came to life at a time when founder Lee Rhodes' life had taken a fragile turn. The year was 1996 and Lee was fighting what would become a 7-year battle with a rare form of lung cancer, and raising her three small children. She had endured surgery, countless rounds of chemotherapy and was searching for a few moments of serenity to escape the fear that had encompassed her life. As a special Christmas gift to her husband at the time, she presented him glass blowing lessons. One of the first pieces he brought home from class was a small, brightly colored cup - almost like a baby cup. As he made more, Lee placed tea lights in them and spread them around her home, feeling the chaos become calm...and was born.

Over the next five years, Lee encouraged her husband to make more so she could give them away as gifts to her friends. Eventually she learned to blow glass and create , and then searched out local glass blowers to assist her with the production. She became driven to spread the light of . To her, they became "that deep breath that we often forget to take". In 2003, opened its first retail store and now resides in its permanent home in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle, where she now employs 30 people, including a team of dedicated glassblowers.

To honor those who have walked down her same path, Lee established goodwill. Every year, goodwill designates a select group of colors to benefit local and national organizations contributing to cancer patient care and cancer research.

remains an emotionally charged endeavor for Lee. Each day she is moved by the stories of those shopping in her studio, sometimes bringing tears, sometimes laughter - many cancer stories, and many stories of hope and healing. Each is created to be individual and each one is personal to her. As they leave the door, she is reminded of her journey and she hopes that the serenity and calm will remain with its new owner.