WindHorse Arts is a fused glass jewelry studio on Vinalhaven Island, Maine, where I design and create limited runs of custom-crafted color entirely by hand.
Gilded Moss
Gilded Moss speaks to both a time and a place
It was one of last summer's most-loved Color Drops, disappearing almost as quickly as it arrived, and I have been looking forward to bringing it back. Nearly every morning, after a dip in the Basin with Gigi, we walk home through the Story Trail. The forest floor is carpeted with moss, sunlight filters through the spruce, and the woods seem to glow from within. That quiet walk has become one of my favorite parts of the day, and Gilded Moss is my way of sharing a little of that feeling with you
Enhance your necklace with a stunning silver chain, elevate your jewelry, adding elegance and sophistication that makes it truly stand out.
Enhance your necklace with a sterling silver chain for added elegance, or choose from select silicone cord colors to create a personalized combination that complements the stone.
Whether it’s a simple compliment or a deeper conversation, even the smallest piece can carry connection.
This piece is sold as the glass charm only, designed to slide easily onto your own chain or cord.
The Petite Pendant comes on an 18" black silicone rubber cord with a simple tension clasp, letting the glass feel like it’s floating. If you prefer a different look, you can upgrade to a sterling silver chain for a more classic finish.
The Story of the Color
There are places along the Story Trail where the morning light always seems to linger. The moss climbs over ancient granite, weaving its way around roots and fallen branches until the forest floor becomes a tapestry of greens. Some mornings it leans toward chartreuse, others toward deep olive, and when the sun reaches through the trees, every shade is touched with warm gold. It is never the same twice, and that is exactly what keeps me looking.
Gilded Moss began on those walks. It isn't simply inspired by the color of moss. It is inspired by the way the woods feel after an early morning dip, when the air is cool, the birds are busy, and the light seems to illuminate the landscape from below.
That sense of quiet wonder made Gilded Moss one of my most popular colors last summer. Bringing it back feels a little like returning to a favorite trail. The path is familiar, the beauty is still there, and there is always something new waiting to be discovered if you take the time to look.
About the Jewelry
Each piece in the Gilded Moss collection is handcrafted with fused dichroic glass in my Vinalhaven studio. Layers of luminous green, olive, and warm gold shift with the light, giving every necklace, pair of earrings, and bracelet its own distinct personality.
Gilded Moss is wonderfully versatile. The rich greens feel at home with denim, linen, cream, charcoal, black, and every shade of brown, making it an effortless piece to wear throughout the year. In bright sunlight the glass comes alive with golden flashes, while softer light reveals its quieter woodland tones.
No two pieces are exactly alike, just as no two patches of moss catch the morning light in quite the same way. Each one carries a small reminder of the beauty found on an ordinary walk through the woods, where slowing down is often rewarded with something extraordinary.
Part of the 2026 Color Series
Colors inspired by the changing light on the Maine coast.
Bottlegreen
Abundance
Joy
Blue on Blue
Belfast Blue
Barefoot in Blue
About the Maker
Hi. I’m Alison the artist and maker behind WindHorse Arts, creating fused dichroic glass jewelry on Vinalhaven Island in Penobscot’s Bay, Maine. For over twenty-five years my work has explored the relationship between color, light, and place.
My work begins as flat sheets of dichroic glass that I cut, layer, and fire in a kiln at nearly 1500 degrees. Through multiple firings, the glass transforms into luminous stones that shift and shimmer in the light. I set these elements into clean, wearable forms that allow the color to take center stage.
Living and working on a small island has deeply shaped my palette. My colors are drawn from the landscape around me—Atlantic blues, lichen greens, foggy silvers, spruce shadows, and the clear light of the Maine coast. I release these colors in small, limited runs, each with its own name and story tied to the rhythms of island life.
Over the years the work has found collectors across the country, many of whom return for new colors as they are released.
At the heart of my work is a deep respect for the craft of glass and the power of color. My goal is to create jewelry that is vibrant, enduring, and meant to be worn often—pieces that catch the light and become part of a person’s daily life.
Islandscape Bracelets
These Islandscape Bracelets are a joyful collaboration between painter Elaine Crossman and me, blending her expressive islandscape paintings with my fused dichroic glass. Each piece becomes its own tiny “painting,” alive with color, light, and the spirit of Vinalhaven. Every piece is unique — layered with hues inspired by sea, sky, spruce and stone — and pairs effortlessly with any outfit. Handcrafted on the island, these bracelets bring a touch of Maine’s landscape and light wherever you go.
Summer Dawn is the quiet moment before the island fully wakes.
Lavender haze meets pale seafoam. A blush of rose catches the light. Butter-soft yellow glows underneath like the first line of sun sliding over Penobscot Bay. Each fused dichroic glass stone shifts gently as you move, revealing shimmer, translucence, and layered depth.
There is nothing loud here. Just luminous color, softly unfolding.
Handcrafted on Vinalhaven Island, Maine, this limited edition bracelet brings together pastel pink, lilac, sea glass green, and warm golden undertones in a balanced rhythm of light. The dichroic surface adds a subtle iridescent sheen, echoing early morning sky reflected on tide-wet granite.
It feels hopeful. Fresh. Like a deep breath before the day begins.
Part of my Islandscape collaboration with painter Elaine Crossman.
Radiant and full of warmth, the Marigold bracelet glows with the colors of late-summer light—sun-washed gold, petal orange, soft rose, and a touch of shimmering white. Each fused dichroic glass link captures the essence of a flower-filled garden at its peak—bright, bold, and alive with color. Handcrafted in my island studio, this piece is both cheerful and refined, an easy way to bring a touch of sunlight to your day.
Part of my Islandscape collaboration with painter Elaine Crossman.
This bracelet holds the shifting palette of the Maine shoreline in early light. Soft sea-glass blue, charcoal stone, and silvery white sit beside a flash of mossy green with a golden-dichroic shimmer that catches like sunlight on tidewater.
Each fused dichroic glass stone is individually kiln-worked, creating a rhythm of matte and luminous surfaces. The cooler blues and smoky grays feel like wet granite and ocean fog, while the bright green square adds a spark of reflected sun through spruce.
Connected with sterling silver links and finished with a secure clasp, this piece feels grounded, elemental, and quietly radiant.
A wearable stretch of coastline.
Part of my Islandscape collaboration with painter Elaine Crossman.
Joy
There are times when a color seems to arrive with a purpose, and there are times when it simply arrives with a smile. Joy is one of those colors. Warm orange and shimmering gold come together in a way that feels bright, welcoming, and full of life. It is a reminder that the best parts of summer are often the simplest ones, found in gardens, long evenings, unexpected conversations, and the ordinary moments that somehow become unforgettable.
Enhance your necklace with a sterling silver chain for added elegance, or choose from select silicone cord colors to create a personalized combination that complements the stone.
Whether it’s a simple compliment or a deeper conversation, even the smallest piece can carry connection.
This piece is sold as the glass charm only, designed to slide easily onto your own chain or cord.
Enhance your necklace with a stunning silver chain, elevate your jewelry, adding elegance and sophistication that makes it truly stand out.
The Petite Pendant comes on an 18" black silicone rubber cord with a simple tension clasp, letting the glass feel like it’s floating. If you prefer a different look, you can upgrade to a sterling silver chain for a more classic finish.
The Story of the Color
Some colors take themselves very seriously. Joy most definitely does not.
This is the color that would convince you to linger in the garden long after you meant to come back inside, simply because one more flower has opened or one more tomato has ripened on the vine. It is the color of buying ice cream for no particular reason, swimming even though there are still things on the to-do list, and deciding that whatever was supposed to happen this afternoon can probably wait another half hour. Summer seems to grant us permission to make those choices, and somehow life is richer because of them.
The glass begins with a warm, vibrant orange that catches the light in all the best ways, revealing flashes of gold that shift and shimmer as you move. Like so many of my colors, it refuses to stay exactly the same. One moment it feels bold and energetic, and the next it softens into something warm and welcoming. I love that about glass. It never seems content to stay just one thing, and that's part of its magic.
Perhaps that is why Joy feels like the right name. Not because life is perfect or every day is carefree, but rather because even in the busiest weeks there are moments that invite us to smile. They are found in gardens overflowing with color, conversations that last longer than expected, horses nickering when they hear the back door open, and evenings when the light stretches across the harbor just a little longer than it did the night before. Those moments are easy to overlook, and they quietly become the memories we carry with us.
Joy doesn't ask us to wait until everything is finished before we enjoy it. It simply reminds us to notice the light, say yes to one more swim, and linger in the garden a little longer.
Joy is one of those colors that naturally finds its way into almost any wardrobe. The warm orange is vibrant enough to make a statement, and the golden shimmer keeps it feeling sophisticated rather than bold for the sake of being bold. It pairs beautifully with denim, white linen, soft grays, olive greens, navy blues, and all the earthy colors that seem to make up a summer closet. As the light changes throughout the day, each piece reveals new flashes of gold, making the jewelry feel different from morning to evening.
Each piece is handcrafted one at a time in my Vinalhaven, Maine studio with layers of glass that are cut, assembled, kiln fired, and hand finished. Because every piece is made individually, no two are ever exactly alike. The jewelry you receive will closely resemble the photographs while carrying its own unique pattern of color and light. Like the feeling that inspired its name, Joy is meant to be worn often, shared generously, and to bring a little brightness wherever the day takes you.
About the Jewelry
Part of the 2026 Color Series
Colors inspired by the changing light on the Maine coast.
Ocean Whisper
Bottlegreen
Abundance
Blue on Blue
Belfast Blue
Barefoot in Blue
Color & Community
From my studio on Vinalhaven Island, Maine, I've always believed a small business can be more than a place to make and sell beautiful things. Through special color releases and fundraising partnerships, I've been able to support organizations that strengthen our communities and make a positive difference in people's lives.
Jewelry Hand Crafted with Color and Connection
Ready to add a splash of color to your day? Explore my vibrant collection of handmade jewelry, from sparkly earrings to stunning necklaces and bold bracelets – each piece as unique as you are. Crafted with creativity, color, and a dash of love, my jewelry is designed to make you smile. Let your accessories do the talking – shop now and find your new favorite piece!
Workshops, Craft Fairs and Open Studios
I love meeting people where the work lives. You’ll find me at craft fairs throughout Maine and New England, and here on Vinalhaven for open studios and workshops, sharing conversations about color, light, and the many ways handmade pieces become part of daily life.
Come say hi, ask questions, tell me what catches your eye, and get a feel for the glass. It’s always better in person.
Give the Gift of Color and Craft - Give the Gift of Handcrafted Joy
“WindHorse Arts is one of my favorite places to buy jewelry. The colors are unique and there is something for everyone. I had been looking for a sable brown earrings and this year WindHorse Arts had just the shade I was looking for. While I have never been to the physical store, shopping online is easy and products are sent out with blazing speed. Great for late gift giving! ”
— Heidi S.
“My wife and 3 daughters each have several items of Alison’s handcrafted artistry. As the inventory and designs are always changing there are always new items to add to their collection of jewelry.
— Guy W.
“My daughter loved the birthday gift I ordered from Alison. The earrings were as bright and beautiful as the picture on her website. I highly recommend for affordable, handcrafted gifts from Maine!”
— Lorri B.
“This summer, I was introduced to Alison’s beautiful work. Worn by 2 friends of mine, her necklaces and earrings are inspired by the world around her, designed with an intimate knowledge of her materials, and fabricated seamlessly, no mechanics visible, revealing the spirit pf the piece. Her pieces are aptly named — the names further the magic of each of her creations. The earrings we chose, in the colors of nectar and pewter and ember, are proudly worn by my daughter and me. Worn with pride and gratitude!”
— Susan M.
“I have bought several pairs of earrings from Alison. They are exquisite and are made with a lot of love and care. I have been wearing one pair for approximately 10 years and people still stop me to ask about them, they have not lost their luster. If you’re on the fence, buy her jewelry. You will NOT be disappointed.
_ Danielle M.
Crafting Color, One Piece at a Time
Hi, I’m Alison, the glass-fusing, color-loving creative behind WindHorse Arts! I’m all about making jewelry that feels as fun and vibrant as life itself. Every piece I create contains a pinch of serendipity and a lot of glassy goodness. I love working with glass because it’s dynamic, unpredictable, and full of surprises. Whether I’m popping colors together or experimenting with textures, I’m always aiming to create pieces that bring joy and that little “wow” moment when you wear them. Whether it’s a set of earrings that make you smile or a pendant that catches the light just right, each piece is crafted to bring a little joy and a lot of style into your day (and a little magic, because why not?).
Ready to add a splash of color to your life? Click below to see what’s new and explore the world of WindHorse Arts!
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Piece of WindHorse Arts Jewelry
At WindHorse Arts, I believe jewelry should be as fun and unique as you are! Whether you’re treating yourself or hunting for the perfect gift, here’s your guide to picking out something that’ll make your heart skip a beat (and maybe your friends a little jealous):
Go with Your Color Crush! Can’t decide? Start with your favorite color! Whether you’re obsessed with ocean blue, feeling the greens of a forest walk, or craving a pop of fiery red, let your favorite hue lead the way. You’re drawn to it for a reason, after all!
Occasions Are Great, But So Are Tuesdays
Sure, you might be eyeing something special for a birthday, but don’t forget about just because moments! A piece of jewelry from WindHorse Arts makes every day feel like a celebration. You deserve to sparkle, no matter the occasion.
Be Bold, Be Subtle, Be You!
Are you a “big statement” kind of person or more of a “quiet elegance” type? No worries – we’ve got something for every mood! Whether you’re rocking a chunky necklace or a delicate pair of earrings, there’s a piece that’s totally you.
Mix, Match, and Make It Yours!
Who says you have to pick just one? Stack a few bracelets, layer some necklaces, or go wild with earrings! My pieces play nice together, so feel free to create your own signature style that’s totally unique.
Handmade = Extra Love
Every piece of WindHorse jewelry is lovingly handcrafted, which means no two pieces are exactly alike. You’re not just buying jewelry – you’re getting a little piece of magic, made just for you. Isn’t that fun?
Pick a Piece to Match Your Vibe
Feeling calm and collected? Go for something soft and serene. Feeling bold and ready to take on the world? Find something that’s as vibrant as your energy! Choose jewelry that matches your mood and vibe, and let your accessories tell your story.
Give the Gift of Joy (Or Just Treat Yourself!)
Jewelry is always a great idea for a gift, but let’s be real – it’s also a fantastic way to treat yourself. Share the love (or keep it for yourself)! Either way, WindHorse jewelry is the gift that keeps on giving.
So, what are you waiting for? Let your instincts guide you, and pick out a piece that makes you smile.
After all, life’s too short for boring jewelry!
Do you have a shop focused on the joy of handcraft ~ Are you interested in carrying WindHorse in your shop :
Brighten Your Shop with Handcrafted Glass Jewelry!
Add a splash of color and creativity to your shop with WindHorse Arts' stunning collection of handcrafted glass jewelry. Each piece is a unique work of art, carefully crafted with vibrant hues and organic designs that your customers will love. From delicate earrings to bold necklaces and shimmering bracelets, our jewelry brings an effortlessly stylish touch to any collection. With a focus on quality, color, and craftsmanship, WindHorse Arts offers your shop the chance to showcase one-of-a-kind designs that speak to those who appreciate the beauty of handmade art. Ready to offer something truly special to your customers? Reach out today to learn more about carrying WindHorse Arts in your store!