Jessie Blackmer spent her childhood in rural Maine, an experience which heavily influences her work. She graduated with honors from Massachussetts College of Art in 2004 with a BFA in Glass. Shortly after earning her degree she moved to Washington State and worked for several well known and talented artists while refining her own technique and developing her own artistic practice. She also worked for and was a student at the world renowned Pilchuck Glass School . Jessie was also involved with Pratt Fine Arts center in Seattle, working as both a studio coordinator and an instructor. It was during her time at Pratt that she received the 2008 Jon and Mary Shirley Scholarship. In 2011 Jessie Blackmer received her MFA from The Ohio State University.