Carole Perry’s glass tapestries — sculptural glass baskets with varied textures — evolved from a desire to help others overcome the dreaded “Do Not Touch” lessons of childhood. The southern Oregon native has been creating functional and sculptural glass from her Laughing Glass Studio in Cave Creek for more than 30 years.

Perry set aside a successful career in computers in 1990 to pursue her passion for glass full-time. Nothing could prepare her for the sheer joy of creating a piece of glass sculpture. Her idols include Chihuly, Marquis and Brock.

Perry has served on the boards of the Desert Foothills Land Trust, the Sonoran Arts League, the Cave Creek Film and Arts Festival and the Arizona Glass Alliance. In 2001, she co-founded the Foothills Empty Bowls Project, an annual event benefitting the Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center.

“I’ve learned some simple rules firsthand: the more you give, the more you get,” Perry says. “When you lead with your heart, the universe supports you.”