Claire Lake
Kiln fused glass artist
I work with kiln fused glass in my Ackworth studio creating a range of items for the home, gifts and garden pieces as well as large scale kitchen splashbacks and statement lighting. I supply work to local outlets, the Craft Centre and Design Gallery in Leeds, Cupola Gallery in Sheffield and am also one of Masato Jones online collective.
Originally I trained in ceramics at Wolverhampton Polytechnic after my Foundation course at Wakefield many moons ago. I subsequently went into teaching and specialized in shaping the lives of pupils with many forms of additional needs. Throughout this time I continued my creative pursuits taking part in exhibitions and events being a member of the Northern Potters Association but a chance workshop in kiln fused glass sparked a whole new direction to my work and resulted in a new studio, glass kiln and small business! Now also being a member of the Contemporary Glass Society has brought new opportunities my way including being featured in the Yorkshire Post Magazine recently.
Lockdown brought many challenges to small businesses but it also brought a wider appreciation of the craft scene as many wanted to try new things with time to experiment and escape the mundane so my business accommodated these changes to create home craft kits which introduced me to a whole new eager audience.
I’m always up for a challenge, love to experiment and happy to take commissions. A recent collaboration with Wild Wood Pet Cremations has opened another avenue in providing beautiful memorial pieces with ashes encapsulated within the glass.
Never close your mind to possibilities, imagination is the only limitation!
I’d love to work with architects for large scale art installations, my ‘Nebulous’ series was well received at the Museum of the Moon event in 2019. Collaboration with kitchen/ interior designers or housing developers to create a splashback range for new home owners to choose from would be amazing and add the finishing touch to any wall space or provide a unique lighting solution. I’d also be extremely happy to produce a gift range for shops such as the National Trust/RNLI and similar or work with local businesses to produce corporate gifts or awards. If its a beautiful, tactile, unique glass product you’re after just throw your thoughts at me!
I’m not actually a very outgoing person.
Having an article written about me which was positioned in the magazine ahead of one on Alan Titchmarsh!
Aside from any large scale and prestigious art installations, I’d be very happy with supplying regular orders to gallery/museum gift shops. It’s just a joy to be in the studio with a purpose.
