Glassblowing experiences available through July (book in advance on our website)
​Free glassblowing demos on Saturdays
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​WE ARE CLOSED JUNE 15-24.
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​Purple Shack Makers Gallery sells the work of 20 local and regional artists
​​Glassblowing Experiences available Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings
Who We Are
Holly Simonette
Owner / Fiber Craft
Paul Simonette
Owner / Glassblower
From an early age, I've expressed my creativity through dance, theatre, sewing, gardening, and knitting. I deeply appreciate the sensual beauty all around me, whether it’s nature or man-made creations. Oceans, mountains and the Texas Hill Country, enjoying the seasons, and drinking fine wine have all provided inspiration for my craft. Weaving gives me the ability to use colors and textures to express the beauty of the world around us and to create items that are warm, comforting and personal. My one-of-a-kind woven accessories and clothing are joyously created for you to help express your personal style.
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Since retiring in 2015 after a career in public relations and local government, Paul and I hit the road to live full-time in an RV with our two cats, Dickens and Lucie. After volunteering in national and state parks across the western half of the U.S. for five years, we bought this 22-acre ranch in 2020 to pursue our crafts, restore the land, and fulfill a dream we didn't know we had.
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I manage the business side of the ranch and Purple Shack Makers Gallery and received my my Native Plant Landscaping Certification in 2024. We're working on my vision to restore the native Texas landscape and our 22 acres is a continual work in progress.
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My love of glassblowing began after a 37-year firefighting career for the Department of Defense and the U.S. Forest Service. When I retired, Holly got me a gift certificate for glassblowing lessons and the rest, as they say, is history.
I love creating hand-blown vessels of all shapes and sizes - drinkware, vases, bowls - and working with our visitors to experience making drinking glasses, ornaments, flowers, hearts, and paperweights.
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When I'm not in the hot shop creating, you'll find me remodeling the interiors and exteriors of the ranch buildings, helping bring Holly's landscape vision to life, and doing whatever else needs to be done to revitalize the ranch.
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I also continue to serve as a volunteer firefighter with Willow City Volunteer Fire & Rescue and as an interpreter at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm at the LBJ State Park in Stonewall, TX.