchased an introductory kit. Within days, I had a makeshift studio set up in my garage. Further classes with Jim Smircich, Loren Stump, and Akihiro Ohkama helped me to develop my own vocabulary and point of view. From 2001 to 2007 I continued my beadwork while also working full time at various jobs. When I decided to pursue a new career opportunity away from the Bay Area, where I was then living, I needed to put my lampwork on hold. Little did I know it would be three years before getting the chance to return to it.