CINCINNATI — You can usually find Sheila Hine in Cincinnati turning glass into art in her studio.

What You Need To Know

  • Sheila Hine started using her craft of glass sculpting to create a program to help others who are struggling

  • Part of the money goes to charities that help feed children in need

  • Hine has donated around $2,000 so far

She’s been doing it for the last 10 years, but when COVID-19 hit, everything changed.  

“I, as an artist, was not feeling very motivated to work," she said. " I started worrying about things going on in the world, and one of the things that’s always been close to my heart is children being fed,” said Hine.

She started making glass hearts that are being warmed up, sanded and polished off to be sold to families.

“People can send to family and friends that they can’t be with right now and just as a reminder they’re thinking of them,” said Hine.

But she’s not doing it to make a profit; the money she gets goes right back out.

“I cover my cost and most of the money from them is donated,” said Hine.

She’s donating the money to organizations like the Children’s Hunger Alliance. The group estimates one in five children in Ohio don’t have enough food to eat — a number they say got worse with the pandemic.

“I started to think what can I do to give back a little bit, and the hearts that feed was born from all of that,” said Hine.

"Hearts That Feed" is the name of the program she started where part of the sales helps families in need, and in a way helps herself to find the motivation to create again.

“It was really just to help spread some love and some goodness in a time that feels so dark to all of us,” said Hine.

So far, almost $2,000 has been donated from the program. You can look at glass hearts to send to loved ones by clicking here.