Two Arms Creating Blends Stained Glass and Woodwork into One-of-a-Kind Art

From the moment you meet Natalie and Greg Arms, it’s clear that their business, Two Arms Creating, Stained Glass and Wood Design, is a true labor of love—one that blends craftsmanship, creativity, and a deep appreciation for functional beauty. Though they only officially launched their business on the craft show circuit in July of 2023, their journey with stained glass and woodworking has been years in the making, rooted in a shared passion for art and handmade design.

The story begins with Greg’s woodworking skills, which he has honed since he was just 12 or 13 years old. A trained cabinetmaker, Greg realized early on that mass-produced cabinetry from big box stores left little room for individuality or creativity. “Home Depot and Lowe’s can make cabinets way cheaper than I ever could,” he said. “So I wanted to explore the creative side of woodworking—to build things that aren’t just practical, but also artistic.” That mindset eventually evolved into crafting detailed, intricate wooden frames and display pieces for Natalie’s stained glass artwork.

Natalie’s journey into glass art started in 2021 with a fascination for torchwork. “I started taking torchwork classes, and I really liked it,” she explained. “But I found I loved stained glass even more—mainly because I could walk away from it if I needed to. You can’t just walk away in the middle of a torch session!” The couple discovered a glass art studio in Las Vegas, where they took several classes. The studio eventually changed ownership, and both Natalie and Greg went to work there, teaching and continuing to grow their skills. That hands-on experience helped Natalie find her niche in stained glass design, and once they began doing craft shows together, their creativity flourished.

Natalie focuses on the intricate and beautiful world of stained glass, working daily to cut, grind, foil, and solder pieces into delicate works of art. She primarily works in the Tiffany style, which uses copper foil to wrap the edges of each piece before they’re soldered together. She explained that although the term “stained glass” originally referred to glass that was painted or chemically stained (as seen in old churches), the modern method involves using pre-colored sheets of glass. Natalie finds particular joy in floral patterns. “I’ll sketch something on paper, refine it on cardboard, and then cut it out in glass. I love working with flowers the most,” she shared.

Her smallest creations are sun catchers, meant to hang in windows and catch the light in dazzling colors. Her largest pieces are full glass panels, some framed with metal and others housed in handcrafted wooden frames built by Greg. “When he makes the boxes for my floral bouquets or the frames for my panels, he’s doing everything—finding the wood, cutting it, cleaning it, and making it look like something you’d be proud to display,” she said.

Greg’s woodworking is more than just support—it’s artistry in its own right. While many of his creations are made to complement Natalie’s glasswork, he also creates standalone pieces. One such project was a meticulously crafted wood wall hanging of the Salt Lake City Temple, which he made as a housewarming gift for Natalie’s sister. He uses a variety of tools—from table saws to sanders—and even builds custom jigs to help with precise cuts. “Whatever comes out of my brain is what I make,” he said modestly, though his work is anything but simple. “My goal is to make something people are proud to put in their home—ready to go, nothing else needed.”

Both Natalie and Greg accept commissions and have completed custom work for local clients, churches, and businesses. One standout piece is the stylized cat logo hanging at Katwell Spa inside Bella Salon, which Natalie recreated in stained glass. She also made a Lutheran rose design for local church, Saved by Grace, and is currently working on a two-by-two-foot floral centerpiece for a private client.

The process of creating stained glass art is delicate and time-consuming. From cutting sheets of colored glass to grinding sharp edges and soldering each piece together, Natalie described it as “a really fussy puzzle that makes you bleed.” Despite the hazards—sharp glass and endless patience required—she finds immense joy in the work. “It’s fun for me. I just love it.”

Because of the level of detail involved, the couple has learned to pace their show appearances. “Glass isn’t something you can rush,” Natalie explained. “It is very detailed and takes time and focus.” They aim to bring 50 to 60 finished pieces to each craft show. Their first event had only about 25 pieces, and they quickly learned that a fuller display draws more attention. “If the table looks sparse, people assume you’ve already been picked over,” Greg said. “It’s like the last item on the shelf during the zombie apocalypse—people think there’s something wrong with it.”

Each show now involves not just crafting but also careful preparation. Greg even makes custom boxes for transporting and storing each piece, especially useful for seasonal items. “People love the boxes,” Natalie said. “They make it easy to put the art away safely and bring it back out next season.”

As for where to find their creations, Natalie and Greg regularly appear at local events such as Christmas in July, Spooky Jingles, and other craft fairs organized by Ashley Welch and Randi Case. They’ve also participated in regional events like Jim Butler Days in Tonopah and craft fairs in Sun City Anthem. In addition to preparing for upcoming shows, they plan to place small ads in the local paper so customers know where to find them.

Though they don’t currently have a website, interested customers can reach them directly by phone or text at 775-751-2856 or email them at twoarmscreating@gmail.com. They are working on building an Instagram page to showcase their work visually and give people an idea of what’s possible through custom orders.

What truly sets Two Arms Creating apart is the love and collaboration behind every piece. Natalie and Greg have found not only a shared creative outlet in retirement but a way to bring joy and artistry to others—one pane of glass and one plank of wood at a time.