Susan Ford Robertson, Mississippi glass artist since 1974, has achieved worldwide recognition for her work. Susan was introduced to glassblowing while pursuing an accounting degree at the Mississippi University for Women. She continued her glass studies at Penland School in North Carolina.

After her studies at Penland, Susan held artist-in-residence positions at Henry S. Jacobs Camp, Utica, Mississippi; the Mississippi Crafts Center in Ridgeland, Mississippi; and Leroy Percy State Park in Hollandale, Mississippi. In 1984, Susan purchased an old warehouse in the Millsaps Arts District (Jackson, Mississippi) and opened Susan Ford Studio. She continued to blow glass there.

Susan’s blown glass has been collected by the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson, Mississippi, the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Fine Arts Museum of the South in Mobile, Alabama. Her work is also in many private collections, as well as, the cities of Baton Rouge and Shreveport, Louisiana; Memphis, Tennessee and Beaumont, Texas. The State of Mississippi has given Susan’s glass to dignitaries such as the president of the United States, the president of France, the king of Spain; as well as, government officials of South America and Japan.

June 2005, Susan’s career took an alternate direction when she moved to Columbia, South Carolina. The move was prompted by a work opportunity for her husband, David. Susan decided to try a new venue – making glass beads on a torch, also known as lampworking. Lots of beads rapidly translated into designing and crafting exquisite jewelry.

Susan says, “Blowing glass and making glass beads are two different crafts; but both have hot, molten glass in common – my passion!” Color is also a common thread between Susan’s blown glass and her glass art jewelry. Today, Susan is working up to being as busy as her days in Mississippi – designing, crafting, exhibiting and selling at shows in the Columbia area.