Copy of Margaret Millar

My childhood was spent surrounded by cool lakes and rivers, huge expanses of bedrock, dense mixed forests under a big Northern Ontario sky. My family kept gardens, fished, went camping, and we cooked and ate meals together; there was always plenty of space for hard work, creativity and play.

My love of drawing, painting, and music led me to the Ontario College of Art and Design. During that time I began exploring other media like knitting, spinning fibre, and woodwork. I also took a few one-on-one glass blowing classes and could not believe how much I enjoyed working with glass. No matter what the media, I love working with my hands and have always believed in problem solving through design.

I spent many years living and working in Toronto but struggled to find any peace in the city. Looking for a different pace and an easier connection with nature, my husband and I were drawn East.

Just moved, I was looking to get out of the house and wanting to explore glass blowing further. Unable to find a glass blowing class locally, I stumbled onto a flameworking course. I had no idea what it was, but it involved working with glass and I decided to give it a try.

I was hooked. 

A modest set up, some found beach glass and broken bottles got me started. In time, my interest, ability and studio grew. I found myself delving into the history, tradition and techniques of flameworking. I love to experiment with glass and explore its ability to take on any form.

Parents to one little, we live in an 18th century farmhouse in rural Nova Scotia. Our small homestead keeps us busy as we renovate the house and outbuildings and work with the land that provides us food, shelter, creativity, and a place to play.

The more we explore Nova Scotia’s varied land and seascapes, the more time we spend learning and observing the land we tend, the more I am struck by our need to connect and understand nature and the wisdom found within her.

I live much more slowly, quietly and sensitively then I once did and it is my hope that my observations of nature and her cycles are felt in the pieces I make.