We had the good fortune of connecting with Kendra (Klein) Gagnier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kendra, every day, we know how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I’ve always been a little creative and after combing the shorelines of Lake Huron for weeks in March of 2020, during the Covid 19 lockdown and unexpectantly stumbling upon lots of Great Lakes beach glass, I decided to put my imagination to work. I started seeing the potential of the shapes of glass and putting them together to create a picture. My first several art pieces, I gave away to friends – until one day a friend was amazed and suggested that I should be marketing my art. I quickly created a Facebook page and started to advertise through my network of friends and family. The orders came pouring in!

By September that same year, I took a chance and invested in tables, display racks and a vendor tent to participate in the local annual Harrisville Harmony Days arts/craft show. It was a 2-day event with about 300 vendors and I sold over 70 pieces that weekend. By the next year’s Harmony Days weekend celebration, I had now traveled to several art/craft shows around Michigan and was honored to win first place in crafts for 2021 at Harmony Days.

I originally started with “Lake Huron beach glass” but soon had to change my business cards to “Great Lakes beach glass art’ as I had to keep up with the supply and demand. I have beachcombed on all of our Great Lakes except for Lake Ontario. I have people who also collect beach glass and I reach out to them for supplying my Lake Michigan and Lake Erie glass. I know fake glass when I see it and I pride myself on using genuine glass – I never tumble it or cut it to the shape I need.

My business has continued to grow. In 2024, I made 702 art pieces and participated in about 18 shows, have been a guest speaker at events and have held several beach glass art making classes in Harrisville and for private events.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I retired from Administration at MidMichigan Medical Center in Alpena in 2016, after a 28-year career. Creating beach glass art was a perfect retirement hobby that I stumbled upon. Many people have commented at art shows that they’ve never seen anything like my art before and that makes me smile. I’ve been told that I have the ability to see the outcome of an art piece before even starting it. I am proud that I can make someone happy with my art. Often at shows, people will see a certain piece and read the caption and say they just have to have that piece because it touched their heart and that’s the outcome that I want when creating. I sure enjoy beachcombing and creating art while being home with our three dogs but the enjoyment I get from it all is that my art brings joy to others.

A couple challenges I’ve had along the way were figuring out the frames for my art. My first year I was buying wooden frames and painting two coats of white on each one – very time-consuming. Finally finding the perfect frames and sizes, I was able to lower my prices. It is also challenging to get my work into retail gift shops.

A lesson I learned early on was that not every arts/craft show is for every artist. I’ve learned which shows and cities I do best in and those of course, are repeat venues for me. I’ve signed up for 23 shows in 2025 and I’m excited to be a first time vendor in September at the 6th annual Balloons Over Bay Harbor event.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living on the shores of one of The Great Lakes has many opportunities to entertain guests. Near Lake Huron in Northeastern Michigan, we have several lighthouses to visit and beautiful State Parks. Taking a tour of the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena along the Thunder Bay River is a must see! There are miles and miles of beaches to walk between Mackinac City and down to Tawas City. There are some excellent restaurants near us – The Mountain Bar and Grill in Black River is right on US23 and consistently offers excellent food and a grand atmosphere. The Red Brick Tap and Barrel in Alpena is a very popular place to dine with the chef creating magnificent unique meals. If you’re near the shoreline of any of our Great Lakes, take the time to stop for a stroll – you just never know when you’re going to find your own treasure!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I absolutely have to thank my friends and family who were my original supporters. I’m thankful for my dad driving over an hour to come beachcombing with me on several occasions. I’m also thankful for my husband driving me and our three dogs for a 5-day weekend to tour Lake Erie in 2024 and for creating a work area in our home for me which I soon outgrew and now have a bigger studio. In the beginning, he’d come home from work, and I’d be all excited, “come see what I made today” – He’d always reply, “good job, baby! I’m proud of you!”
I’ve met so many awesome people at art shows and in my classes. Many continue to follow my page and order a custom-made piece for a special occasion. It makes me smile knowing how my art touches the lives of others.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069134242671

Image Credits
Bob Szuber and Darby Hinckley

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