My name is Allison Luhmann, and I have dedicated the past seventeen years to my art - working in glass, sculpture, and digital media. Over the course of my career, I have not only exhibited and crafted my own work but also taken on commissions, taught artists of all levels, and served on the art management side working as both a program coordinator and gallery manager for a respected art nonprofit. My journey also includes having worked for two leading Minnesota glass studios, where I've crafted bespoke architectural glass and blown glass lighting.

For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of launching my own line of decorative and functional glassware: from vases and serving trays to ornaments and bowls. Every step I have taken, every role I have embraced, has been in preparation for this venture that is deeply personal and incredibly important to me.

In October 2020, my life was turned upside down when I became seriously ill from Long COVID. What followed was a treacherous journey that included: nerve damage throughout my body, nearly required feeding tube placement, struggled with cardiac issues, and suffered from extreme fatigue so overwhelming that I couldn't even sit up. Daily fevers lasted a year and a half. I had repeated emergency room visits and two hospitalizations. Fortunately I am now recovering but the process is slow.

Throughout this ordeal I managed to keep one commission going. Sadly that ended in the fall of 2023 due to budget cuts. Since then, I have had little to no income. My mother, who already works full-time, has shouldered my care. Due to outdated laws I do not qualify for disability benefits simply because of her modest income, which thankfully covers basic care for the both of us. Despite wanting to contribute, I am still not well enough to reliably manage even part-time remote work.

It’s important to me to find a way forward that allows me to be as self-reliant as possible. Creating and launching my own line of glassware isn’t just my lifelong dream—it’s also my best hope for regaining some form of independence and supporting myself as I continue to heal. I am determined to turn this challenging chapter into an opportunity for growth, creativity, and renewed purpose.

I finally felt well enough this past winter to start creating again—though only in a limited way. I designed and crafted a small collection of affordable made-to-order glass ornaments. By sharing a few posts on Facebook, I was able to earn $500. That small but encouraging success allowed me to take real steps toward building my future: I registered my business, worked with a graphic designer to create a logo, and purchased essential supplies.

Since then, I’ve poured my energy into designing new collections and carefully planning the costs of each piece. I’m extremely grateful for each and every ornament sold, but beyond posting pictures of my work online, I’m not sure how to reach a wider audience or grow my business further. More than anything, I want to be able to support myself through my art and share my passion for glass with the world—I just need a little help to get there.

For my business to succeed, I need a much stronger grasp of marketing. That’s why I am seeking donations to enroll in an online marketing class offered by the Pratt School of Design, specifically designed for creative businesses like mine. The program offers guidance to understanding audiences, building my brand, and reaching people creatively. All skills that are crucial for turning my passion into a viable, self-supporting business.

I am confident that my years of experience as an artist, combined with the genuine excitement and support I’ve received from selling my ornaments, have laid a strong foundation. This next step—learning the essentials of marketing for creative entrepreneurs—will give me the practical knowledge and confidence needed to grow my business and become as self-reliant as possible.

With your help, I can invest in myself, build something sustainable, and continue sharing my art with the world in a way that supports my future.

Thank you for reading,

Allison