Let ELF Glass lift your feelings.
In my professional life over decades I had seen first hand the way that life can get people down, for a whole range of reasons. And then more recently how the constant bombardment of media and social media can make the world seem a dangerous place – it creates a new reality for each of us which is not necessarily true. Over the decades I have realised how important it is to “grab life” at every transition or stage that we go through and written books about that based on 1000’s of peoples experiences whom I have listened to.
I grew up blessed with a wonderful family, but in an environment which limited all your aspirations. After trauma, and in mid teens I stood one day in a room and sun streamed through a stained glass window.
Suddenly I had this feeling that life, my surroundings and the future were not grim. And everything changed.
Over time I saw many people who were uplifted by light, sunsets, rainbows, aurora, filtered light, light within storms and so on. And in my work, the recognising and supporting of people with potential and innovation became paramount.
The effect of light
Some might see the effect of light as quite spiritual:
numerous cultures have celebrated with light to lift spirits. In ancient times church windows used stained glass to create feelings of wonder and hope.
Others feel the effect of light, sometimes thinking they just “see” it (as in a sunset), but in fact its a feeling that lingers.
But it can also be just a physical characteristic of light: The scientist of course knows that light is energy and that it has the ability to change, and even to change what it shows or goes through, so it has inherent properties and affects everything.
Years of observing and experimenting
I spent 20 years learning how to create kiln fused and handmade glass bowls, platters and objects. This was originally to challenge myself to learn something totally new.
In the last few years I did countless experiments to try to replicate the positive feeling one gets when light goes through stained glass windows. And then the many disasters (a feature of experimental glass work!) stopped and it happened.
I create ELF Glass. Light hits the glass and becomes visible. The colours and patterns that then occur lift ones spirit.
The process
Technically it is a long process taking three weeks per item. The colours have to be chosen and flowed together; the internally smooth nature and external smooth face of the glass has to be changed to create internal and external undulations to refract, reflect, transmit light; the curvature has to be just right , produced by heat and gravity; the edges have to be ground and polished to perfection.
Every one is handmade and kiln fused 3-4 times. Each one is unique.
I realised that these little ELF glass bowl creations could lift peoples moods and spirits.
Like the way the magical Elf shared kindness, each time you purchase an ELF glass creation it makes eyesight possible for someone and changes their life. Over 400 eyes to date.
Come and let light make you feel good. Every August. South Australia.
My thanks to Bullseye Glass, to the owners and team who for decades have created amazing handmade glass and given astounding support over the decades to artists. Amanda Simmons training in gravity drops; Nathan Sandberg in Murrini; Kate Baker and Kirstie Rae in imagery; Brenda Page for years of support to glass artists and Narcissus Quagliatta (one of the Maestros of glass globally) for pushing my learning and innovation beyond boundaries. And to you who enjoy it, and particularly if you take a piece home or to your work and enjoy how it makes you feel.
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