There is something special about life on an island
time slows down, ideas have space, and creativity flourishes
The Colorful Journey of Alison Thibault and WindHorse Arts
Hi, I’m Alison, and from my studio on Penobscot Homelands in beautiful Penobscot’s Bay, I create colorful handmade fused glass jewelry that sparks joy in customers worldwide.
As a small, independent business based on unceded Wabanaki land, now known as Vinalhaven Island in Maine, everything you see here is a reflection of me—every email, every order, and every piece of jewelry.
Since launching in 2000, I’ve personally crafted each piece by hand, using colored glass, a glass cutter, and a 1500-degree kiln. The result? Vibrant, light-catching pieces that bring a burst of color to my studio and to you. Inspired by the island’s stunning sea, stone, forest, and sky, my amazing family of jewelry lovers, and the music and stories that fill my creative space, my work is a deeply personal expression of everything I value.
It all started with a lost earring. I wanted to make a match, so I learned to fuse glass. What began as a search for meaningful work has grown into something truly special. When people started asking to buy the jewelry right off me, I knew I was onto something. Today, through a blend of art, craft, and imagination, I continue to grow, bringing light and color to customers near and far.
When you reach out, I’m the one responding. When you place an order, I’m the one carefully wrapping it and sending it off with care. I wear a lot of hats, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The best part? Getting to know and connect with wonderful people like you. Every step of the process—from my website and social media to the jewelry itself—is all part of my creative journey, and I’m so grateful to have you as part of it.
Peace, Alison
Interested in seeing the process …
Imagine waking up one day and realizing that the life you’re in - isn’t the life you are supposed to be living…
Watch here for my story about a lost earring:
Why WindHorse?
I was introduced to WindHorse in the early 1990’s when I was reading The Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. He speaks about the journey of the warrior, which is not one of aggression, but of fearlessness and openness. The true warrior embraces basic goodness and carries the energy of WindHorse in their quest for personal transformation and understanding of the world. The warrior is someone who is courageous, compassionate, and aligned with the true nature of reality.
In his teachings, the warrior does not fight in the traditional sense, but confronts fear, confusion, and suffering with wisdom, mindfulness, and compassion. The warrior embodies fearlessness, not in the absence of fear, but in the willingness to face it openly and directly. This fearlessness is what allows the warrior to live with basic goodness — to trust in their inherent worth, and in the inherent goodness of the world.