Inspiring Conversations with Dara Alper of Molten Makerspace

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dara Alper.  

Hi Dara, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My story began in 2012 when I fell in love with molten glass. I was a sophomore in high school and was encouraged to take a class at our local community college. When I saw that glassblowing was one of the options, I knew I had to try it! From there, it was game over- I had found my passion. I went on to earn my BFA in glassblowing from Kent State University. Post-graduation, I had many wonderful opportunities to work with glass all over the country and world, including Murano, Italy! Fast forward to 2020… I was an intern at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio and waiting tables for money. When the studio and restaurant both closed, I decided it was time to go to trade school. I had always enjoyed welding. The way the molten metal moved reminded me of glass. Because of this similarity, this was the trade I decided to become certified in. Shortly after the program completion, I was hired as a welder to build glass-blowing equipment for Wet Dog Glass. For nearly two years, I fabricated furnaces, kilns, and more for national and international glassblowing studios. 

My love for welding grew to match my love for glassblowing. However, I missed the creativity and community of being an artist. At the same time, I knew there weren’t any glassblowing studios in the Triad area. 

Teaching is a huge passion of mine. Helping someone develop skills, grow confidence, and embrace their creativity is extremely rewarding! This is why I decided to start Molten Makerspace. Molten Makerspace focuses on education, entertainment, and career development. We teach glassblowing and welding, as well as providing education and resources to allow others to create a career with these skills! 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Deciding to leave the security of a full-time job has been equally terrifying and exciting! My background is in art, not business. Unfortunately, art school does not teach you how to turn your craft into a business. Figuring out the proper way to handle all aspects of a business has a steep learning curve. However, I am grateful for this struggle, as it will allow me to help my students and other artists overcome these same challenges! Another obstacle is resources. Right now, Molten Makerspace is a mobile operation. Our focus is a type of glassblowing called flameworking, which involves using a torch to melt and shape glass. Flameworking can be done virtually anywhere, so I am able to perform demonstrations and teach flameworking and welding classes in the community. Although the versatility and outreach these offers is wonderful and something I will always offer, the ultimate goal is to expand to a hard location! 

Having a hard location means Molten Makerspace can offer all forms of glassblowing, including furnace blowing! It would also mean the ability to have a metal shop, flameworking studio, printing/design/manufacturing lab…and so much more! With a location, we can offer increased access to equipment for students and host events. These are important aspects of developing a strong artist community. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Molten Makerspace?
My work is centered around building an artist community while offering education, entertainment, and career development. Molten Makerspace currently offers classes in flameworking and welding, as well as live flameworking demonstrations and team-building experiences! We are currently a mobile operation, but looking to expand into a hard location. 

Traditionally, makerspaces focus on helping members learn new skills and provide affordable, accessible equipment. While these are certainly a top priority, there are other things that set us apart! We are located in the Triad, where there is currently nowhere else to learn glassblowing. Beyond that, our focus on career development is unique. We offer product development courses that cover design, creation, documentation, and branding. One of our partners, The Other Side, is a platform where our students can monetize their creations. If students need to gain professional experience, there are internship and teaching opportunities available! 

We are hoping to bring a new generation of makers and entrepreneurs to the Triad. 

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
There are SO many free resources to help new businesses get started that have been a huge help to me. There are nonprofits that offer free business advice and guidance. There are many organizations which exist to provide education, mentorship, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs. If you’re looking to learn a new skill, get in contact with your local makerspace! Making these small steps go an enormous way. And finally, please reach out to Molten Makerspace! We are happy to use our resources to help you achieve your dreams. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/moltenmakerspace
• Facebook: facebook.com/people/The-Molten-Makerspace
• Other: linktr.ee/moltenmakerspace

Image Credits
Echard Wheeler