NASA used the properties of this glass on the windows of space vehicles, and now glass artists can use this wonderful, magical medium for you to wear as delicious jewellery - amazing!
2/8/2007 - Written by me for Penny Barkers web site - www.prettycreativeathawthornlane.com
A LOVE AFFAIR WITH GLASS
"Since I was a little girl I have always been `crafty!` Always painting, creating, making things from scraps & glue, and as I got older that never really stopped. I would make bead jewellery, fimo animals, tie-dye, painted furniture etc. Then I saw a piece of dichroic glass and fell in love with it, was desperate to discover its secrets and develop it into my own style. I went on a w/e course to see if it was for me. I had a wonderful time, and after that 2 day introduction went home and bought a kiln straight away! I turned my third bedroom into a small studio and soon had all the tools I needed to begin! I had found my niche in life, and my relationship with dichroic glass began. Each little piece I create is special to me, a lot of work and love goes into everything I do, and it can be very difficult to part with some of the creations! I enjoy producing unusual & intricate pieces, and hardly ever start one with an idea in mind, the shape & colour of the glass leads the design, and I am often surprised at the outcome!
I love to use beautiful, bright ribbon with the pendants, to really bring out the colours in the glass and ensure the piece is eye-catching, original & unique. Each item is a one-off, people love to know they`re wearing something that is exclusive to them. I like to think that if you are wearing something of mine, whether it be a necklace, earrings, hairslide, bracelet or cufflinks, it will be a talking point!
I take a lot of my inspiration from the sea, nature, & fairy tales, using colours and shapes that signify these things to me."
02/08/07 - Written By Penny Barker - (Thank you so much for your lovely comments!) www.prettycreativeathawthornlane.com
I am a great fan of dichroic glass and even more so of the talented people who create it. Hillary Thompson is one such person, creating dichroic glass jewellery from her studio in Wiltshire and selling it through her company Chaotic Rainbow.
I love the way she melds the colours to sparkle and shimmer, complemented by the pretty satin ribbons she uses to string her jewellery from.
Visit her website www.chaoticrainbow.com and be enthralled and inspired by the beauty of her dichroic creations! Hardly ever getting time to create jewellery how I once envisaged I would, I stand in awe and am inspired by the talents of others.
Hillary has a talent that I truly admire, being fascinated by dichroic glass making and I am proud to showcase her work.
Take a look and be inspired! I am pleased to be able to display examples of Hillarys dichroic glass creations.
Each piece of jewellery she makes is unique and she is available for commission, should you have an idea for a piece of jewellery.
Here you see many pieces waiting with bated breath to get their first kiln firing! This will be a tack-fuse programme, a process that will `stick` (tack) the glass components together, without melting completely.
These little guys are proving to be popular creatures, getting lots of nice comments from you, so I thought you might appreciate a bigger image of the tribe - lots of different ones in the family, which one will be yours?
Some lovely things you`ve said about the jewellery you`ve bought - thank you.
"The cufflinks arrived a couple of days ago, and I'm very happy with them indeed! They're really lovely. Since you ask why I bought so many, I'm getting married in August and they're presents for the fathers, best man, ushers and so on. I'm sure they'll be happy with them!"
Richard, Cambridge
"Hi, just to say necklace arrived safely and I love it!"
Marita, Kent.
"Every time I wear it, people comment on how beautiful it is..." Jackie, Wiltshire.
"I received it on Saturday morning, its gorgeous..."
Andrea, Liverpool.
" Its lovely, I`ll be back for more!"
Jenny, Wiltshire.
"The colours were so lovely, I just had to have another one!" Stephanie, Perthshire & Kinross.
(I`d like to say a big "Thank you!" to Stephanie in particular, who is my best customer, returning time after time - I do appreciate it.)
"Thanks for sending me the necklace - it arrived on Friday. It's absolutely
gorgeous!"
Laura, Buckinghamshire
"...arrived safe and sound...I've worn it twice, and both times received numerous compliments. I like it so much, I was planning on coming back for one of the white and pink colored pendants I saw earlier. Thank you for a unique, interesting and one-of-a-kind piece. I also told the girls where I do my grocery shopping about you, so maybe you'll see some business come in from Mystic, CT as well."
Irene, Connecticut, USA
"Thank you so much. The two pendants arrived safely and they are absolutely
beautiful. I have no doubt they will be much treasured by both my friends."
Gill, Taunton, Somerset
Hillary - thank you! It arrived safely on Saturday morning - great service.
It's lovely, it's for a friend's 40th birthday - she'll love it. I'll be back
visiting your site before too long I think - there's some really lovely and
unusual stuff there.
Debbie, Aberdeen
"Hillary,Both orders received
safely and the items are fab….
The first order was for
Christmas presents but I liked them too much so they are for
me!"
Your website is on my
favourites list so will be back.
Tricia, Surrey
I thought this was a great idea (See image below) - this gentleman saw a pair of cufflinks he liked on the site and requested six pairs in total - he was having a red theme wedding and thought these would make ideal presents for himself, the best man, father of the bride etc. I even made his dichro bug to match! Let me know if you would like any special sets made. And congratulations, Michael!
