CRAFTED WITH CARE. Hannah Kabelitz, the founder and creative behind Maybee Glasswork, has ventured into a new project with stained glass artwork: pet portraits. Over the past year, Hannah has received dozens of commissions from friends and family to commemorate the special animals — like Lux and Lono, pictured above — in their lives. (Submitted photo)

Inspired by a family legacy of stained glass art — and a deep love for animals — Hannah Kabelitz of Maybee Glasswork has em(barked) on her latest creative endeavor: glass pet portraits. This new pursuit, taken shape over the past two years, highlights the deep connection people hold with their four-legged loved ones.

Hannah's mother, a stained glass artist back in the day and Hannah’s own work at a local pet daycare center ultimately led her to explore creating pet portraits for friends and family. 

“The first person that asked me to do a pet portrait was actually my cousin's wife,” Hannah said. “I had a lot of fun with the process of picking out (glass) colors and making sure they were a good match to the pictures of the pets that were sent to me.”

Much of Hannah’s work has roots in accessible and sustainable practices; she sources glass second-hand in the Eau Claire area and has brought new life to glass cutting tools formerly used by her mom.

These intentional choices have led Hannah to acquiring a rainbow of glass hues, perfect to match any cat, dog, or other animals of pet owners who reach out to her with commission ideas.

Hannah’s artistic moniker, Maybee Glasswork, also acts as a tribute to her own “fur baby,” Bumblebee. The “Maybee” in its name not only reflects the important role pets play in our daily lives, but also serves as a personal affirmation for Hannah — a signal to her growing confidence as a stained glass artist.

“Maybe I know what I am doing, but maybe I don’t,” Hannah said. “I am still very much learning as I go. (Yet) certainly looking back at my beginning projects, I feel good about the progress that I have made.”

In the past year, Krystal Lang, a friend of Hannah’s, approached her to commission a stained glass pet portrait for her mom’s dog, Jasmine, and another for her mother-in-law’s pet lab.

Jasmine (pictured left) alongside their pet portrait (pictured right) by Maybee Glasswork. (Submitted photo)

In each step of the artistic process, Hannah approached both commissions with care and intention, Krystal said.

“What stood out to me in her process was how (Hannah) sent updates throughout the process,” Krystal said. “She even sent me the designs she had and how she had to piece different designs together to get the perfect Jasmine face.”

Each commission presents a new creative challenge for Hannah: To customize the glass structure and capture distinct character traits of various dog breeds — with the goal to truly celebrate the uniqueness of each beloved pet.

Including the pet owner in the process is just as much fun as sharing the final result with them, Hannah said.

“I never once doubted her ability and my jaw was on the floor with the finished product,” Krystal added. “My mom was speechless and my mother-in-law cried when they opened their extra special gifts.”

Krystal speaks to the exact kind of relationships Hannah cultivates with clients, friends and family when they approach her with new commission ideas. "Eventually, my partner and I could not resist commissioning a pet portrait of our own: Francine, our four-year-old 'daughter' and beloved cat."

When reflecting on recreating a pet’s unique coat pattern — to personal details only the pet owners might recognize — Hannah shared, “Whether it’s with (special glass) paint or if it's a freckle on the nose, getting to see (and create) the nuances of a pet is really fun.”

Francine (pictured left) alongside their pet portrait (pictured right) by Maybee Glasswork. (Submitted photo)

With a dozen pet portraits already part of her growing portfolio, Hannah shared Maybee Glasswork will open up spots for commissions in the new year. She finds excitement in the possibility to expand into new portraits of diverse “pets” and expand her skillset beyond cats and dogs.

All the while, maintaining a thoughtful approach and savoring each story that emerges from the beloved subjects of her art pieces.

Keep up with Maybee Glasswork and future commission openings online through Instagram (@maybee.glass). Hannah currently welcomes inquiries through direct message, to learn more about pet portrait pricing and customizations.