Kiln-formed glass made in Sussex by Becky H
THE BEACHSIDE KILN
Connecting folklore, science and the natural world through glass
ME AND MY WORK
I fell in love with glass during a trip to the Kosta Boda glass blowing factory in Sweden at the age of 10. A brief flirtation with glass blowing several years later proved that a love for making was definitely there, but also that hot shop glass isn't a practical home hobby! I eventually invested in a kiln and now mainly produce decorative glass vessels using a specific kiln-forming technique that gives fused glass a look and feel close to that of blown glass.
My work explores the relationship between folklore, the natural world and science: Everything from Ley Lines to reflecting pools; the turn of the seasons to the planting cycles that provide our food; the origin of medicines to the life-sustaining wonder of fungi and lichens. Just like the environments that influence my designs, my work is tactile as well as visual: It invites you to look, feel and form a connection that captures your imagination, hopefully for years to come.
MY PROCESS
MATERIALS
I work almost exclusively with Bullseye Glass, which is handcrafted in Portland, Oregon. I buy my supplies in the UK from a B Corp company so I am sure of transparency around their social and environmental impact.
My glass vessels are made using Bullseye sheet glass and glass powders. For seasonal and small decorations I often use picture frame glass, which I collect throughout the year; your broken picture frame is my Christmas star! Sustainability and recycling are important to me and this is one way I can demonstrate that in my practice.
DESIGN
I use colour, texture and shape to tell stories that people can form a joyous connection to. The tales behind most of my pieces are rooted in the relationship between folklore, nature and science. If the viewer is drawn to that as well as to the piece itself, that's an extra bonus!
Many things help me design my pieces including sketches, photos, found objects, folktales and local history, as well as knowledge of the chemistry and physics of glass. I really enjoy both the creative and the technical challenges of glasswork.
WHERE TO FIND ME
2026
Ongoing: Gigglewick Gallery, Worthing, West Sussex
February, July / August, October: Gallery UNO - Sussex Arts Collective, Seaford, East Sussex
May 23rd-25th and 30th-31st May: Steyning Arts Trail Steyning, West Sussex
Past events: 2021-2025
Shoreham Art Gallery Guest artist May 2025 - Shoreham, West Sussex
Gallery BN5 Henfield This gallery in currently closed for refurbishment - dates to follow in 2026!
Gallery Grounds Light in the Dark exhibition - Gallery Grounds, Southampton
ABE Open Studios Christmas Open with Cat & Kiwi Studio - West Sussex
Weald and Downland Living Museum Christmas market with Cat & Kiwi Studio - Singleton, West Sussex
The Sussex Contemporary 2024 Newhaven Marine Workshops, East Sussex
Brighton Artists Open Houses Bluebell Would - West Hove Arts Trail (2021-2024)
ArtWave Festival Victoria Pavillion Arts Uckfield and Crypt Gallery Seaford
South Downs Artists Small group shows - Crypt Gallery, Seaford
FIRING
My work is fired in a specialist glass kiln. Most of my pieces go through three or four firings each to set patterns and shape the glass. I hand make most of the moulds and apertures that I use to form my glass vessels. The image above shows you how the glass vessels form by 'dropping' through an aperture in response to heat and gravity. Kiln-forming is a true slow craft, encompassing many processes, each one rewarding.
FINISHING
I finish (or 'coldwork') my vessels by hand using silicon carbide grits and diamond-coated handpads; thankfully I do actually enjoy the repetitive motion of hand-lapping! It takes up to 3 hours to smooth and bevel the rim and level the base of each glass vessel; there's always a sense of achievement at the end of the process.
CONTACT ME
To enquire about a piece or discuss a commission, please get in touch here. I will try to get back to you within two working days, but please bear with me.
Please note I cannot undertake glass repairs or replicate other people's work.