North Lakes Stained Glass

05/10/2026

The problem with productive Sundays…… is a manic Monday 😭

No, seriously, I can’t really complain…… I love the work I do, and creating beautiful things, but I’m sure everyone has part of their job they like the least?

And for me, it is most definitely foiling!!!!! Especially copious amounts of it like this…… and we’re taking hundreds, and some pieces only 5mm square…… it just feels like that ‘limbo’ stage that is just a means to an end so I can get to my favourite process of soldering, when things start to really come together and you see the true beauty of the glass and lines of your design…. I always ask my students which process they enjoy most, and they actually say the opposite?! What do you think?

However, it’s also a stage not to be rushed or underestimated. Getting your foil correctly aligned so it overlaps equally on both sides of the glass, doesn’t split on curves and is well burnished to ensure the endurance of your piece is a skill that needs practice, and has a direct impact upon how your final solder lines look.

So, I better get on with it!! Probably for the best tbf - first day home alone unsupervised, so at least it will keep me confined to the living room for most of the day 🤣

Have a great start to your week guys! I’ll be drinking copious amounts of decaf coffee & trying to find a new Netflix binge!

01/10/2026

Caustics - the mind boggling relationship between light waves, matter, maths and physics explaining the beautiful optical phenomenon we see throughout nature 🥰

Reflecting on possibly my favourite presentation at this year’s International Festival of Glass, given by the inspirational Alison Stott….which has taken me down a complete rabbit hole of further investigation 🤣 can’t help myself when I get to explore art, glass & science together! (Maybe not the intricacies of the mathematical equations though!!)

In just 60 minutes, we were given a fantastic ‘layperson’ overview of the theories that have underpinned her beautiful series of glass art entitled ‘Naturally Focused’, & the processes she has worked through to create each one. These were developed in conversation with the internationally renowned Sir Michael Berry, a physicist based at the University of Bristol.

Think the patterns of light you see on the sea floor, the edge of rainbows, or even the shapes in the bottom of your morning coffee cup! All created by 7 set patterns created by light waves focusing and scattering, varying intensity…… did you know, everyone sees the same rainbow differently?

Thank you so much Alison, and can’t wait to see where this takes you next.



Eden Valley Artistic Network The Contemporary Glass Society The World Of Glass Glass Art Society Cumbria Arts & Culture Network The Makers Mill Karen Logan Rheged Hare Hill Barn Tullie Make It At Market BBC BritBox Visit Keswick - Lake District Visit Lake District, Cumbria InternationalFestivalofGlass Alison Stott

(Attached video ‘ocean therapy’ created by Mitchell Pettigrew )

01/10/2026

There’s always more to learn and every project gives you the opportunity to try something new!! Enjoy the journey and trust the process…… you won’t regret it!

When I decided to revisit stained glass after 30 years away, I knew curves were going to be my nemesis, especially with the designs I had in mind!
So I googled free stained glass patterns online, found this swirly rainbow number knowing it was going to be a challenge (especially as I didn’t have a grinder back then!) and went for it!!!

Sometimes, you’ve got to step outside your comfort zone & have the confidence to just give it a go and make mistakes (they’re not mistakes!! You are creating learning opportunities!).
It’s not about perfection, it’s about what it means to you and how it makes you feel…..

I still have this original piece hanging in my kitchen window…. It makes me smile with its bright colours, and reminds me of that first little box of goodies that arrived from and how giddy I was at this bold, multi-textured glass and the possibilities…..

And that’s what guides my workshop offerings! There’s actually a lot more thought and prep that goes into them than it may seem 🤣

Each ‘themed’ workshop is suitable for both complete beginners, as well as those who have worked with glass before, as each one has been chosen specifically by me to provide the opportunity to focus on a new element of stained glass skills during each session……. be that working on colour & texture choice, curve practice, straight line practice, precision for fitting pieces together & working to a pattern, having to work to fit within a frame or problem solving with a 3D structure!

So if you want to start on your stained glass journey, build on skills you already have, or are just glass-curious, make sure you like and follow me for more information, and sign up to my mailing list via the website, as the 2027 schedule will be heading out exclusively in the next Newsletter this weekend, before then going ‘public’ later in October….. New classes, New Venues 🥰

29/09/2026

Why is it so hard to photography glass?! 😭 any tips?

You’ll just have to take my word for it at the moment until you see it IRL in one of my extra special creations - this haul was filled with gorgeous glassy goodness…..

Most of you know I love to reuse / recycle / repurpose older glass when I can, as it has history, depth and I love the idea of giving it a new future….

I didn’t even know what I was getting with this one, so it’s a good job I have some very talented / artistic Cumbrian co-glassers who are also lovely friends and I know will pick me perfect goodies 🥰

I had agreed to a collective buy out of some glass that had been offered to our little Cumbrian crew after the artist had sadly recently passed, but then I got taken into hospital so couldn’t help to go collect it or sort through it.

My ‘portion’ arrived at HQ yesterday and this was the first time I’d had the energy to go look properly and couldn’t stop smiling. There’s tons of gorgeous cherry red, some stunning larger pieces of this deep, almost regal purple, a lush chunk of streaky brown which is like unicorn tears to find decent examples of.

And then there’s this bizarrely beautiful blue mottled glass which I’m gutted didn’t work well on camera, as it’s mesmerising. In low light, it just looks uniform v dark blue, in medium light, you see the blotches, but go full light it just goes bonkers! The background glass is a vivid sparkling swirling blue, like nothing I’ve seen before….

This is just the start if it, and there was so much more, but after the first few sheets, I just gave up on photographing them and decided I couldn’t do them justice so would selfishly keep the enjoyment to myself 😝

28/09/2026

Slowly prepping for the upcoming Cumbria Life Home & Garden Show in a few weeks, and here’s a sneak peak of one ‘sort of revisited but also new stunner’ currently on the bench, and then 4 completely new pieces that I’m getting extra creative with and exploring some new techniques with!

Can’t wait for your feedback…. We’ve also just found out where you can find us in packing hall 1. Super excited to be sitting opposite the most wonderful, bonkers and talented ceramicists MilesMooreCeramics and right at the start of the show again! Come in the main entrance and take your first left, and you’ll find us literally in the corner. You won’t be able to miss my shiny new banner (or not hear me and Siobhan swooning over each other’s creations!) 🤣



Eden Valley Artistic Network Cumbria Arts & Culture Network Karen Logan The Makers Mill Rheged Hare Hill Barn Tullie The Contemporary Glass Society BSMGP Visit Keswick - Lake District Visit Lake District, Cumbria Landscape Magazine Booths Supermarket Visit Eden Make It At Market BritBox BBC

27/09/2026

Keeping the heritage of glass blowing in Bristol alive 🥰

The new company is set to open in the coming weeks and will also make modern items in other colours.

25/09/2026

Letters……..

This has honestly made my week….. I can’t remember the last time I got a personal letter….. and proper, hard copy photos….
There is something so special about a letter…. The genuine effort, feeling and use of language that goes into them is just so different from an email or text.
And as the reader, you approach receiving them in a completely different way too. No skim reading, no rushing….. you take your time, maybe even grab a drink or sit down, and take each word in, as it feels it’s what a letter deserves….

Do you agree? When did we stop taking the time to actually write?

This wonderful letter came from possibly one of the most joyous people I have had the pleasure of meeting, after she made contact during her holiday in the lakes and asked to come visited my studio.

The timing was tricky & my head was all over the place - I was tempted to cancel, but I’m so glad I didn’t. She bought such positivity into my space, and to talk with someone about my work who was completely inthralled with it, and connected with the designs in exactly the way I’d dreamed people would, just gave me the boost I really needed.

I’ve always wanted my stained glass to be more than just ‘a thing’ in your house - it’s an ever changing piece of art that I hope acts as a window to transport you back to past memories of places, people or feelings…. Or fill you with anticipation of things to come…. And I think the feedback in this letter probably says it better than I ever could! 🥹

24/09/2026

What a beautiful September day to be taking my first tentative steps back into the workshop…….. the Autumn Equinox……love the way the landscape views are transitioning and the way the light plays with the glass throughout the day…..

Today was the first day I ventured out of the house this month (other than to go to the hospital!) & we took it steady! Yes, it may have only been a walk around the local coop to post some Vinted parcels, but to be able to put the car window down and feel the wind on my face without was delicious!

Then, it was a case of alternating sofa/fur baby time & Nana-naps with 2 x 45 minute stints in the workshop - first to gaze lovingly at glass & start applying some vinyl pattern templates, and then later on to start cutting…… completely jiggered now, but feels like progress, even if it is only baby steps……

How are things out there in the wider world? What has made you smile this week?



Juniper Forest Embroidery

22/09/2026

🥳🥹 We’re back - did you miss me?!

So grateful to be home, resting & recuperating, but also super excited to be able to start planning for our first official ‘engagement’ back - the 2026, taking place at the amazing Keswick Pencil Factory on the 17th & 18th October.

Last year blew our minds, and this year’s event is set to be even better, with a wonderful mix of local & national artisan makers, & some fabulous tweaks to the setting that will make it an even more memorable day out!

Come along to discover inspiring interiors, unique gifts, artisan food and drink, all under one roof.
I’ll also have exclusive ‘event only’ pieces of glass art on display, and preview details of some workshops coming up in 2027 that you will be able to book on the day before they go live elsewhere!

Want a free ticket??? Comment below to get a pair of complimentary tickets to attend on either Saturday or Sunday, to celebrate all things beautiful and handmade, with the only condition you come and say hi!!

Alternatively, head to https://www.localiqevents.co.uk/events/cumbria-life-home-gift-fair-10-23-2026 to book your tickets if all of ours have been snaffled up!