Born on The Jersey Shore, Ellen had the luxury and access to New York City.  Her mother, after trying many activities such as horseback riding, dancing and ice skating, finally enrolled her in art classes.  She would continue art lessons until she graduated high school.  In college, majoring in finance, so she could find a job (Affirmative Action) she realized that she should have majored in art and so at the age of 35 she went back to school to earn another degree in design.  In 2004 she took the big leap and combined her design work with glass.  She has always been a work in progress – as both her brothers will attest to !