Frit-Happens !

January's Featured Artist: Steph Jones


I?ve always been interested in crafty things, be it making my own work or admiring someone else?s.
I think the first time I actually thought ?I?d like to give that a go? was in the early ?noughties?, browsing
around yet another craft gallery. I came across some simple fused glass hangings of clear glass and,
what I later found out to be copper, trapped within. The shine and richness of colour was so appealing.
To be honest I didn?t know what fused glass was for years! It was just ?glass? to me, as it seems to be
to many people who assume all glasswork is ?blown? glass.


(http://www.handmadeheaven.biz/USERIMAGES/swirls-raspberry-jam.jpg)


I?ve had many a blank look when I?ve said I?m a fused glass artist. I find the simplest explanation of fused
glass is to say it?s like baking a cake ? you layer together the ingredients and ?bake? them in a specialised
oven. I think that helps the penny to drop! I don?t recommend eating the finished product though,
even if it does ?look like sweeties? as I?m quite often told of my work.


(http://www.handmadeheaven.biz/USERIMAGES/lime-trifle-stack(1).jpg)


I do love the fact that fused glass is both pretty AND practical. You can use it just as a decorative
element but also it has plenty of practical applications too. Personally, I can?t stop myself making
coasters. You can never have enough coasters! They?re such a simple item but can really add
something to even the simplest surface.


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I?m always learning and get a real buzz out of discovering what the glass will do.


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I?m inspired by all sorts of things, not just particular people or their work. I tend to keep my eyes
open and perhaps see things other people might pass by ? a pattern in a fabric, a shape on a building,
the way two colours might lay next to each other in the pages of a magazine.


(http://www.handmadeheaven.biz/USERIMAGES/aubergine-moods.jpg)


I always have my sketchbook to hand to scribble down ideas and notes which I?ll reinterpret in
my work, even if it just sparks off an idea. I try to keep my work as original as I can so I strive to
create something I?ve never seen before.


(http://www.handmadeheaven.biz/USERIMAGES/satsuma_stripes_stack.jpg)


Glass likes to break in straight lines so I tend to let it! I suppose my style could be described with
words like: bold, bright, colourful and contemporary, with heavy accents of stripes and squares.
I?ll also always have a link to my branding of rainbows ? everyone loves a rainbow!


(http://www.handmadeheaven.biz/USERIMAGES/autumn-berries-low.jpg)


While the kiln is merrily ?cooking? away I like to work on my take on wire wrapped necklaces. Again,
I aim to be original with my jewellery as with my glasswork, striving to create that something a little
bit different. I find my nosing around galleries, fairs and craft shops reassures me that I?m making
something new. I find jewellery-making to be therapeutic and it keeps me busy when I?m not
cutting and assembling new glass pieces.


(http://www.handmadeheaven.biz/USERIMAGES/aqua-split.jpg)


So far I?ve started small but bigger things are ahead for Handmade Heaven in 2007. I plan on
expanding my designs to include bowls, plates, platters, more art, lights and lamps, wearable fused
glass ? you name it, I?ll probably try it! I want to continue to develop and grow and aim to realise
the many ideas I have for my glasswork. If people continue to like what I do then I?m more than
happy to keep doing it! I find great pleasure from the reactions my glass gets and it?s so
encouraging to hear how something I?ve made has had an effect on someone.


(http://www.handmadeheaven.biz/USERIMAGES/caramel-mocha-moods.jpg)


The ultimate dream is to be doing this full-time, teaching others and having my own craft gallery
that might, one day, influence someone else enough to give it a go!


(http://www.handmadeheaven.biz/USERIMAGES/framed_aqua_ice_pyramid-angle.jpg)


Steph?s work is available from her website: http://www.handmadeheaven.biz (http://www.handmadeheaven.biz)

And also on Etsy : http://www.handmadeheavendotbiz.etsy.com (http://www.handmadeheavendotbiz.etsy.com)



Photography and Text ? Stephanie Jones 2007