Meet Mary Sherwood | Glass Artist and Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Sherwood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Being able to take risks is the only way to grow a business. By opening a small interior design studio in a small rural NC town I took my first risk. That was just one of many over the years. By risk taking the business grew and expanded its space about every five years. Each involved a leap of faith and a financial investment. It’s difficult to take risks that have potential financial consequences. But by not stepping out of your “comfort zone” your business can not survive.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am currently a warm glass artist but have a very varied creative career which spans from painting and decorating my room at 10 years old to starting my glass journey in my sixties.

There have been many stops along the way. From an early attraction to decorating, to college for a Master in Nursing, to interior design school, to owning an interior design business for 28 years in rural NC, and now pursuing my love to create with glass art in the desert of AZ.

Enthusiasm and drive have gotten me through each aspect of my creative journey. By always thinking positively about each segment of the process I was able to continue to grow. It was not always easy. With little business acumen, it was a major learning curve. I always focused on the process of accomplishing the task and making projects come together. Focusing on the financial aspects of running a business was much more difficult.

One of the most important things that have set us apart is our customer relations. I always have treated my clients like I would like to be treated. To me, the customer comes first! Creating pleasing interior design spaces involves getting to know the client’s likes and lifestyle. Today, as I create custom art glasswork, the same principles apply. Deliver the best product or service and the money will follow.

Having used glass art accessories in most of my interior design projects I am now excited to produce colorful, abstract glass art for interior and exterior use. One of my favorite sayings is “Life is too short to live without Color”. To see the smiles and expressions of customers when they view the glass art makes me beam! From shopping for glass art accessories to creating them is an incredible experience!

Having the confidence to take risks, try new techniques, and explore different paths has allowed us to grow and flourish.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I am fairly new to Arizona I am still learning the “best” attractions. Here are some of my favorites: Hiking in Catalina State Parking, visiting the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, touring the gardens of Tohono Chul and the Tucson Botanical Gardens, discovering the rich local art galleries and taking in the vibe of downtown. For a day trip, I would suggest Tubac with its varied shopping and eating experiences. Tucson is known as the City of Gastronomy. Need I say more? There are so many wonderful places to dine from small cantinas to fine restaurants. Don’t miss the best Mexican food ever. My favorites are varied and include The Teaspoon, for breakfast or brunch, Travolino’s for wood-fired pizza, El Charro for authentic Mexican cuisine, Wild Garlic for fine dining, and Frost for the best gelato.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Many people have helped me along this creative journey. The key person is my husband, Paul Sherwood. He has been behind me since the beginning when I left my nursing career to start my interior design business. Through many business growth spurts, he was always there. He encouraged this creative mind to focus on the business as well as the design aspects of running a company. He later left his career to become our financial advisor which helped our business grow. It has truly been a team effort.

Developing lasting relationships with former employees, colleagues and artists have strengthened me personally and professionally. I never expected to be so involved in the arts as I am today with the support from all those individuals I met along the way. As I pursue the world of glass art I am thankful for all those who offered encouragement.

Website: https://www.marysherwood.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marysherwoodartglass

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marypsherwood/

Image Credits
CASSY ROWLAND PHOTOGRAPHY