John Frechette launched Strapped Belts®, a fused glass products store, in 2008 as a result of life's twists and turns. After his employer went bankrupt, he was "Strapped". Strapped for cash and strapped for a job.
Originally from Boston, Frechette attended The Taft School in Connecticut then, Amherst College in Massachusetts. His career path started on Wall Street and landed him in Jackson Hole, WY. John has always had an interest in photography and painting but it was not until he arrived in Jackson Hole that he fell in love with glass.
Kiln-formed fused glass started as an attempt to explore a new medium and has turned into a passion. John has studied under glass artists and instructors including Richard Parrish of Fusio Studio in Bozeman Montana, Bonnie Celeste of Bullseye Glass in Portland Oregon and Charlotte Potter of Charlotte Potter Design in Providence Rhode Island.
Focusing on good technique and contemporary design, Frechette has created a line of handmade wearable art, from cufflink sets to necklaces. Starting with fused and kiln-formed glass belt buckles, Strapped hit the ground running. Demand for the accessories line quickly allowed for expansion into earrings, cufflink sets, pendants and rings. Strapped also has a line of kiln-formed plates, and tableware.
Strapped first entered the wholesale sales business when local stores began inquiring about carrying the line. In the summer of 2009, Strapped exhibited at the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) and began expanding its reach and is now sold in stores throughout the United States and Canada.
