Born in Shizuoka, Japan, glass artist Minori Takagi began studying Tombodama (glass beads created through ancient lampworking techniques) in 1997. Since moving to Vancouver, Canada in 2006, Takagi has been incorporating new elements into her ancient style. Her jewellery uses soft glass as well as borosilicate glass, a substance more durable than the typical soda-lime variety of glass. Takagi’s glass jewellery is widely acclaimed. It won Vancouver Magazine’s 2019 “Made in Vancouver” style category, and it is featured in articles by The Georgia Straight, the Canadian craft magazine Studio, and the book 1000 Beads by Lark Crafts.