Gini Cooper

Although Gini Cooper has always been a crafter, her artistic journey started in 2001 when she was awarded a scholarship to take a bead making class at OxBow (the Art Institute of Chicago’s summer school in Saugatuck).  At the end of the week, she purchased her first torch and was on her way to making her own glass beads.

A year later, when she discovered Precious Metal Clay, she realized that it would be fun to combine beautiful silver pieces with her glass beads.  Upon acquiring her first kiln for firing PMC, it dawned on her that she could also use it to fuse glass.  As a wise sage once said, “one thing leads to another,” and, Gini adds, “…to another…and another.”

Over the past 15 years, Gini has taught glass bead making, Precious Metal Clay silver and beginning fused glass at various arts centers across Michigan.  When Gini is not in her glass studio, she can be found in the garden or at the beach, looking for driftwood.  Gini lives in Saugatuck Township with her musician husband, Jim Cooper,