By Jonathan Gonzalez | February 2026|
Shop: Dai.glass on shopzart.com! (Cat Earrings)
Help small and local artists survive off their passions. That’s the mission statement of ZART. To create a place in which people who are different, people who want to create art and culture can not just survive, but thrive doing what they love! It all comes with its own set of challenges and we wanted to take a closer look at what kinds of tactics work for vendors to be supremely personal with their clients but not having the resources to market to the masses or be everywhere all at once.
One of our most prominent and active artists working to make this dream a reality is Daiqi Cui, better known to her fans as Dai.Glass. She’s the embodiment of everything we want to support here at ZART because of her persistence, commitment and tenacity.
Value Your Creativity
Currently hustling in Brooklyn NY, Dai gave us some insight to the strategies she and other small artists like her need to employ on a regular basis, such as reminding the customer that handcrafted and custom pieces like hers are literally one of a kind. Sharing this part of the process is crucial to getting the customer to see how much work goes into one piece of art, which highlights the value of its creation.
Credit: glassdai.com (Calcifer - Made to Order)
“Everybody who comes to my stand, I'll tell them that all those are handmade in Brookly…by…me…in the studio. So nothing should be exactly the same. So if you see something you like right here, right now…its probably better to grab it this time. Next time it might not be the same one”
Give it that personal Touch
Conversely though, Dai did share with us some of the agility that comes with being tied so closely to a product and having to employ all kinds of strategies to really give that great customer experience.
For instance, a customer could be extremely interested in a product and really want to take it home, but the color doesn't match what they want their home or place of decoration to look like, she has that flexibility that comes with being the one to fulfill each order herself.
She can personally combat the dreaded “OUT OF STOCK” nuisance. This is a unique form of value the customer cannot get anywhere else because it comes directly from you! So make it count!
Credit: glassdai.com
“I think that’s the power of love. I know people say it’s dramatic but that’s what it is. Their excitement influences me and gives me the power to keep going…That happiness is precious, i want to keep it forever”
Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance
When we asked Dai to get into her process of creating art, specifically glass, she had a little bit of a scientific method she goes through in her process to turn the glass into art. Having a process to follow and knowing what to expect can be crucial when starting your journey as an artist and a small business. It can be overwhelming and disheartening to not get it on the first try.
In her process, Dai understands that the first attempt at making anything that comes to her in a moment of inspiration is going to be a good base, but she needs to iterate and fail for it to become what she wants it to be. After a few hours when she’s able to repeat the process and make a couple copies finally she’ll be satisfied and move to the next step of picking products to feature.
“After the first trial, after all the beginner’s luck, the second trial I try to repeat it, I try to replicate it…that is the hardest time, many times this step will fail.”
Do it Scared!
Glass making is a uniquely fun but intimidating hobby to get into. Just like the flame of the forge though, passions can be ignited above that open flame same as it was for our resident expert Dai.Glass, who was gracious enough to share her insight during our interview.
There really is nothing like learning from one of the best! Check out her shop here on shopzart.com and thank you for taking the time to read this blog, we at ZART hope this inspired you to create something unique today!
Shop: Dai.Glass (Original Character Design, Heart Bear Pendant)
Shop: Dai.Glass (Handcrafted Tentacle Pendant with Octopus Bail)
Shop: Dai.Glass (BE Bear Earrings)
