We are Sheena Brockie and Chris Nelson and we have been working together on our glass art projects since 2004. We have recently moved into our fist purpose built studio in the St Saviour area of the island.
Sheena, Scottish born and bred, came to Jersey for a two week holiday at the tender age of 21, and the holiday has lasted nearly sixteen years. Chris, and Englishman, moved to Jersey with his family as a school boy.
We bounce ideas off each other and also do alot of experimenting with various types of glass and other materials to see how they will react in the kiln as they expand and contract at different rates.
The kiln heating and cooling process takes around 24 hours. It reaches a melting temperature of 800 degrees centigrade, which it holds for about half an hour, allowing glass to be moulded into all sorts of shapes. It also smoothes out ant sharp edges.
Platters are created by supporting the edges of the glass with fire bricks. The space in the centre then slumps. A thick dusting of plaster gives the textured finish. You get different effects, depending whether it's wet or dry.
The elements of a wall panel are only limited by imagination. Those currently on display combine everything from strips of coloured and textured glass to melting down glass jars and glass beads fused together by the effect of the heat. We usuaslly use perspex as backing for our panels as it has the advantage of being light and safer than glass but we have found that roofing slate is also suitable.
We also make stained glass pieces using soldered lead and create tea light holders by decorating glass yoghurt pots with painted mulberry paper.
Pallot Glass has been very helpful supplying us with unwanted offcuts. This includes Pilkington K glass from double glazed units which has an iridescent tinge. This stays clear in the kiln if covered but if exposed to the air becomes opaque. We also buy specialised glass from them. Our biggest expense is the perspex which we get from Tubeolight, who have also been very helpful.
Our work has been included in the Artisans' exhibitions organised by Art in Frame. As we are members of Genuine Jersey, our work was displayed at Jersey pottery. We are working towards our own individual exhibition this year.