Mark DeShields was introduced to glass pipe making by classmates while studying Scientific Glass Technology at Salem Community College. He was intrigued by the aesthetic appeal and interested in how his technical skills could be implemented in artistic glass pipes.Shortly after school he moved to Raleigh, NC to work in scientific glass at Prism Research Glass and eventually founded Zephyr Glass with two partners, making glass pipes and smoking accessories.In 2015, he moved to Asheville to get closer to the large pipe making scene there and expand his artistic career. He is currently dividing his time between Level 42 Gallery and Studio, where he makes a broad variety of production and artistic glass pipes, and NCGC, where he teaches introductory classes.