You might say that local glassblower Andrew Clark will never crack under pressure. 

The 30-year-old artisan, who has lived in several Northwest Philadelphia neighborhoods, had no plans to start his own business until he was laid off from a glass blowing job at the start of the pandemic. One year later, he was asked to return to work, but he turned down what he thought was an insufficient salary.

“Three things happened then,” said Clark, of Roxborough. “First, I panicked. Secondly, I realized I needed to work for myself, and third, I realized I could start my own business. With my unemployment checks and the supplemental pandemic checks, I saw an opportunity to start a business and work for myself. That was the best decision I have ever made in my life.”

Clark started his business, Clark Casting and Ironworks, in October 2020. He offers design services, custom metal fabrication, wrought iron installation and glass casting from a 1000 square foot studio in West Philadelphia. He does all the work himself: design, fabricate, weld, paint and install. 

Most of Clark's clients have come through word of mouth but also from recommendations by Kilian Hardware in Chestnut Hill and Stanley’s Hardware in Roxborough. He has also obtained clients through his website, his Google business page and Instagram account.

His work has been praised on social media. "We love the gate and railing that Andrew made for our porch,” according to Steph Gerkovich, of Chestnut Hill. “The craftsmanship is excellent. He took so much care in installing it. We couldn’t be happier!”

Clark grew up in Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, attended Germantown Friends School and graduated from the Crefeld School in Chestnut Hill in 2012. He earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in craft and material studies from the University of the Arts in 2018. 

“When I visited Crefeld in 2009,” Clark said, “I remember the tour guide bringing me down to the glass blowing studio and explaining what it was. I don’t think I had even known that glass blowing existed, which is what initially attracted me to it. It was something completely new to me, and that was exciting. 

“In college, I took one welding class because I wanted to make steel bases for my glass sculptures. Glass and steel felt similar to me in the way I understood the material and how to manipulate it. I seem to be drawn toward materials that need heat and fire to alter their appearance. I also love the physicality of both mediums, and I love to sweat.”

Clark's first job out of school was working as a production glass blower at John Pomp Studios in Port Richmond, making light fixtures for hotels, restaurants and private residences. “My first week on the job, we were making some lighting for one of movie star Bradley Cooper’s homes,” Clark said. “That was pretty cool.” 

Before and during college, Clark worked on and off with a local handyman and also worked full-time at Gravers Lane Gallery for several years. My first job when I was 13 was at Captain Andy’s in the fish market when it was at the top of the hill. (Now it is in Wyndmoor.) 

But life has not been all roses for Clark. He admits that he was in a rehab facility in 2012 because of a drug addiction, but he is proud that he has been sober for 12 years. “The hardest thing I ever had to do was attend the funeral of my friend who saved my life when I overdosed,” he said, “but that friend died from an overdose himself.

“The best advice I have ever received was from my art teacher at Crefeld, Aaron Wiener,” Clark continued. "I took his painting class and was struggling with what I wanted to paint. He said I could paint anything and that there were no rules. I ended up applying that advice to my life and creative practices.” 

Clark, who also has been teaching glass blowing workshops at the Crefeld School since 2013, wanted to take this opportunity “to mention my grandmother, Linda Baldwin, for being an amazing advocate for me and my business. And my mom, Emily Clark, for always supporting my ideas since I was little.” Thanks to their support, this glassblower is not likely to have any shattered dreams.

For more information, visit castingandironworks.com. Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article  incorrectly stated that Clark works out of a studio he built in his basement.