Hana Hastings, Sand and Fire Works: Using Social Networks to Successfully Market Stained Glass Patterns, Classes and Artwork

Using Etsy for pattern sales, Patreon for teaching classes and Instagram for promoting her artwork, Hana Hastings, Sand and Fire Works, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada, has acquired a substantial following for her offerings in stained glass. Wanting to differentiate herself from the more traditional glass designs and commonly seen pattern work, Hastings brought nature and natural subjects into the homes of her patrons by experimenting with 3D sculpture and unique textures and colors of glass. Mastering her marketing efforts on social media, the artist grew a following significant enough to dedicate full-time hours to her craft and begin teaching her techniques online to other budding glass artists. Says Hastings: "I've only been a full-time glass artist for five months after nearly two decades of being a hobbyist and in business for six years total. In 2026, I hope to focus less on producing work for sale and more on artistic exploration in my chosen semi-sculptural approach to the Tiffany technique. I'm also absolutely fixated on sustainability in glass art and am working towards being a fully no waste studio." Inspired by nature and her "dangerously vast" collection of houseplants, Hastings developed a series of 3D sculptures in rarely seen textures and colors of glass. She made a name for herself via this unusual and modern take on design in the local glass scene as well as the online sphere. Her new work sells out on Instagram in as little as six minutes on release. With over 270K followers on that platform, Hastings is one of the most followed glass crafters of today. Hastings' work is deeply personal, a connection with glass rooted in the artisan legacy of her grandfather and teacher, Seamus. They spent countless hours of her childhood working together, and those moments shaped her love of glass and knowledge of the craft. Two decades later, the artist channels that heritage into her own practice, designing original work and small sculptures inspired by the forms, geometry and textures found in the natural world.