Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandi Shrum.
Hi Mandi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, I’m Mandi Shrum and I started working in glass a little over five years ago. My husband and three sons bought me a stained glass kit for Christmas in 2020 during Covid. I had plenty of time at home to get started learning the craft then! I began watching as many online videos and tutorials as I could find and began making small pieces for our home and for friends and family.
My first “commission” came in late 2023. I say that word in quotes for a reason; it was my then 11-year-old son Ben who told me he wanted not only a gift for a special teacher but also a blue dragon for his room. I definitely bit off more than I could chew, with the final dimensions of that dragon project being 22×24 inches. I learned so much from that project though and, although it took me a few months to complete, I felt ready to take on real commissions after that was finished.
I also started attending art, farmers, and holiday markets in 2024. I really love the vibes of our hometown Travelers Rest Farmers Market. It’s one of my favorite places to be on Saturday mornings from May through September!
This year I plan to continue with commission work and to apply to more juried art festivals, including Indie Craft Parade right here in Greenville.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would say the biggest struggle of being a self-taught artist is that you don’t have an instructor at the ready to ask questions about a tricky technique, a supply issue, or tips to navigate the market scene. Luckily I have met so many stained glass artists in the online community, and these are some of the kindest people and are more than willing to share what works for them and what doesn’t.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a self-taught stained glass artist. I started this journey in December of 2020, and in 2024 I began taking commissions and selling my work at local Upstate markets. Most of my work is nature-inspired, and lately I’ve been focusing on birds, including hawks, owls, and songbirds.
My latest bird, a commissioned magpie, is something I am very proud of, as the glass choices for those shimmering magpie feathers really pulled the whole piece together.
I think my glass selection is one thing that does set me apart. I’m always considering the illusion of movement from the colors or textures of the glass, and it’s so important to me to select carefully so that the glass tells as much of the story as I do.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Greenville is such a fun place to live, work, and play! I’d say downtown of course would be my favorite area, but even more specifically the artist district of West Greenville. We have so many creatives here, both in the city of Greenville, but also throughout the county, like in my town of Travelers Rest! First Fridays is one of the best times to get out once a month and visit different galleries and artists’ studios.
I’d say, probably like any small-town girl, that the traffic in certain areas would be my least favorite thing…but that just gives me another reason to get downtown, find a place to park, and get out of the car and walk!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LogansMountainGlassworks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LogansMountain.glassworks
