Kolman Artisan Glass

After working for 25 years as a human resources executive, Constance Shattuck Kolman of Ashland left her job to become an interior designer. The Boston Architectural College grad opened Kolman Artisan Glass in 2011, and is known for her glasswork in custom wall panels, screens, furnishings, framed artwork, and stand-alone pieces in residential, hospitality, corporate, and health care settings.

Q. Was it difficult to transition from the corporate world to an artistic one?

A. I like to say it’s in my genes, because I come from a family of artists. When I was an executive, I was a serial house-builder. I’d finish decorating and say, “Time to move!” After the third one, my husband [Ken Kolman] said, “I love you, but you’re going to have to figure out a different way to express yourself.” He’s a saint.

Q. How did studying interior design lead to your patent-pending glass technique?

A. I had a client who wanted a centerpiece for her dining room table — something that was ripply, turquoise, and free-flowing. After looking for months, I saw some turquoise paper that I thought would be perfect if I could just get it on a bowl. I developed the technique in my kitchen, which was a gluey mess for a year, and then started showing pieces of glass to designers. After eight or nine told me I should patent it, I knew I needed to listen.

Q. How do you achieve such unique colors, textures, and patterns on glass?

A. I buy papers from all over the world and apply at least 12 layers on each piece with paints, foils, and resins in abstract patterns. It’s time intensive, but I get a design that no one has seen before. It’s hard to surprise people today, so it’s a lot of fun to hear them say, “How did you do that?”

Q. What has surprised you about running a business?

A.How much I love it. It’s very challenging to introduce a whole new product to the marketplace, but I had a vision and knocked on a lot of doors. Now it’s paying off, and I take a great sense of pride in that.

Kolman Artisan Glass is at 615 Boston Post Road, Suite 210, in Sudbury. Custom sinks are available at Monique’s Bath Showroom in Watertown, and fine art pieces are available at Renjeau Gallery in Natick and the Drawing Room in Marion. Call 978-443-2409 or visit www.kolmanartisanglass.com.