Elaine Hyde is an internationally known glass artist. She began her career in 1969 at The Brooks Institute of Fine Arts in California. After graduating with a BFA in 1972 she worked and trained at the Pilchuck Glass Center under the direction of Dale Chihuly. At the time, the now-famous school was in the second year of operation. In 1974 she opened her beach side studio in Santa Barbara. One of the very few women working in the male-dominated field of blown glass, she has attained a reputation for her exquisite perfume bottles and signature silver lustre glassware. The current focus of Elaine’s work is to combine blown glass vessels with precious metals and gemstones. The glass base is made first then the tops are cast and fabricated to complement the piece and achieve a total sculptural design. The glass is blown, and sometimes iridized with an acid solution to create an opalescent sheen. All of the metal is sterling silver and 14, 18, and 22 karat gold. She utilizes both wax casting and soldering techniques. Some vessels contain wearable elements incorporated into the design. These can be worn as jewelry. Elaine designs and makes all the glass and metal elements in her pieces.