ARTIST BIO:
Renee Wiggins grew up in a creative family, and was always encouraged as a child to daydream, explore and create with her hands. Originally from a small town near Des Moines Iowa, her family moved to Tucson Arizona in the mid 1980’s, where she currently resides. It was the creative art programs in her high school years that first set her on her path to becoming the artist she is today; introducing her to the art of metalsmithing and jewelry making throughout those four years, then continuing into college. By chance, she took a glass lampworking session at a local craft school in 1993, and found working with glass had a profound effect, and spoke to her design aesthetic. She instantly became enamored with the creative possibilities. Her career path however, changed from a jewelry focus, to a photographic one, where she studied and worked in the photographic field for 12 years. Glass didn't stray too far during this time, and was always considered her other creative outlet.
In 2006, Renee committed to focus more on glasswork; expanding her glass techniques and come back to her lampworking and jewelry making roots. Renee soon opened her own online specialty lampworking supply shop; JetAge Studio. Today, she continues to offer innovative tools and supplies to the lampworking community. She regularly sells her glass beads and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces in various venues and galleries. She also writes articles for different magazines, and her glasswork has been published by several glass publications. She has participated in many invitational & group gallery shows throughout the Southwest in both her photographic and glassworking careers, and continues to evolve as a full time glass working and jewelry artist.
Renee is a member of ISGB, the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, a former member of TAG; Tucson Artists Group, had been a flameworking instructor for several years at Sonoran Glass School in Tucson, AZ, and formerly the Glass Bead Artist Program Manager at Beads of Courage headquarters. She also co-owns a guitar pickup building specialty shop with her husband, William, at Wiggins Brand Pickups.
SHOWS, PUBLICATIONS AND EXHIBITS |
2019 |
• Winter 2019 Issue - The Flow Magazine: 15th Annual Gallery of Women in Glass
• Winter 2019 Issue - Soda Lime Times: Retortoli (Zanfirico) Tutorial, Made with Lumiere Lusters™
• Fall 2019 Glass Line Magazine - Working with Lumiere Luster™ Flakes
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2016 |
• ISGB Glass Bead Evolution, Volume 4, Issue 2 - Glass Review author: "I can see clearly now! AKA, The choice is clear!". A review of Double Helix Glassworks and Effetre clear glasses.
• ISGB Glass Bead Evolution Vol. 4 Spring Issue 1 - Featured cover art (changeable ring cabochons) & featured Artist article- interview by Janice Peacock.
• Soda Lime Times Magazine - March 2016 Issue - Featured Artist & instructional article "Making and Using Murrini".
• Bead Artist Hall of Fame Inductee Feb. 2016 - Beads of Courage |
2015 |
• International Society of Glass Beadmakers Glass Bead Evolution - Vol. 3 Winter Issue No. 4, "Glass Review" author, and featured Encore murrini artist. |
2014 |
• Jan/Feb 2014 Issue - Glass Art Magazine Featured Artist & Article: "Taking Ownership of a Business through Strategic Use of Social Networking", Hot Glass Studio Profile-Renee Wiggins - by Colleen Bryan |
2013 |
• Winter 2013 Issue - The Flow Magazine: 9th Annual Gallery of Women in Glass • Small Works Invitational Exhibition - October 25, 2013 - December 15, 2013, Tohono Chul Park Gallery • Artworks in Glass - March 29, 2013 – June 23, 2013, Tohono Chul Park Gallery
• Soda Lime Times Magazine - February 2013 Issue - Featured Artist & instructional article "Making Chocolate Beads" • Exhibitor at The Tucson Bead Show, Doubletree Hotel - February 9-11, #G156 in the Grand Ballroom |
2012 |
• Sonoran Glass School Themed Annual Gala Auction - "Desserts & Drinks", Nov. 2012 • Sonoran Glass School - Cinco de Mayo Festival - live glass working event and art beer stine collaboration. • Soda Lime Times Magazine - "Spooky, Scary & Fantastical Beads" - October Issue - Featured Artist & product review article.
• Soda Lime Times Magazine- "The Freedom of Going Organic" - June Issue - Featured Artist
• Soda Lime Times Magazine- "Changeable Tapestry Tops" - March Issue - Featured Tutorial
• Exhibitor at The Tucson Bead Show, Doubletree Hotel - February 4-6, #G157 in the Grand Ballroom |
2011 |
• Glass Line Magazine - Volume 25, Winter Issue Dec. 2011/Jan. 2012 - Pomegranate Bell Ornament Tutorial with Alexandra Berger. • Tohono Chul Park Gallery, Tucson AZ - Dia de los Muertos Bi-Annual Group Exhibition. Renee Wiggins & Sharon Elliott (Sharon Kay Design)- view the beaded exhibition piece, and William A. Wiggins paintings featured in the show. • The Flow Art Glass Magazine - "7th Annual Gallery of Women in Glass-A showcase of the work of 152 female artists." - Winter Issue ; showcasing two fused glass sculptures. |
2010 |
• Tohono Chul Park Gallery, Tucson AZ - Holiday Nights in the Park Invitational |
2009 |
• ArtsEye Gallery, Tucson AZ - "Winter Solstice" Group Exhibition • The Flow Art Glass Magazine - "Thinking Outside the Box" article, Summer Issue. Thinking Outside the Box - Featuring work by Renee Wiggins, and William Wiggins III |
2008 |
• Dada Contemporary Gallery, Tucson AZ - "Bi Joux" Invitational Group Show • Studio 455, Tucson AZ - "reFORM" Invitational Group Show • Rocket Gallery, Tucson AZ - "Arriving" TAG Group Show |
2007 |
• TAG "Holiday Artist Studio Show" - Tucson AZ |
2006 |
• Graficas Gallery, Tucson AZ - TAG Group Show |
2005 |
• Gallery 58, Northampton UK - TAG/NAG Group Exchange Show |
2003-1999 |
• Hotshoe Salon, Tucson AZ - Annual Invitational Show |
SHIPPING INFORMATION, PAYMENT AND RETURN POLICIES
Thank you for visiting Renee Wiggins Design. I hope you enjoy my ever changing one-of-a-kind glasswork designs and unique line of jewelry. Many of my glass beads and items are created much like other media artists create work; they are as individual as the creative process is, and because they are handmade, no two glass pieces are alike.
Payment:
I offer a convenient PayPal shopping cart on this site, but if you don't have a PayPal account, that's ok, PayPal works with you! Payments are made securely through PayPal using your preferred method of payment, weather it's your credit card, debit card, or checking account or PayPal balance. At this time, I only use PayPal to process payments.
Refunds and Exchanges:
I want to make sure my designs meet your expectations. Please contact me if for any reason you're not satisfied with your purchase. I can offer a refund or comparable exchange (if available), minus any shipping costs on items that have not been damaged or worn. Requests for refunds, etc. will be honored within 15 days of receipt of your package. Because the nature of my work is custom, many of my designs are available only as a one-of-a-kind piece. Please understand I may not be able to offer a similar item in an exchange, or be able to provide the same colors in the future.
Shipping Policy:
All domestic US and international orders feature the convenience of a trackable number on every package, and are always packed with the utmost care. Pricing subject to current USPS.com shipping costs at time of purchase. Shipping prices are calculated by cost and weight of your order.
Your package will be shipped within 3 business days via USPS, unless item is a made-to-order piece, at which time the estimated turnaround time will be discussed with the buyer. Time of delivery varies per region. My studio is located in Southwest Arizona, and applicable state tax is added to your order if you are a customer within the state of Arizona.
International Shipping Information:
I welcome and ship orders internationally! USPS First Class International is the preferred method of shipping, which usually offers the fastest delivery time, and most orders arrive within 10 days depending on your location.
*** Please note; depending on value of your purchase, shipping may be upgraded to include insurance, and may ship via USPS International Express shipping, or USPS Priority shipping, and may or may not require a signature upon arrival. If you would like a quote prior to purchase, or have any questions at all, please CONTACT me. At this time, I do not ship via alternative couriers/methods unless you have your own shipping account, such as FedEx or UPS. Your preferred courier/method must have tracking options.
Please contact me if you have any questions about shipping or availability of my work.
Glass objects & original jewelry can be found at these retail locations:
And these online venues: Facebook Selling Groups: |
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