About Me
Twice Baked Arts is owned and operated by Amy Poos. My art has always been functional; I tend to create things that can be used. My favorite pieces play on a form, like a bottle shape, to create functional pieces that are also amusing. I also love to discuss food, to cook, and to plan dinner parties, so my design thoughts gravitate towards dishes and housewares.
When I was in college getting a degree in Psychology and English, I thought a logical career choice would somehow follow naturally. But after years of Technical Writing and Software Usability, I found that my evening hours in my craft room—creating greeting cards, painted dishes, candles, knitting, and on and on—were more fulfilling, and I dreamed of expanding them into a business. I jumped at an opportunity in 2002 to start a business with family. My sister and I ran an online scrapbooking kit club for over six years, a very satisfying but a very demanding job where I was able to explore many crafts.
I have always loved colorful glass. I think it started with paperweights. With all the fabulous things in the Art Institute of Chicago, I was drawn over and over to a collection of paperweights in the basement. Here and there, I took a few classes to learn about making glass beads, marbles, and fused glass. In 2006, my wonderful husband surprised me with a fabulous and completely unexpected birthday gift of a kiln, and I was finally able to create fused glass projects whenever I wanted. In 2009 I started Twice Baked Arts: a combination of my love of glass, my need to create, and my belief in recycling, with a nod towards my obsession with food.
My family and friends might think I am a little strange when I show up at their houses with a bin to take their recycling away. But it's fun to see bottles in new shapes, and I get a sense of satisfaction from keeping these items out of the dump.
Since I started working with recycled bottle glass, I have learned many things including: always wear safety glasses, sometimes accidents turn out to be your favorite projects, and my mom eats a lot of applesauce.
I work from my home studio in Edwardsville, IL.
When I was in college getting a degree in Psychology and English, I thought a logical career choice would somehow follow naturally. But after years of Technical Writing and Software Usability, I found that my evening hours in my craft room—creating greeting cards, painted dishes, candles, knitting, and on and on—were more fulfilling, and I dreamed of expanding them into a business. I jumped at an opportunity in 2002 to start a business with family. My sister and I ran an online scrapbooking kit club for over six years, a very satisfying but a very demanding job where I was able to explore many crafts.
I have always loved colorful glass. I think it started with paperweights. With all the fabulous things in the Art Institute of Chicago, I was drawn over and over to a collection of paperweights in the basement. Here and there, I took a few classes to learn about making glass beads, marbles, and fused glass. In 2006, my wonderful husband surprised me with a fabulous and completely unexpected birthday gift of a kiln, and I was finally able to create fused glass projects whenever I wanted. In 2009 I started Twice Baked Arts: a combination of my love of glass, my need to create, and my belief in recycling, with a nod towards my obsession with food.
My family and friends might think I am a little strange when I show up at their houses with a bin to take their recycling away. But it's fun to see bottles in new shapes, and I get a sense of satisfaction from keeping these items out of the dump.
Since I started working with recycled bottle glass, I have learned many things including: always wear safety glasses, sometimes accidents turn out to be your favorite projects, and my mom eats a lot of applesauce.
I work from my home studio in Edwardsville, IL.