When I was a kid, I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to grow up to be a geek or an artist, so I became both.
Technically, I became four people: A technologist, a glassist, a sculptor and a writer (not necessarily in that order).
My gadget addiction began at the age of six, when my dad realized that his daughter’s tiny fingers could hold electronic components for soldering. He invited me to his weekend Heathkit sessions, and I was hooked.
Next thing you know I was making oscilloscopes and lusting after gadgets.
I grew up working three jobs to buy computers and robot parts, reading computer magazines cover to cover for ideas.
Then someone mentioned that people who WRITE for computer magazines get their gadgets free. A thousand resumes (and much begging) later, I got my first job as a tech reporter. A decade of 80-hour workweeks later, I took on the editorship of BYTE Magazine.
I loved the notion of shaping my beloved gadgets with the printed word–my words. Then I discovered that the web could reach billions, not just one or two million and, once again, I was hooked.
These days I work as an information architect and content strategist, figuring out how to deliver the right information in the right place at the right time, so that the right people can make the right choices.
I’m a righteous sod, aren’t I?
I’m still a gadget freak. I’m looking for a place to put my CNC machine, upgrading my 3D printer, learning how to crash my drones more effectively, computerizing my kilns, and–thanks to The Resident Carpenter-Blacksmith–learning to fashion stuff from steel in the forge out back. I sold off my waterjet cutter–it just wasn’t the efficient glass-and-steel-shaping system I’d envisioned, so I’m back to hooking up with local shops for that.
The art side of me tends to technically difficult media, which explains my love of sculpting glass. Figuring out to shape glass without exploding it is one of the most demanding artforms there is, and pate de verre is at once the oldest and most demanding of all.
Naturally, it’s where I live, and I love it. The pate de verre self-portrait on this page is about a decade old, 14×18 inches, and married to a collector in a Philadelphia penthouse (much swankier digs than mine). I both lecture about and teach pate de verre; if you’re interested in either, let me know.
Box, sterling silver
About four years ago I lost the ability to lift heavy glass molds, at least temporarily, and switched to an even more difficult medium: Enameling on precious metal. I’ve got a long way to go to become an expert, but I love it. I pair it with my other tabletop artform, sculpting in metal clay, and yes, I’m planning to return to glass casting (soon).
I started Morganica ‘way back in 1998 to journal my artistic forays. It didn’t become a full-fledged WordPress blog until around 2005, but if you count the private, lost, and weeded-out-because-they’re-embarrassing posts, I’ve written well over 7,000.
Somewhere along the line about 12,000 people started reading it. Given my dayjob, you’d think I’d be all over monetizing Morganica but apparently I’m not that bright.
I still write mostly for me, as a reference. I take no advertising and make no money from this site. If I have an opinion on a product or anything else, it’s from personal, paid-for-it-myself experience.
On the rare chance that someone gives me something to test, I’ll either reject it, or disclose it in every mention; I don’t want to be beholden to anyone. And if you’re thinking about “borrowing” some of these posts, photos, tutorials, etc….please read my thoughts on that first.
I’ve been asked to turn some posts into a book–especially the ones about my accident and subsequent recovery–and maybe someday I’ll do that.
You’re welcome to befriend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter. And if you still can’t get enough (and refuse to seek professional help) please comment on a post, or use the contact form to get in touch.
–Cynthia Morgan