Caryn has always been very creative and, from her teens, explored mediums such as pottery, sculpture, and metals, but glass was where she found her niche. Family played a big part in Caryn’s creative development as well. “My dad, C. B. Samuell, is an amazing, very creative man,” she says, “Dad built almost everything we had, furniture, homes, even our toys. He taught me the importance of a good work ethic.” Caryn developed her skills through the years by working with many world renown glass artists and attended Dale Chihuly’s Pilchuck Glass School throughout the 1980’s.

After a promising career as an engineer in the semiconductor industry, she focused on glasswork as a profession. With two young sons to support, Caryn knew that by following her passion as a glass artist she would be able to make a living at home. “I like to say I was educated as an engineer, but was born an artist,” says Caryn, “It was important to me that I raise my sons myself. Leaving them in day care so I could work a 10 hour day in the semiconductor industry was not an option.”

In 1994 while visiting Cape Cod, Caryn drove by a home on historic Route 6A that included a two story barn. After creating a plan Samuell Day Gallery and the Glass Workshop were up and running. Over 40 American fine craft artists and jewelers are currently represented alongside Caryn’s own work which includes sculpture, blown glass and jewelry.