Rick and Janet's Nicholson dedication to glass blowing is evident in the excellent quality of their work. The emphasis in their small studio is on creativity and innovation. Each piece is a free-hand expression of the excitement and risk-taking only found in an experimental glassblowing studio.

Following his university education, Rick Nicholson operated a pottery studio full time in southern California from 1974 to 1981. Janet left her photography job in 1979 to freelance and create designs on Rick's clay forms. They were married the same year. In 1980 and 1981, they worked in both clay and glass, and decided to concentrate on glass alone in 1982. Originally from Hawaii and Ohio, respectively, Rick and Janet settled in Auburn, California in 1982.

Rick has been inspired by his involvement with the Pilchuck School. First as a teaching assistant for Dale Chihuly and, most recently, expanding into combining light and glass with Fred Tschida from Alfred University, New York.

Their work involves sculptural lighting and elegant, asymmetrical platter, bowl and vessel forms. Many works have been commissioned for hotels and private residences internationally. Rick's current studies in metals have allowed the work to expand into large scale sculpture. The marriage of glass, metal and light have presented exciting new challenges for future projects.