Early influences included Medieval tapestries and then more recently, while in Japan as a guest artist, her smaller creations began to be compared to Japanese netsuke (pronounced nets-ke) - small, carefully carved toggles, usually of wood or ivory, that historically were used to fasten small containers, instead of pockets, to kimonos. The animals used for netsuke typically had some spiritual significance and for Shelley, this fits with how she views her own creatures. She’s presently working on a series of netsuke vessels, combining intricate smaller animals with voluptuous jars.

Shelley is represented in numerous art galleries in the US as well as within collections at the Museum of Northwest Art in Washington and the Toyama City Institute of Glass Arts in Toyama, Japan. In 2009, she had a residency at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington which gave her access to a bounty of materials and a team of artisans who helped her push her work even further while also demonstrating to crowds in the museum’s auditorium.

Click to view:

- Shelley’s website & portfolio - Rik Allen’s “rocket man” portfolio