I have been an artist all my life. When I was a little girl in Buffalo my grandmother would sign me up for newspaper contests on a regular basis. It seems she somehow knew what I would come to love before anybody else (even me) did.

Of course, she was right.

I spent two years in the College at Charleston for Studio Arts. After which I moved back to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where I had spent several years prior. I got married to my husband in August of 2000, we bought our current home and began a family. Dante was born in September of 2001 and Rylee was born in October of 2004.

That’s when my art changed.


With my family came the vibrancy, color… life, I was missing. Not to mention my biggest helper. Dante is already scoring glass and working the band saw with a craftsman’s touch. I could not do what I do without my family. They are my inspiration (and part time employees).

I work out of a self-contained studio behind our home. It’s there that you will find Rex Baldwin. He’s been with me since day one and is an asset in the day to day running of my studio. I have been working with stained glass (and Rex) since 2003 and taught myself fused glass in March of ’05.

Each piece of art is kiln fused for 12-14 hours. Finishing touches can take up to 4 hours for each piece. My stained glass work is by commission only and, once ready, can take up to an entire day to complete. My work is available for purchase online and at various lowcountry galleries and trade shows.

I love what I do. There’s nothing more I’d rather be doing than being creative and working at home. I am grateful to everyone who has let me become a little piece of their life.

Thank you and best wishes always,

Toni Chirico