Over the weekend, I had fun making this cute pair of owls, which were commissioned by a friend. I love making bespoke glass, especially when people challenge me to come up with new designs.

I like to involve my clients in the design of their glass so I know exactly what they’d like. Together, my friend and I came up with a plan for two cartoony owls in orange and yellow, sitting on tree branches on a blue background. We agreed a price for a piece about 10x30cm, which would be folded over a mould so it would stand on its own. The final picture would be 10x20cm, with a base about 10cm squared.

First I chose the glass I would use. This picture shows the coloured glass for the owls with card templates on top. I had some small ready cut white circles which I thought would work well for the owls’ eyes.

I drew round the templates with a Sharpie then scored and broke the glass to make the owl shapes. Concave cuts are difficult and I was unsure how to best to cut the glass between the ears and remove it without breaking the owl. Thankfully, Brian at North Wales Creative Glass Studios, where I went for a 2-day course before Christmas, was happy to give me a few tips.

I then cut the glass for the background. I used a 10x30cm piece of clear glass for the backing and put the blue glass on top. The coloured glass I use is only 25cm long so I made up the extra 5cm with clear glass. In the finished piece, it’d be out of sight on the base.

Next it was time to do the details. I cut wings, beaks and tree branches, smoothing any sharp edges with my grinder. I bought the grinder in a Christmas offer in December and this was the first time I’d used it for an order. It’s made cutting shapes so much easier and I love it!

Some pre made black dots for the owls’ eyes, powders for their feathers and frit for leaves, and the picture was ready for everything to be fused together in the kiln.

The flat piece of glass was then fired a second time on top of a stainless steel mould to fold the end so it would stand up on its own. Each firing is done overnight. It isn’t a quick process and sometimes it’s frustrating waiting for the glass to cool. I’m always excited to open the kiln to see if everything’s worked as I planned.

I wasn’t disappointed this time. I love the owls, the piece stands up beautifully, and the transparent blue glass looks lovely with light from a candle or window through it. I hope my friend likes it as much as I do.