Paying homage to the Old World
I learned how to work with stained glass at the University of San Francisco, where I studied art history. I was learning about gothic churches in a course on medieval architecture when I realized that they also offered a stained glass workshop. It seemed fitting, and I saw it as a lost art so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
I graduated in 2012 and carried on with my life. I took a break from visual art to focus on musical endeavors, even got a “real job” for a while. And then covid hit. I decided to dust off my old stained glass skills because I needed something to do. A friend asked me to make them something, so I did. Someone else asked, and then another.. and then NUMA GLASS was born!
I chose the name NUMA because of my love and fascination for snakes. The Latin word for venom is “venenum.” I like the way the letters N U M look together, and I added the A to give it feminine energy.
I relate to snakes on a personal level, especially by how misunderstood they are. Where others see poison, I see healing; where they see death, I see rebirth. I find them to be alluring and elegant creatures, evoking sexuality in their movements and whispers. I love how strange and terrifying their eating habits are, and also how gentle they can be. I like that I’m a little scared of them, because I love being out of control.
- Claire, Founder and Owner of NUMA GLASS