Cape Cod Collective Article: "I hired movers just for my glass" - Neil Neil Orange Peel
Photo Credit: Christine Johannessen
That’s how serious Neil is about stained glass. The Cotuit-based artist took the long road back to his first love— stained glass. Today he runs a studio where students of all ages come to cut, create, and fall in love with the craft.
Cape Cod Collective: "Can you walk us through your journey as a creative? How did you get started, and what let you to where you are today?"
Neil: "I’m a self-taught artist with a unique journey. After dropping out of high school for being bullied and trying out several trades that didn’t quite fit, I discovered stained glass at 19. I picked up a pattern book and some glass from a shop in Northampton, MA, and created my first project—a stained glass lamp. This sparked a passion that led me to open an antique shop in Westfield, MA, where I sold both antiques and my stained glass creations."
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"In my late 20s, I lost everything and had to leave stained glass behind. Though I knew I’d eventually return to it, I shifted focus and moved to Boston, where I worked as a Project Manager in advertising. While stained glass became more of a hobby, I continued taking classes with other artists to refine my craft."
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"After relocating to San Francisco, I continued my advertising career and discovered a large, vibrant glass community, which further deepened my knowledge of stained glass. After 16 years in advertising, I decided to take a leap and leave that career behind to return to Massachusetts and follow my true passion—stained glass. Starting over wasn’t easy, but I was determined to get back to what I loved and rebuild my stained glass business. I bought a house on Cape Cod and converted my garage into a stained glass studio, where I now teach. In 2018, I launched my business, Neil Neil Orange Peel Designs, and taught my first class at a local art center. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of teaching over 500 students the art of stained glass, and teaching has become one of my greatest joys."
Cape Cod Collective Article: "I might have a slight obsession with glass—it’s all over my house,
in the basement, attic, and even in dresser drawers." - Neil Neil Orange Peel
Photo Credit: Christine Johannessen
Cape Cod Collective: "What are you working on these days?"
Neil: "These days, I’m keeping busy with teaching, typically running six classes a week, many of which are sold out. The demand for my classes has far exceeded my expectations, and I’m already booking into September! Outside of teaching, I’m working on several custom projects for homes and businesses across Cape Cod. I also run a popular Etsy shop, where I sell unique, one-of-a-kind stained glass pieces and my signature glass agave plants. Additionally, I love creating artwork for galleries and shows."
"I am preparing to teach my first all-teenager class, with students from high schools across Cape Cod. After the class series, the students and I will have our work displayed at an art exhibit this June at The Guyer Barn in Hyannis. I’m thrilled to work with these high school students and introduce them to stained glass—an art form that has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me when I was young."
Cape Cod Collective: What does a typical day look like for you?
Neil: "A typical day for me starts around 6 a.m. as I prepare for two classes. I usually teach two classes a day, three times a week. My mornings begin by getting the classroom ready for 6-8 students per session. While I set up, I always play music to help energize myself, and I keep the music going during class too. I remember how my high school art teacher always played music in class, and I loved that atmosphere. It had a big influence on me, so when I opened my studio, I named it after her—Karla Selden. I was fortunate enough to have Karla visit my studio, and it was a special moment to honor her by naming my space after her. She shaped my teaching style and showed me how important it is to make art enjoyable."
"My classes bring together beginners and more experienced students, which I love. I enjoy having mixed skill levels in the same group, so the beginners can see the progress others have made. Some of my first students are still with me, and they’ve gone on to create art that’s been displayed in galleries across Cape Cod. Between classes, I work on custom projects or fill Etsy orders, so my days are often packed with 8-10 hours of teaching and creating. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a dream come true. I’m incredibly thankful that I’m able to make a living doing what I love."
Cape Cod Collective: What tools can’t you live without?
Neil: "I absolutely love cutting glass, so I couldn’t imagine working without my trusty glass cutter and my lucky pliers. I’ve had them for years, and they’ve been with me through so many ups and downs in life. I also couldn’t live without my glass collection. I have a vast assortment of glass that I share with my students in class. My studio is lined with walls of glass, organized by color and size, and I have boxes neatly sorted by color and shape. All of this glass is available for my students to use in their own projects."
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"I might have a slight obsession with glass—it’s all over my house, in the basement, attic, and even in dresser drawers. When I moved from California to Cape Cod, I hired movers to drive my glass collection across the country. It was a nerve-wracking experience, wondering if my glass would arrive safely. Thankfully, everything made it here in one piece—nothing broke!"
Cape Cod Collective Article: "I’m still constantly learning and uncovering new aspects of this art form. " - Neil Neil Orange Peel
Photo Credit: Christine Johannessen
Cape Cod Collective: "What or who inspires you?"
Neil: "My students are a constant source of inspiration. Over the years, I’ve met so many incredible people, each with their own unique story or reason for taking my classes. Some are seeking a distraction after losing loved ones, others are looking to make new friends through art, and many are retired and searching for a fulfilling hobby. I also have students who want to learn the craft to start their own businesses or Etsy shops."
"In addition to group classes, I teach private sessions, where I’ve had families come together to create something special. These moments offer a great opportunity for bonding, where everyone is learning and creating at the same time, with something tangible in their hands. It’s a break from the constant pull of devices, and it’s beautiful to see families come together in that way. I’m constantly inspired by their journeys, experiences, and stories. Teaching has made me a better listener, more empathetic, and it’s even taught me how to remember hundreds of names—definitely not an easy task!"
Cape Cod Collective: "What would you like to learn more about in the future?"
Neil: " Having worked with stained glass on and off for over 30 years, I’m still constantly learning and uncovering new aspects of this art form. I’m dedicated to expanding my knowledge, always searching for innovative ways to use the medium to create one-of-a-kind pieces and share that knowledge with my students. I especially enjoy challenging myself to design unique glass sculptures and exploring new methods to express my creativity."
Cape Cod Collective: "What do you find most challenging as a creative?"
Neil: " One of the most challenging aspects of being a creative is pricing your work for sale. As artists, we often undervalue our time, effort, and the skill that goes into creating our art. It’s important not to shortchange ourselves when it comes to pricing and recognizing the true worth of our creations."
Cape Cod Collective: "What do you think creatives on Cape Cod could improve on?"
Neil: " Cape Cod is home to a vibrant art community, brimming with a diverse range of artists and workshops. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many talented individuals and collaborating on some amazing artwork with fellow artists. I’d love to see even more creative partnerships, where different mediums are fused together to produce truly unique and innovative art. The potential for blending artistic forms is limitless!"
Cape Cod Collective: "What do you do when you're not working?"
Neil: " When I'm not working, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family, and indulging in board and card games. I’m also a fan of concerts, gardening, and, of course, music."
Creative Hands Gallery Exhibit: Artwork on display from December 4th 2022-December 28th 2022.
Exhibit features works from Neil Maciejewski, Phil Pariseau, & Isabel Green at Creative Hands Gallery in Osterville, MA.
Welcome to Neil Neil Orange Peel Designs! Neil creates one-of-a-kind high-end modern stained glass art and gifts for homes, businesses, weddings, anniversaries, and all occasions. Each design is made of hand-cut glass and is designed by Neil Neil Orange Peel in his workshop located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Neil has been a stained glass artist for 30 years and his work has been featured in Cape Cod Home Magazine, Princeton University Art Museum, and several galleries and boutiques across the country. Neil's internationally popular stained glass agave plants have been featured on Buzzfeed, Pioneer Woman, Yahoo Life, Delish and have been sold through online retailers such as UncommonGoods and White Flower Farm. Neil also teaches stained glass art in his glass studio and has taught close to 300 students to date and counting. Several of his students have gone on to start their own businesses and define their own creative path working with stained glass.
The following businesses are former students of mine: Cape Cod Glass Worx, Glass Over Teakettle,
Grind & Shine Glass, OysterDesignStudioCC, Prickly Pear Stained Glass, LoveLight Glass Designs, Suncatcher Heaven, GC Glass Creations.
Custom work is always welcomed. Wholesale options are available for businesses.
Below are recent and past press mentions.
Artist Talk: On Wednesday, December 14th, 2022, I will be giving an Artist Talk from 5pm-6pm at Creative Hands Gallery in Osterville, Mass. Come on by and ask me questions about my creative process, teaching, or any other questions you may have.
Creative Hands Gallery: My artwork is on display from December 4th 2022-December 28th 2022. The exhibit will feature works from Neil Maciejewski, Phil Pariseau, and Isabel Green at Creative Hands Gallery in Osterville, Mass.
Falmouth Enterprise Newspaper: Gallery exhibit featuring a color photo of my artwork that will be included in the glass art exhibit at Creative Hands Gallery in Osterville on December 4th 2022. The exhibit will feature works from Neil Maciejewski, Phil Pariseau, and Isabel Green. Gallery will be on display until December 28th, 2022.
White Flower Farm: My stained glass agave plants and monstera leaves are now being sold through
White Flower Farm based in Connecticut! Click image above for details.
Reflections: Stained Glass Works by Neil Maciejewski, Students & Friends is currently an in-person exhibit at the Cotuit Center for the Arts in Cotuit Massachusetts. Was on display May-June 2021.
Cape Cod Home Magazine: Pictured above, are leaded glass windows that Neil Neil Orange Peel Designs built and
co-designed with the homeowners. These windows were designed to give the homeowner privacy, but also allow natural light to flow into the home. Click image above to read full article. Winter 2020
Princeton University: My stained glass agave plants are now being sold at the Princeton University Art Museum Store in Princeton New Jersey! Honored to have my pieces on display with other regional artists. Click image above for details.
Stained Glass Agave Plants: Pictured above, are various online press publications that include, Pioneer Woman, Yahoo Life, and Delish that featured my stained glass Agave plants that are being sold on UncommonGoods.
Click on the visuals above to read articles. March 2021
Stained Glass Agave Plants: Pictured above, included on Buzzfeed's Top 31 small businesses to check out for unique Mother's Day gifts for April 2021. My art landed at #25!
Click on the visuals above to read articles by numerous websites that covered my stained glass agave plants!.