A North East artist is capturing the beauty of nature in incredible hand-painted glassware that can be found at galleries, gift shops and markets in the region.
Carol Nicholson from Blyth has been painting for over 40 years. “I have always been very artistic and crafty from when I was a child - always doodling, chalking, or looking for a new craft or getting excited receiving new pencils and drawing paper,” she told ChronicleLive.
Having previously worked in the journalism industry since she was just 17, Carol was unfortunately made redundant as a supervisor in 2012 - but the setback prompted her to set up her own business pursuing her passion for art. She decided to specialise in hand-painted glassware, to bring something different to the market in the form of unique but affordable gifts inspired by the world around her.
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“My inspiration for the designs comes from my surroundings, a vivid imagination and a very creative busy mind,” Carol said. “I also look at the shape of the glass and sometimes a design comes to mind to suit the shape perfectly.”
All of the glassware at Carol's Art Studio of Glass is individually designed, hand painted and then heat treated, involving various complex techniques - including reverse painting, which is used on window paintings to ensure the image looks the same from both sides. Carol's creations include glasses, vases, candle holders, statement pieces and glass paintings in handmade frames.
Having previously housed her art in a gallery in Hexham's historic Moothall for a decade, Carol's work can now be found at Tynemouth Market every Sunday, as well as Alnwick Market on Thursdays, Coxhoe gift shop Wing and a Prayer, and in the North East Art Collective gallery in Newcastle's Eldon Garden shopping centre. She has also expanded her business online, selling her creations on Etsy and building an impressive following on Facebook and Instagram.
Keeping going has not been easy for any small business owner over the last few years, what with the double hit of Covid and the cost of living crisis - but Carol maintains a positive outlook. “I love my business and enjoy the challenge of the ever-changing commercial environment and spending habits,” the artist said.
“I find myself having to make very brave, hard decisions and keep reinventing to keep up with demand and the peaks and troughs,” she admitted. But she is no stranger to making it through tough times.
“Tynemouth market was the first place I displayed my glassware 11 years ago - 30 pieces on one table, in the middle of winter, in the middle of a recession!” she recalled. “I love Tynemouth market - it's vibrant and busy, I get most of my commission-based work from the market, including bespoke windows and wedding tableware, I can create any design to order and customers know where to find me.”
Carol also runs glass paint courses which attract budding creatives from all over the country, featuring talks and demonstrations to give others the opportunity to learn more about the craft and even try it out for themselves. “The talks and demonstrations invite the listener on a journey, from the conception of a small business to date and everything in between,” Carol explained.
“The talks are stripped back to basics and delivered with complete honesty about how Art Studio of Glass has evolved, warts and all - this gives a great insight to anyone setting up or dabbling in a hobby that they may want to take a step further.” You can find out more about Carol's stunning work and shop her creations on her Art Studio of Glass website.
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