Hand Blown Glass
Martin Andrews

Martin’s hand blown glass is renowned for its high quality, attention to detail and innovative surface treatments. His designs often have a tactile and fresh approach. Inspired by the natural world around him and most recently, by a trip to fascinating Borneo.

For 2009 Martin has launched a range of ambient lighting, which have been admired at recent exhibitions.

He explores the qualities of the molten glass, clear and coloured, manipulating this amazing material at temperatures up to 1150 degrees centigrade. Investigating the relationship between light and a given form, has been a continual theme over his 17 year career.

He graduated from West Surrey College of Art & Design in 1991 in Glass with BA (hons), before an apprenticeship in Sweden with glass artist Asa Brandt. He then returned and was based in London for seven years, as a glass artist. In 2000 he opened his current workshop at The Ruskin Centre, in Stourbridge, where visitors can also see the work being made. He also sells his glass in galleries throughout the UK. Also at the workshop, we give glass blowing lessons at all levels. Gift vouchers are also available.

Martin has also worked with architects and interior designers on public and private buildings. Recent commissions have included a large Cross made from sheets of engraved and sandblasted sheets of 10 mm thick sheets and weighing 100 kg. He also worked with ITV, making table lighting for the Hell’s Kitchen programme, with Marco Pierre White and presented by Angus Deayton.

Martin is also available for demonstrations, talks and tuition at his workshop. A 3 hour lesson costs £ 115 based on two people. Corporate groups are also catered for. Commissions are also undertaken. Martin is currently working on a glass cross. Contact Martin for further details.

The Cross, Commission 2005 2.4 m x 1.6 Sandblasted and engraved sheets of 10 mm glass, hanging from beam in side naive	Twisted perfume bottles Hand blown glass with clear stopper, available in cobalt blue, aquamarine, moss green, lime green, amethyst purple, gold topaz, clear. 15 cm tall £ 66 each	Stone series aqua / brown group Flat vase form in 3 sizes from £ 59 Perfume bottle with long clear stopper. One size £ 72
Stone series aqua / brown enclosed vase form 2 sizes available from £ 72	Stone series aqua / brown V form 3 sizes available from £ 59	Erosion form, Blue lying
Erosion Form Red standing form on slate Hand blown glass, carved and sand blasted finish, standing on slate. Size: 30 cm tall £ 495.00	Salsa Purple flat vase	Stone Series blue bowl
Glass baubles	Aqua Series large bowl	Martin at work

An Introduction to Hot Glassblowing:

We offer beginners and intermediate lessons, for more experienced students, as evening classes and full day courses.
This course is intended to introduce you to the wonderful and amazing properties of molten glass.

The courses take place at Martin’s workshop at The Ruskin Glass Centre in Stourbridge. He has been providing glassblowing lessons for over 10 years, in addition to making his own work. Martin aims to provide an individualised teaching for each student. The emphasis on the class will be to provide you with hands on experience. You will cover the basics of hot glass making within the workshop including: gathering, shaping and forming. Learning to develop hand eye co-ordination and rhythm to turn, stretch and control the molten glass. You will start making solid forms, before progressing to blowing the glass to create bowls, vases and other forms.

Through demonstrations and close supervision, you will quickly gain a basic understanding of the molten glass and gain confidence in being able to manipulate this amazing syrupy material. Working in a small team, you will set out to discover different approaches to working with the hot glass. You will explore form, texture, colour and pattern to create a series of solid and blown items. You will learn about the movement, timing and communication needed by the glassmaker to create original and inspiring pieces.

This one-day class, or series of classes will allow you to develop your own ideas through discussion, research, drawing and making. The class will be divided between demonstrations, supervised work time and idea development. The emphasis will be on individual attention for each student to enable you to play, investigate and realise your ideas. Naturally you get to keep your artistic creations.

You will find this to be a unique and enjoyable experience and will want to explore it further. We are happy to teach individuals with any level of experience and complete beginners.

Evening Lesson: 6-9 pm cost @ £ 115.00 per person
Book a group of five lessons for £ 525.00

Full day lesson 10-1pm and 2-5pm @ £ 245.00
Includes lunch at our onsite organic café

. As a special present Gift vouchers are available.

Only 4 students are taught at any one time, therefore instruction is intensive and by all accounts most enjoyable! The cost includes tuition, materials and use of tools. Payment is required with booking. We can also cater for corporate and group bookings. For professional glassmakers we offer studio hire and glassmaking facilities.

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