Glass Artist Julie Rominger of Rekindled Spirit Studios

Julie Rominger launched her own art glass business in 2004, after only one year of fused glass and fine silver classes. The Manassas-based artist was searching for a new career after spending a decade in the online industry as a web developer and project manager. “It was sort of a weird time in my life,” Rominger said. “It was just the start of something new. It was very spiritual to me.”

The glass artist sells her work through gallery, craft shows and private contracting. She is the president of Artisans United in Annandale and the co-director of the non-profit’s Craft Gallery. She is also an active member of the Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild.  “It’s just part of the whole professional game,” she said of staying active in the local arts community. “I love doing craft shows. I do most of my craft shows in the fall, near the holidays.”

Rominger said her art glass has a modern flair to it. “I use a lot of geometric shapes,” she said. “I like to build my pieces so that there is a lot of depth and color. I take great care in finishing my products so that you get the best result possible. This also allows for the maximum amount of light to come into the piece so that the [greatest] amount of sparkle comes out.”

The artist is drawn to the sparkle and shine of the vibrant colors in her pieces. “It’s a great medium to work with because there’s so many things you can do with it,” she said. “I like to go a step further and use other materials within the glass, things that other people might not have discovered yet. I think that leads to some interesting and unique designs in my work.”

Customer Doris Berry loves Rominger’s one-of-a-kind pieces. “I’ve been collecting her pieces for years,” Berry said. “I have different kinds of necklaces, all in very unique shapes and forms – round, hearts, squares – and in different colors for any occasion. They’re just wonderful.”

Berry’s favorite piece is a necklace with a glass oval pendant. “When I have it on, everybody says, ‘Oh my gosh! Where did you get that?’”

Jewelry is just the icing on the cake for Rominger. She also makes bowls, plates, wine stoppers, key chains and barrettes. “My pendants and earrings are certainly the bestsellers, but there are a lot of other things that are creative and interesting,” she said. “I like to have things that are different simply because I don’t want to be a cookie-cutter of everybody else out on the market.”

Rominger is filled with satisfaction when customers are happy with her art glass. “I love to see people’s faces when they look at my work and they’re just amazed at the colors or the depth within the pieces,” she said. “I just know [my pieces] are going to a good home and they’re brightening somebody’s day.”