ELIZABETH WELCH
Elizabeth began her fascination with glass in 2009, graduating with Ceramics and Glass from Bucks New University.
Glass is both a solid and a liquid, it is beautiful and fragile, yet can be dangerous and strong, it is a magical material in both its molten and solid state. Working with Hot Glass forces her to intuitively and actively engage with the material. Each piece is a partnership between herself and the material. The connection between mind and hands, the flow of the material and her own emotions results in a piece of work that expresses her inner self.
She makes her work using two hot glass techniques. Glass blowing and Lampwork. The two techniques give her two distinct bodies of work.
She specialised in Glass blowing at University and further developed her blown work at Bournemouth and Poole College. She continues to design and make pieces as part of a team with Christiaan D. Maas and Ian Bamforth. Elizabeth then discovered Borosilicate Glass Lamp working and set up a small studio, with the help of the Princes Trust Enterprise Programme in 2012. She has since established herself as a glass designer/maker. Becoming a member of The Surrey Guild of Craftsmen and being accepted as a Freeman to the Worshipful Company of Glaziers. She exhibits nationally through craft shows, shops and galleries and has also begun to teach lamp-working.
Elizabeth is always looking to expand her skills and knowledge, and to take her designs in new and exciting directions. Having returned from a winter class with Suellen Fowler at Corning Museum of Glass, USA full of inspiration, she is very excited to begin the next phase of her creative practice.
