Local glass artist, Shane Apsey of Silver State Lampworking, always had artistic abilities, but it was the pandemic that helped him turn his passion for art into a successful business. Lampworking is an ancient art that dates back to ancient Egypt and Rome when artisans would melt glass using oil lamps. Today’s lampworking uses torches instead to heat the glass into a molten state, which is then shaped by tools and blowing. He was always interested in glass art so he completed apprenticeships with renowned glass artists in California and Oregon to learn the specialized techniques and skills that he uses today to make an array of beautiful and interesting items for customers, including his signature products, the Mojave Monster and Mojave Martian lines. He uses only American manufactured components for his art, including Pyrex glass which is stronger than foreign made glasses.
When the awful news of an abused puppy, Seven, was reported here in town, Shane decided to jump in and help defray the costs for Seven’s care. He has created a paw print pendant that he’s dedicated to Seven, and will continue to donate the proceeds from sales of the pendant to the Boulder City Animal Shelter. You can purchase the pendant at the shelter, or see Shane during his upcoming appearances at Art in the Park, Best Dam Wine Walks, and the Doodlebug Bazaar. There isn’t a fixed cost, but a minimum donation of $20 is requested. The program is called Paws for Pups and will be an ongoing support project for the local shelter.
Shane told us an amazing story of a 100-year-old customer who purchased a shot glass at one of his shows. The man and a friend had made a pact as 20-somethings to go to Mexico and take a shot of tequila when they turned 100 years old. Unfortunately, the other man had since passed away, but that wasn’t going to stop Shane’s customer from celebrating his hundredth birthday in Mexico with his family and the family of his friend. They will be meeting soon and completing that long-anticipated toast to friendship and longevity using shot glasses created by Shane.
A member of the Boulder City Art Guild, Shane was Artist of the Month in May of this year. He also was named the winner of the Boulder City Hospital art competition last December. His work is featured on his social media accounts like Facebook (HERE), Instagram (HERE), and TikTok (HERE). As mentioned earlier, he will be at Art in the Park (first full weekend in October), Best Dam Wine Walks (second Saturday of the month, September through April), and the Doodlebug Bazaar (first Saturday in December). You can contact him via his website or his social media accounts to arrange purchases and arrange commissions.
Shane also created the Boulder City Glass Pickle and Marble Hunt, a fun local marble and pickle hunt. These popular hunts provide clues for seekers who then search for the hidden item at local parks and businesses. It’s a tradition dating back to the 1880s when Sears created a marketing campaign surrounding an “old German custom” of hiding a glass pickle ornament in a Christmas tree. The first child to spot the pickle ornament received a special gift, as the story goes. Pickle and marble hunts are popular again throughout the United States, thanks to the pandemic. Shane thought it would be a fun activity for families here, so he created a Facebook group and hides the items for others to find.
Shane and his wife, Alli, a nurse, are the parents of three lovely children: Maryjane, Elizabeth, and Colt. The family has three dogs too: Bailey, Barkley, and Boda.
