Hand-Blown Joy—Maria Struk on Winning Etsy’s Holiday Design Award

Vancouver glassblower Maria Struk has just been named Etsy’s Holidays & Celebrations Category winner for her Glass Blown Rainbow Sprinkle Ornament. In our quick Q&A, Maria walks us through the fiery, colorful process behind each one-of-a-kind bauble—how childhood memories and a love of color fuel her craft, why she refuses to use molds, and what it feels like to be handpicked by Molly Baz and Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson. —Noa Nichol

Your Rainbow Sprinkle ornaments feel like tiny worlds of joy—walk us through the moment of inspiration and the tactile decisions you make—how do you know when a piece is truly “finished”?

The Rainbow Sprinkle ornaments started from a really playful moment in the studio. I was experimenting with bits of colorful frit, and when I rolled them onto the hot glass, it reminded me of sprinkles or confetti just pure joy. From then on, I wanted to capture that feeling in a little glass bubble. When I’m blowing, I pay attention to how the glass moves, how the colors melt together, how the light passes through. There’s always a point where it suddenly feels alive, where the shape and color just click. That’s when I stop. If I keep going, I risk losing that spark. So “finished” to me isn’t perfect it’s when the ornament feels full of life.

You blow these ornaments freehand—no molds—what’s the most important technique you’ve mastered to get those crisp, playful spots and perfect translucence every time?

Working freehand means every piece is a little different, and that’s part of the charm. The biggest thing I’ve learned is how to control the heat and timing. The glass has to be just the right temperature when I roll it in the color frit too hot and the colors smear, too cool and they won’t stick. I also focus on the rhythm of my breathing. Instead of one big puff, I give gentle, even breaths so the glass expands smoothly. It’s a bit like working with a living thing you have to move with it, not against it. That’s what keeps the spots crisp and the glass nice and clear.

Color is clearly central to your work—how do you choose and mix pigments for a new piece, and are there surprising materials or hidden tricks you use to keep the hues vibrant after firing?

Color is the heart of what I do. I’m inspired by bright, happy things candy, confetti, flowers, sunsets. I mix a lot of my own color combinations by layering different frits and testing how they react to heat. Glass color can be unpredictable some shades, like pinks and purples, can burn out if you’re not careful. To keep them bright, I usually layer those colors underneath stronger ones or clear glass, which protects them. The real “trick” is just knowing the glass understanding how it behaves at different temperatures. Every color has its own personality, and you learn to work with it instead of forcing it.

As an Etsy success story and now an award winner, what does “handmade luxury” mean to you—how do you balance scale, price, and preserving that one-of-a-kind quality customers love?

To me, handmade luxury is about honesty. You can see and feel that a person made this with their own hands. Each piece is a little different, and that’s what makes it special.

As my studio has grown, I’ve tried to keep that feeling even while making larger batches. I’ll do collections where the colors or themes connect, but no two pieces are ever identical. I think people appreciate that they’re buying something made with care, not something mass-produced. Luxury doesn’t have to mean fancy it can just mean made with love and intention.

For makers trying glassblowing or holiday ornament-making for the first time—what’s one practical tip you’d share, and do you have a simple recipe or demo idea they could try at home safely?

Glassblowing is amazing, but it’s also very hot and technical, so my advice is to start by exploring color and light in safer ways. You can get clear glass baubles and fill them with little bits of paper, paint, or colored sand to create your own sprinkle effect at home. It’s a fun, easy way to play with layering and color. If you get the chance to try real glassblowing in a studio, don’t worry about making something perfect. Focus on feeling the heat, the breath, and how the glass moves. Every glass artist starts with a wobbly bubble that’s where the magic begins.