Ellen Abbott and Marc Leva have been working in glass as a team since 1976 after a serendipitous afternoon propelled them into the burgeoning studio glass movement and the establishment of their studio, Custom Etched Glass in Houston TX. Ellen's life long series of art classes and Marc's craftsmanship and problem solving skills enabled them to design and create carved and etched architectural glass for a national clientele. After over 40 years of producing commission work for homes and businesses, Ellen and Marc have retired from this work to concentrate on the small sculptural work in the pate de verre lost wax kiln cast method.
They became interested in cast glass in the early 1980s and began their journey in the technique by using custom cast crystal forms in some of their commission work. This interest in cast glass eventually provided another outlet for creative expression and in 1994, they started exploring the pate de verre method of cast glass by testing out ceramic, jewelry, and bronze casting techniques, as there was no instruction available, and developed the process they use today. In 2014, Ellen and Marc moved to small town Wharton TX where they continue to create small sculptural works in the pate de verre lost wax kiln casting technique.