About Graphite
The name Graphite Glassworks came to Ellie while trying to figure out how to represent their work in their name. While Ellie loves drafting complex and precise geometric patterns using pencil, paper, and a good old-fashioned protractor, they also love incorporating natural geological materials such as agate slices into their pieces. Between their penchant for pencil drawings and their background in geology, Graphite felt like the best word to describe the combined elements of their work. In both stained and fused glass, Ellie approaches the natural and the fantastical with an equal dose of whimsy and meticulousness.
About Ellie
Ellie Durham-Britton is a queer, non-binary nerd (they/she) living in the Rust Belt. They received their bachelor’s degrees in English and Archaeology at the University of Pittsburgh, focusing on poetry and geoarchaeology. A former science writer and current freelance copyeditor for various publishers on the East Coast, they began pursuing glass art during the pandemic and proceeded to hyperfixate on it for the next few years until finally deciding to go into business for themself. Though they no longer formally study geology or archaeology, they still take tremendous joy in looking at and learning about plants, animals, and rocks, and as such they have covered themself in colorful tattoos of said plants and animals and rocks. They live in Pittsburgh, PA with their husband Matt and four cats: Desi, Ophelia, Plata, and Plomo.