By Peggy Sturdivant

When I first spoke to Marcia Wiley after learning she was going to be featured on the cable program “Handcrafted America” she was en route to Missouri. At least I think it was Missouri because I was coming down with this season’s severely annoying cold and everything got a bit Kleenex-blurred after that. I’ve been trying to catch up with her ever since but it would take years to actually catch up with all of Wiley’s passions and talents.

So I didn’t get a column written before the INSP Network aired Episode #3 on March 8, 2016, featuring Wileyware. But as well as nose breathing again I’m happy that Marcia’s episode will air again on Tuesday, March 22nd at 5:30 p.m. She is also planning to screen the episode for friends and glass camp students at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 1 at Sunset Hill Community Association Clubhouse.

Back in 2012 the Ballard News-Tribune wrote about Marcia Wiley’s alter persona “Miss Direction,” her charming North Ballard studio, distinctive glass jewelry and drinking glasses. The article coined her quirky. She confessed she was initially put off but she increasingly embraces the description. After all the neon sign that belonged to a Thai Restaurant is part of her backyard studio and she has a Magnolia tree named Maggie.

Maybe it was quirkiness that got the attention of the producers of the newly launched “Handcrafted America,” on a family-friendly cable network where you can also watch “The Waltons.” Last June Wiley got a call out of the blue asking to come film her at work on her hand-blown creations. “Through the miracle of the Internet,” she said. The crew spent over 16 hours with her, ultimately featuring her process and products as one of three segments in a half-hour program.

In our first conversation I learned that Wiley was drawn to Seattle from the east coast because of its glass community. After travel Wiley worked in her graduate field of natural resources and water education. She coordinated environmental-education statewide for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. She worked with the late John Beal at Concord Elementary teaching them about his restoration of Hamm Creek to the Duwamish, which got my attention right away because I’m currently involved in efforts to keep the city-owned property that includes Hamm Creek from being sold.

What connects her biology background and her work as an artist is water. She makes vessels from which to drink, with her motto being, “Drink in brilliance, every day.” Intrigued since childhood by marbles she set out to create a glass tumbler that would keep changing colors and forms while drinking. She blows them thickly, explaining, “I’m a breaker of delicate objects.” She has succeeded at creating a functional object, but one that is also a kaleidoscope.

Wiley is delighted that the second airing of her episode will be on the U.N.’s 23rd World Water Day, which is always on the 22nd day of March. World Water Day was conceived as an international observance and opportunity to learn more about water related issues, ‘be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference.’ Marcia Wiley lives by that credo daily. She wants her Wileyware to inspire gratitude for water, the availability and safety of which we’ve taken for granted. She has tumblers that are etched, “Thank you water.” She also makes a “Glass of Comfort” with messages of love, light and healing.

“I want my glasses to help,” Wiley says.

Almost two weeks after our “on the road” conversation I caught up with Wiley, at least physically, as she hosted a ‘seconds’ sale in her backyard studio. The Thai Restaurant sign was lit. The last remaining apple tree of orchards north of NW 80th was starting to bud. I wanted to touch every glass, to pick it up and watch its colors change. I was thirsty so I asked for a glass of water. It was brilliant.

“Handcrafted America” with Marcia Wiley will air on 3.22.16 at 5:30 p.m. PST. http://www.insp.com/blog/wiley/ or wileyware.com for information on glass camps and the 5.1.16 event.