Rambling Rector Stained Glass Window

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I loved making this stained glass window. In the depths of the chilly early part of 2021, we were still locked in and couldn’t go anywhere or see anyone.

I cut and painted every rose and used mouth blown antique stained glass. I used silver stain for the stamens.

By the time I completed the panel in late May, my own Rambling Rector was flowering.

Reader, I loved the discovery of this old rose so much, I bought one!

Rambling Rector gave me a flowers throughout June. Scented my way to and from the workshop and was a total joy.

It will hopefully climb over the arbour it’s planted next to on the way up to the workshop.

This stained glass window will be fitted into a newly built house.

 

 

His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO Visits Surrey Hills Enterprises

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PRESS RELEASE

November 6th 2019

Royal Visit to Showcase Surrey Hills Enterprises

In acknowledgement of the outstanding work of localbusinesses, Surrey Hills Enterprises were delighted to be visited by HRH The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO on November 6th.

The Royal Visit was a wonderful recognition of the growing reputation and development of the Surrey Hills as a hub of innovative, high quality, sustainable, local products and services. During the visit, His Royal Highness had the opportunity to meet many of the outstanding arts, crafts, food and drink producers who have all been awarded the TradeMark Surrey Hills – an accreditation and Mark of local provenance, quality and sustainability. The Trade Mark is awarded by Surrey Hills Enterprises, a Community Interest Company whose core activities are focused on building a strong local economy and tourism industry through ‘clean growth’, support of rural businesses and environmental sustainability.

The Royal Visit included a showcase of Surrey Hills food, wine, cheese and coffee and His Royal Highness was presented with a hamper full of delicious treats celebrating the variety and quality of local, sustainable produce.

Simon Whalley, Chairman of Surrey Hills Enterprises stated:

“This is a very exciting time in the development of the Surrey Hills Brand and the Royal visit is testimony to the importance of supporting and developing rural businesses as a conduit to developing an even stronger local economy, which in turn can then help support the protected environment of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

We are delighted that the recognition received by this Royal Visit will help inspire our local community to support their local businesses and become more aware of the range and quality of local produce.”

Since the launch of the Surrey Hills Trade Mark in 2018, there are now over 100 businesses who demonstrate the best of what Surrey has to offer whilst meeting the required criteria of local providence, sustainability and qualityA small selection of the outstanding 100+ enterprisesparticipated in the visit including Ruth Wheeler – Wood Sculptor & Pyrographer; Rosanna Gethin – leather craft worker; Amanda Winfield – Abinger Stained Glass; Adam Aaronson – Glass Studio; Caroline Hill – Sweet C’s Chocolates; Jack Kerr – Blacksmith; The Surrey Hills Adventure Company; The Salt Box; Trustees of the Wey & Arun Canal; Shere Kitchens; Norbury Blue Cheese; Mandira’s Kitchen; Albury Organic Vineyard; Greyfriars Vineyard;Clandon Vineyard; Chilworth Manor; Denbies Wine Estate;Hill House Farm; Coverwood Farm; Chalk Hills Bakery and Chimney Fire Coffee. Details of these and all other Trade Marked Members are available at www.surreyhills.o

The Royal Visit was a real celebration of the high quality that reflects the distinct and special nature of the Surrey HillsBrand.

With grateful thanks to our Corporate Partners for all their support : Birtley House, Lexus Guildford, Charles Russell Speechleys, Wilkins Kennedy, Gatwick Airport, Watts Family, Keir

Exciting New Class!

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I am thrilled to announce a new course I am co hosting with Derek Hunt of Limelight Studios. The course is a three day stained glass school where you will learn all about the medieval craft of stained glass.

 

TREES

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At this time of year, more so than at others, our gaze is drawn to the wonderful colours of the changing trees. Here in The Surrey Hills http://www.surreyhills.org we are so luck to live within the most wooded county in England. Trees as far as the eye can see.
As a stained glass artists I am often  asked to portray these in glass. 
 

I have no shortage of inspiration here! I just have to walk out of my door and here they all are.

The amazing lightning oak tree behind my workshop is still clinging to life with a third of it in full leaf.

                                 

The view from the woods towards the North Downs on a bluebelly day with the tree trunks providing  strength and light and shade to the image.

                            

The mixed woodland at the edge of the field behind the workshop on a sunny summer day with my beloved beech tree in stretching down and providing essential shade.

                                    
The long autumn shadows of the Scots pine and the gradual turning of the leaves.

                                    
And a tree of memories, The Upside Down tree where the children played for hours.
You see I could go on!

Trees are not just essential for the life of our planet but many were revered in ancient times for their mystical and magical properties. Such myth and folklore surround them that we should perhaps listen to the knowledge of our ancestors.


Hazel
A wand cut from a hazel can be used for dowsing and divination. The countrywise use hazel twigs for bean poles, twigs for peas and for making wattle fence panels.
The Romans used supple hazel twigs for tying vines to stakes and in the Middle ages hazel was burnt to make charcoal.
In modern times hazel branches have been used to construct shuttlers called ‘benders’. Long hazel poles are ties together and then a tarpaulin is stretched over the top.
Tying a hazel twig to a horse’s harness was a traditional way of protecting the horse from enchantment by fairies. But probably best of all is that the hazel is thought to be the tree of immortality and is especially revered for the nuts which were believed to carry all wisdom.
Maybe this is why the little dormouse so prefers to be beside the hazel as his habitat!
http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/hazel/

Oak
Who doesn’t love and beautiful oak tree? I was taught to recognise these gorgeous trees in winter by looking out for the branches which look like knees and elbows. And they do….This is the lighting oak before it was struck.
                                

                                   
The oak tree hosts by far the most other species of life than any other tree. It is in itself a habitat and is often called the ‘garden of the country’. Traditionally couples were married under an oak tree long before the Christians substituted marriage in a church. The tree is known for its warmth and friendliness and is regarded as the emblem of hospitality and strength.
The very earliest spirits of Greek mythology were called dryads, oak-tree spirits and it was once believed that the oak was the first tree created by God from which spang the entire human race.
The druids were known as the wise men of the oak and the title ‘druid’ is most likely derived from duir, the Old Irish/Gaelic name for oak.
The wood of the oak , as well as being incredibly strong is renowned for its beauty of grain and texture and its rich colour after polishing. Oak has been used for centuries for building and for making furniture. 

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/english-oak/

These two native trees are ubiquitous here in the Surrey Hills but the oak surely has to be the most iconic and interestingly the one I am most asked to portray in glass.

Here is a film made last year showing the life of an oak tree throughout a whole year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06fq03t/oak-tree-natures-greatest-survivor

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Last month I was asked by Velux, The Daylight Project, to write a small article on how light affects my work. In amongst all the information I was conveying, I failed to add that as the days get longer so my energy levels rise! Spring has well and truly sprung and here in The Surrey Hills the light is fabulous.
The woods are full off the most amazing sea of Bluebells, the blue haze disappears off into the distance and inspires. There is a spring in my step.

here is a link to the post

http://www.thedaylightproject.co.uk/content/daylight-through-tinted-glasses

Take Time to Smell the Flowers

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A bit of a sad reflective Blog today. A few weeks ago one of my close friends died suddenly. We hadn’t seen him for about a year but still think of him and his wife as close and dearly loved friends.
He was born in the same year as me and so it focusses the mind somewhat when this happens. I have never seen a church so full as was the one for his memorial service. So well loved was he.
 I don’t normally Blog about personal issues as lets face it no one is THAT interested! However this event has made me take stock. 

I am a very busy stained glass artist working hard to make a living and keep the roof over our heads and food on the table. This has never been a highly paid profession and still remains very hard work, as are all crafts if you do them properly.
But, I have decided:-when my daughters come home from school and want my time , they will have it. 
When my husband wants a cuppa and a chat, he will have it.
When Floss looks lovingly at me and says she needs another walk, she will have it. 
When I spot a day out, a visit that just has to be done, I will do it. 

I will drink the tea and chat to my friends. I will make time because that is the one thing we don’t have too much of.

So if you are waiting for a commission, a design or an appointment please bear with me, it will happen. I love my job and am totally committed to making your windows the best and most beautiful they can be but we all need moments to recharge and we all need to take time to smell the flowers.