Contemporary fused glass & lampwork bead artist, specialising in wall art, splashbacks, memorial jewellery & workshops. Based in Sandridge, St Albans

With a passion for glass, attention to detail and a reluctance to back down from a challenge, Sandridge based Heartwood Glass not only creates bespoke handmade fused glass art, splashbacks and memorial jewellery, but following ‘school’ in Murano pushes the boundaries of heat and gravity to control, blend and shape molten glass in a flame.

What started out as outlet for creativity, has progressed through continual development alongside glass masters from around the world, to crafting contemporary glass designs inspired by playing with light, nature and the desire to keep advancing within the glass medium.

Heartwood Glass brings ‘Glassy Love’ to all through individual pieces crafted with love and attention to detail, encouragement to get out and about in Herts and find “HeART Abandonments”, or for those that want to try the medium through face to face, make at home or virtual workshops created to suit all ages.

Nature, colour, texture, light and story-telling all lend themselves as themes for my photography and woven tapestries; imagery to draw the viewer in.
I am a textile artist specializing in woven tapestry. I trained at Central St Martins in London and initially worked in Theatre Design and costume, but for the last thirty years I've been weaving and spinning, and occasional yarn dyeing. My focus for the last twenty years has been on Tapestry as I found it to be such as expressive medium.
I also use a lot of photography to help form my ideas for weaving including macro images that help to suggest textures and abstracts that lend themselves to symbolism. From there I will often do further sketching and painting, or manipulation of the imagery in Photoshop.
Recently I have also found myself weaving imagery relating to social or environmental concerns as I also see tapestry as a means of story-telling and communication.
I am currently a member of the British Tapestry Association, including being on their committee. I am also a member of the Herts Textile Arts group and the National Association of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.
I give talks and demonstrations to various groups and schools. If you are interesting in a site-specific commission please contact me for further details.

Jackie creates small and unique sculptures of animals and birds using the slow, therapeutic technique of needlefelting. Commissions welcome!

The versatility of working with wool really appeals to Jackie. Wool is light, strong and easy to transport, so she has the freedom to work anywhere (as long as it's not too windy)! She has a special interest in the natural world and is keen to capture the character, movement, texture and pattern of her subjects, usually working from the many drawings and paintings in her sketchbooks. Her finished pieces are sometimes embellished with scraps of fabric and threads and are usually mounted on found wood and natural objects.

Jackie's work is on show regularly in local galleries, museums and craft fairs. Her needlefelting workshops, which cater for all abilities, give her the joyful experience of sharing her skills with others. She is a member of the International Feltmakers Association.

Inspired by a love of nature, Heather’s aim as an artist is to engage and intrigue the viewer and draw them into her work. She mindfully explores colour and light in each painting, conscious of how these elements lift the spirit and encourage connection with the subject.
The seasons, water and changing light all provide rich influences on her art. Her paintings are an emotional response to what she sees rather than a facsimile encouraging the viewer to find something different each time they look. She works chiefly in acrylics and acrylic inks which lend themselves to working quickly and expressively with a glorious array of colours.
As well as working as an artist Heather demonstrates her working process to art societies around the UK and has also taught at the JoeDaisy Studio in Reading. She regularly exhibits at Contemporary Art Fairs, The Mardleybury Gallery and various art shows.

Her paintings can be viewed on my website: www.heathermillerpaintings.com. Follow her on instagram at: heathermillerpaintings