Tag: Art

A Colourful new Direction: Glass Fusing in Manchester

I’m making an exciting shift in my studio practice and taking a break from teaching the one‑day stained glass workshops.

I’m focusing on the magic of kiln‑fired Glass Fusing Experiences, relaxed, creative morning workshops where you can play with colour, light and texture, and make something truly unique.

✨ Next Glass Fusing Workshop: Saturday 23rd May (Bank Holiday weekend) create a beautiful fused glass Heart. ✨ All the details are on the Boutique Glass Fusing Experiences Manchester page.

Glass fusing is a wonderfully accessible way to explore glass art. No experience needed just curiosity. Every fused piece is unique, so your creation will be truly one‑of‑a‑kind.

Glass heart workshop
fused glass coaster
Fused glass heart

Each workshop takes place in my Hope Mill studio in Ancoats (part of AWOL studios), with a small group of just four people, so there’s plenty of guidance and support.

You’ll design and make your own piece using the templates I provide, little birds, hearts, coasters, hanging suncatchers or a small trinket dish, depending on the session.

You’ll learn how to cut and shape glass and use colourful decorations such as frit, stringers, dots and tiny Murano pieces (like slices of candy rock).

Your finished pieces will be fired in the kiln, available for collection within two weeks, or can be returned to you.

  • fused glass heart
  • fused glass coaster
  • Fused glass Bird
  • Fused glass heart
  • Fused glass heart
  • Glass heart workshop

Alongside teaching, I’ll also be spending more time on my own glass projects, developing my skills in traditional fired glass painting something I’m really excited about.

If you’d like to see what glass fusing looks like, have a look at @glassfusing.manchester to see the beautiful pieces people have created in my workshops.

I’d love to welcome you to a fusing session soon it’s a joyful, colourful way to spend a morning and create something you’ll be proud of. Booking information for Boutique Fused Glass experiences

Glass coaster or beautiful eye candy

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A Burst of Colour: Spring Daytime Stained Glass Courses Now Open for Booking

A burst of colour is set to brighten Tuesday and Thursday mornings as I open bookings for the next round of my Daytime Stained Glass 8 week courses, starting mid- April, after the Easter break.  These eight week courses are designed for complete beginners as well as returning makers, offering a chance to slow down, learn a traditional craft, and create something beautiful with your own hands.

Working in small, friendly groups of just four, you’ll receive plenty of individual support as I guide you step‑by‑step through the stained glass process,  including designing your own projects, creating a pattern to cutting glass, leading, and soldering. You will develop your own unique project at a relaxed, steady pace.

Many people tell me these sessions become a welcome pause in their week: a couple of hours to focus, unwind, and enjoy the gentle rhythm of making. The studio atmosphere is calm and encouraging, with cups of tea, shared conversations, and that lovely moment when a project suddenly ‘clicks’ into place.

By the end of the eight weeks, you’ll leave with a finished stained glass piece, new skills, and a real sense of creative accomplishment. Some students go on to make further pieces; others simply treasure the experience of learning something new in good company.

What I love most is the mix of people who walk through the door. Some arrive a little unsure of their creativity, while others return with ideas ready to explore, every time, the work produced is uplifting and beautiful.

  • 8 week course
  • Returning student 8 week course
  • 8 week course
  • Returning Stained glass by student
  • Stained glass by returning student
  • Stained glass by student

One of my favourite moments is the ‘pattern design stage’. Someone will bring in a sketch or a picture that inspires them, a favourite flower, a landscape, a geometric idea.  We all sit together figuring out how to translate it into glass. It’s a quiet magic, watching an idea become a physical object.

For the practical details please do use the link to Manchester stained glass and you can always contact me to chat about any questions you have.

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New Year 2025 Workshops

Now booking – One day Stained glass beginners workshop

This year has seen my skills in painting on glass starting to grow, with the invaluable support and skills advice of Dennis Eckersley of Design Lights, thank you so much Dennis. Painting on the glass plays with light coming through the glass, and with the colours, to add further dimensions and delights to stained glass windows. Have I mentioned how Stained glass is like magic, and eye candy for the soul.

I will be adding painting to commissions and continue to practise and play with this in wee free moments.

Stained glass panel – Painted Hare – sold

Stained glass workshops –

I am running stained glass beginners workshops, roughly once a month on a Saturday. Below in Slide Show, are some of the students and pieces they have made from the One day workshops and the Courses.

Due to commissions and other commitments, I am not running the Introduction to Copper Foiling workshops for a short while.

Stained glass panel – Painted silver birches private commission.

The daytime 8 week course will continue to run, I love to watch people progress and confidence grow in these workshops, along with all the friendships and wonderful design ideas and concepts. Both courses are full in January through to March. Please do contact me to add you name to the list of interested people and I will let you know when places become available.

Stained glass panel – Sunflower burst – own work.

  • rhdr

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Thursday Stained glass course

Starting 19th September – one place available

Early September on holiday in Brittany, I had chance to look inside a few local churches and was rather blown away at the beauty and complexity of the painted stained glass windows!

On a more achievable fun level, the opportunity to join one of my stained glass courses and make your own stained glass panel, minus the paint, has just come up. Now, we wouldn’t make such a complex design, but I find that glass is such uplifting eye candy that you wouldn’t be disappointed with the outcome and for years to come can enjoy the sun lighting up the glass.

The space on the Thursday Morning course, is short notice for starting on the 19th September, but you never know, someone may be free and this is will be just the ticket for starting for Autumn.

Do contact me if you would like to join Contact

Now for some Brittany Stained glass.

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Stained Glass Artwork Showcase: Engaging Creations and New Ventures

Withington Baths stained glass

My most recent stained glass project I’m thrilled about is a series of windows created for Withington Baths, part of their Heritage Fund renovation. I created a community engagement project to design the windows. I worked with 5 local Primary schools and a local young adult learners group.

The designs centred around the themes of ‘Welcoming’ and ‘Community.’ Collaborating with local primary children and young adults on these window designs was a delightful experience. They brought inspiring ideas, a fresh palette of bold colours, and demonstrated exceptional teamwork in finalizing the designs. Here is a reel from my Face Book showing how magical light is through stained glass, and slide show of the work.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/951645279604238

Painting and other work

I’ve been a bit of a secret agent when it comes to showcasing my stained glass creations, need to learn to put down the glass cutter and learn how to update website’s gallery. I’ve been painting and firing designs onto glass, which is a thrilling new venture and quite the learning experience. As I figure out how to update my gallery with new pieces, here’s a slideshow featuring some of the stained glass artwork I’ve created.

  • A window for Sam
  • Withington Baths Cafe Window

Interested in having a bespoke painted stained glass window, do ask Contact or ring for a chat, always happy to discuss.

Want to make your own lovely glass panel, come to a workshop, have a look at dates Stained glass courses and workshops

AWOL OPEN STUDIO – Friday 4th October 6pm – 9pm come have a have a nosey at my studio and all the other artists studio at AWOL studio in Hope Mill https://www.awol-studios.co.uk/about/

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