From a young age, I was captivated by the enchanting glow of illuminated, colorful glass tubes. At just 11 years old, I found myself drawn to the world of neon, even doodling neon patterns in my fifth-grade notebooks. The allure of neon lights never left me, and that childhood fascination has only deepened with time.

However, I always believed that the art of neon bending was an elusive dream, shrouded in the secrecy of a tightly-knit community, typically accessible only through mentorships or apprenticeships. It felt like an art form beyond my reach, and I reluctantly dismissed it as a distant aspiration.

My neon bending journey finally commenced in May of 2020 when I was 22 years old. At the time, I owned a sign that bore the word "neon" in my collection, but it needed repair. With my stimulus check in hand, I decided to seek out local neon benders to restore the sign to its former glory. It was during this endeavor that I crossed paths with Kevin, who would later become my mentor. As he witnessed my unwavering passion and fascination for neon, he offered to teach me his craft on the spot. Without hesitation, I embraced this unexpected opportunity.

Fast forward to today, at 25 years old, I now have my own fully functional neon shop, Bing's Neon. Neon has become more than a calling; it's a tribute to the dreams of my younger self. I continue this journey for the child within me who once marveled at the beauty of illuminated glass.

When it comes to my neon work, I take pride in handling every aspect of the process. From designing and creating intricate patterns, to skillfully bending the glass tubes, to meticulously processing and filling them, and finally assembling the pieces – I am involved in every step of the art form. This all-encompassing involvement brings me immense joy, and I wouldn't have it any other way.