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.
Enhance your necklace with a stunning silver chain, elevate your jewelry, adding elegance and sophistication that makes it truly stand out.
Champagne
Champagne has been part of the WindHorse Arts palette for years, a warm and quietly shimmering mix of gold, silver, and pale amber that changes with every shift of the glass. Traditionally one of my holiday colors, Champagne is stepping into the spotlight a little earlier this year for one final season. It feels just right for this moment between summer and autumn: warm without being fiery, luminous without being flashy, and always just a little celebratory.
ONE FINAL SEASON
I took this photograph on an early fall day, when the grasses had turned gold while the trees were still holding onto green. Looking across the water, I realized I was seeing Champagne everywhere: warm gold, soft silver, touches of amber, all shifting with the light.
It is one of the things I love about working with color. A color can be familiar to me for years, and then one day I walk outside and see it reflected back at me in the landscape.
This is Champagne beyond the holidays: a little quieter, a little warmer, and right at home in the turning of the season.
Enhance your necklace with a stunning silver chain, elevate your jewelry, adding elegance and sophistication that makes it truly stand out.
The Story of the Color
CHAMPAGNE has been part of the WindHorse Arts palette for a very long time. It is one of those colors I have returned to year after year as the holidays approach. Warm gold, silver, pale amber, and the occasional unexpected flash all live together in the glass, changing as the piece moves and never looking quite the same twice. For years, bringing out Champagne has been part of the rhythm of getting ready for the holidays. There are certain colors I automatically begin reaching for as the seasons change, almost without thinking about it. Champagne has been one of them. And perhaps the “without thinking about it” part is exactly why I've decided that this will be its last year as one of my traditional holiday colors.
I've been thinking lately about the difference between continuing something because I still love it and continuing it because I have always done it that way. After more than twenty-five years of working with glass, there are plenty of things I have done simply because they became part of the way I work. Some of those traditions still fit beautifully. Others deserve to be reconsidered every once in a while. That doesn't mean I have stopped loving Champagne. I haven't. It means I want to leave room for the work to change, for new colors to find their way onto my work bench, and for me to follow whatever catches my attention next. Part of being a maker for this long, I think, is knowing when to hold onto something and when to loosen my grip a little.
So rather than waiting until the holidays to bring Champagne out again, I wanted to give it a moment of its own. And the end of September feels like just the right time.
Without really planning it, the colors I've chosen this month have created a small story of their own. September began with the deep, saturated richness of Lasting Light. Then came the brilliant blue of On the Edge of Summer, a color that seemed determined to stretch summer out just a little longer. And now there is Champagne, warm and golden, arriving right at the turn.
This is the part of the year when I am never entirely sure which season I am in. The windows can still be open in the afternoon, and the mornings have begun asking for another layer. There are still things blooming, still vegetables coming out of the garden, still days that feel remarkably like summer. And then a cool evening arrives, or I notice how early the sun is disappearing, and there is no denying where we are headed.
Champagne seems perfectly at home in that in-between place. It doesn't belong entirely to summer, and despite its long history in my holiday collection, it doesn't need December to make sense. Right now, it feels warm rather than festive, golden rather than glittery, a quiet bridge between what we have just had and what comes next.
Soon enough I'll be reaching for the deeper reds, russets, and darker colors that feel unmistakably like autumn. For now, though, I'm giving this longtime favorite a little room of its own.
And since this will be Champagne's final year as a traditional WindHorse Arts holiday color, it seems only appropriate to begin its last season by raising a glass to it.
About the Jewelry
Champagne was made for a little celebration. It has just enough shimmer to feel special, without requiring an actual special occasion. Wear it to the party, to dinner, to a holiday gathering, or simply because an ordinary Tuesday could use a little more sparkle.
There is an easy elegance to Champagne that lets it dress up beautifully without ever feeling too precious. It catches the light as you move, revealing different flashes and reflections along the way. It is festive without being fussy, which makes it just as comfortable at a crowded holiday table as it is out for drinks with a friend.
And really, that is what I love about jewelry. The pieces we wear shouldn't spend most of their lives tucked away in a box waiting for the right invitation. They should come along for the good dinner, the spontaneous gathering, the annual party, the quiet toast at home, and all of those wonderfully ordinary days in between.
Champagne has always had a little bit of that spirit built into it. Perhaps it's the name. Perhaps it's the sparkle. Either way, there is something about putting it on that feels like marking the occasion, even when the occasion is simply that you decided to.
So yes, wear Champagne for the holidays. Wear it when you're dressed up and headed somewhere wonderful. Give it to someone you want to celebrate. And then, when January arrives and the decorations come down, keep wearing it.
Because the holidays may come only once a year, but there is absolutely no reason to ration the sparkle.
Part of the 2026 Color Series
A year in color, inspired by island life, changing seasons, and the world around me.
Island Time
On the Edge of Summer
Kye
Gilded Moss
Holding Summer
Lasting Light
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.
On the Edge of Summer
Summer does not always soften as it comes to an end. Sometimes the light becomes clearer, the blue of the water deepens, and even every silvered ripple seems newly visible. Just when we began looking toward the season ahead, summer asks us to look once more at the beauty in front of us. Perhaps the season has saved something brilliant for the end.
Enhance your necklace with a stunning silver chain, elevate your jewelry, adding elegance and sophistication that makes it truly stand out.
The Story of the Color
There is a particular quality to the September days on Vinalhaven. The great rush of summer has begun to ease, yet the island has not settled into autumn. The roads are quieter, the sunlight arrives at a lower angle, and familiar places seem to come back into focus. Without quite realizing it, we have reached the threshold between two seasons ~ one foot in the abundance of summer and the other poised at the beginning of something new.
And the world has not turned muted yet. The ocean can still be an astonishing blue, especially with the sun catches the shallow water near the shore. Its surface flashes with silver, bright and restless, while beneath it the color becomes richer and deeper. It's easy to think of the end of summer only in the softer shades of drying grasses, faded flowers and the first changing leaves. And sometimes its truest color is blue: clear, luminous, and almost electric.
On the Edge of Summer was named for that moment. Its vivid blue surrounds a bright, silvered center that shifts and sparkles as it moves through the light. It holds the brilliance of the sea and the subtle tension of standing at a threshold, aware that something is ending and something else is about to begin. This is not a color about trying to keep summer from leaving. It is about noticing how fully a season can reveal itself just before it changes.
About the Jewelry
On the edge of summer is at its best when it's allowed to be the color you notice. Where it with a crisp white shirt and denim for an easy, everyday combination, or against black when you want the blue and silver to look especially luminous. These are pieces that can move easily from an afternoon by the water, to dinner, a gallery opening or an evening with friends - bringing the light and color of the sea to even the simplest clothing.
Each piece is handcrafted with fused dichroic glass in my Vinalhaven studio. As with the island itself, the color you see depends a little on the light, the angle, and the moment you happen to catch it.
Part of the 2026 Color Series
Colors inspired by the changing light on the Maine coast.
Kye
Island Time
Holding Summer
Lasting Light
Joy
Gilded Moss
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!
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!