Ironically in this, the International Year of Glass, Wolverhampton announces the end of over 150 years of arts courses, which began in Stourbridge in 18511. Our glass industry dates back over 400 years, with an international heritage of making important contributions to arts and sciences. An open letter to Margaret Ayliffe the Head of WSoA,Continue reading “The end of an era for glass learning in Stourbridge? Wolverhampton School of Art closes their Glass and ceramics courses!!”
Author Archives: Kate Round
The Role of Women in the Glass Industry
Talk for the Contemporary Glass Society to commemorate International Women’s Day 2020 Celebrated each year on 8th March, the 2020 theme was “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow“ Introduction: Historically women have had difficulty finding support in many art mediums. Traditionally: pottery weaving, embroidery, and china painting; female sculptors, metal casting or fabrications wereContinue reading “The Role of Women in the Glass Industry”
Thomas and George Woodall Masters of Cameo
Talk to the Contemporary Glass Society with the emphasis of Professionalism What was life like in a small community on the edge of the Black Country during the reign of Queen Victoria, a period of great Industrial progress and social advancement. Thomas and George Woodall were ordinary working men, with artistic talents which they employedContinue reading “Thomas and George Woodall Masters of Cameo”
A Mystery Uncovered
Do you believe in ghosts? many people do and occasionally information is discovered which sheds a light on hitherto unexplained phenomena. This is one such tale. It is the story of an accident which happened in 1835, causing the death of Thomas Hammonds, an apprentice at The White House Glass Works in Wordsley; Thomas wasContinue reading “A Mystery Uncovered”
A Dreadful Accident
Industrial accidents were not uncommon in the glass industry, as in many industries. They were often unrecorded and unreported unless they were so dreadful, they merited reporting in the local press. On the 9th December 1893 the County Express reported on the funerals of two men, Albert Ryder and Enoch Oliver, killed in a BrierleyContinue reading “A Dreadful Accident”
Bibliography
Author Title Date Publisher Allen G C The Ind Development of B’ham & The Black Country 1860-1927 1966 Frank Cass & Co Ltd Arwas V. Glass: Art Nouveau to Art Deco 1987 Academy Editions Barry Bridgit Glass: Art Nouveau to Art Deco 1985 BBC Benson Nigel Millers: Glass of the 50’s & 60’s 2002 MillersContinue reading “Bibliography”
Hazards and Diseases
Many industries used hazardous materials that caused illness and disease. Before regulations introduced by The Factories Acts and current Health and Safety regulations, these noxious substances were not controlled and there was no protective clothing issued to workers. In the glass industry the most toxic materials used were red lead, putty powder, and acid. DiseasesContinue reading “Hazards and Diseases”
Friggers
Also known as whimseys in the United States, are glass oddities or ornaments, made by glassworkers in their downtime, and using the poorer quality metal in the bottom of the glass pot, known as tail-glass, or end-of-day glass. This practice of making novelties or friggers, was actively encouraged by the factory owners for two reasons.Continue reading “Friggers”
In The Melting Pot
The clay pots or crucibles used by glass-makers in Stourbridge were made from clay sourced locally. It is the reason that the Huguenot glass-makers settled in the area. The clay was particularly fine, without impurities that would otherwise cause the pots to fracture in the heat of the furnace. The shape of the pot suitedContinue reading “In The Melting Pot”
Gathers, Gobs and Bits.
A gather of glass is the volume of molten glass needed to be drawn from the pot in the furnace by the glassblower, to work into the preliminary shape. Often more glass is needed to add handles, stems or embellishments. We have imperial and metric units to measure solids and liquids, weights and volumes canContinue reading “Gathers, Gobs and Bits.”
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