Gordon Smith developed an interest in glassmaking in 1975 at the early age of 15 while visiting a demonstration in Wheaton Village. 5 years later, he began working for Kontes Glass. The Kontes brothers, who made paperweights in their spare time, encouraged him to pursue the art. By the mid 1980s he was producing quality weights. In the meantime, he is recognized as one of the most talented American lampwork artists and is known especially for his highly-detailed snakes and Japanese Koi designs. Early weights usually bear the initials “GES” and the date. Since 1991 he has used a number of different signature canes.

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