Our Glasswitchery Journey

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Many, many years ago (around 40!) two netballing friends (we are Annie and Dale) saw a one day stained glass course advertised and thought it would be a fun day out.  Little did we realise that this would be the start of a fabulous journey to finally arrive at Glasswitchery as we know it today. 

Starting with the proud production of that copper foiled and soldered (very simple) stained glass butterfly, and a subsequent setting up (in the shed at the bottom of the garden with a bare minimum of necessary, expensive equipment), that initial interest developed into a fascinating hobby, and a life-long passion for glass. 

We attended many more courses and workshops, learning all the techniques of glass cutting, copper foiling and soldering. (As well as how to ‘bandage and go’ the myriad cuts, and the best ways to salve constantly burned fingers and hands until soldering was mastered). 

After around two years, we were able to confidently claim that we were (fairly accomplished) hobbyists.  (All output passed on to family and friends, who were possibly slightly dismayed by receiving yet another suncatcher/picture/fancy mirror for their birthday or Christmas present!)    At this stage we were persuaded by a friend to have a craft stall at her charity event, and we were amazed and thrilled that people liked our work enough to actually buy it. From that time, we regularly sold at craft fairs for a number of years. 

We progressed through leaded glass (allowing us to make much larger pieces than feasible with copper foiling), and around 1995 we decided to delve into the newly developing fused glass hobby market, then just making its way across the Atlantic.  This was a big step up in terms of equipment (kilns are not cheap, and neither are they small!)  So, we attended many training courses, invested in a kiln and a small range of the specialist glass needed for fusing.  (This comes mostly from America/Mexico, and has to be technically certified to ensure its CoE – Coefficient of Expansion, ensuring it will play nicely in the kiln).

Once more, we expanded our knowledge and skills in this fascinating new project and sold the products at craft markets to finance our developing hobby. 

Some five years ago we were asked by a friend who has a ceramic pottery painting shop if we’d run a workshop at her studios – she had many people asking for a fused glass workshop.  So, with trepidation and interest we ran a pilot course for 10 people – who all made a seascape and a funky hanging animal.  We were totally amazed at the success of this first workshop – and Glasswitchery as we know it was born!

We have been running highly popular workshops ever since – with two series of five workshops each year: Spring/Summer and Autumn/Christmas.  These have been held at many local venues: Stroud Brewery; Stroud Cricket Club: Dixie Dots Ceramic Studios; various Community Halls – and even in the large kitchen of a farmhouse!

For 2025 however we have now a specially built studio in the garden, from which we can run smaller workshops, and at appropriately convenient times for all our attendees. 

Have a look at our suggested workshops  and come and join us for a fun few hours - we’d love to see you here for a session, tailored to your requirements!