I’m so glad I followed my dream
From the moment Kayleigh Young saw glassblowing in action, she knew it was the career for her.
following up with a BA at Wolverhampton University, I was ready to unleash my talents.
It’s taken me a further 14 years to reach this stage.
When I open the studio door a blast of hot air from the furnace greets me. Heavenly in the winter but not so good in the height of summer!
The furnace is kept on all year round and only ever shuts down for repairs, which I mainly do myself.
As far as I’m aware, I’m the only independent female glassblower in the UK with my own furnace, glory hole and lehr.
Deciding what to make is never easy and I normally leave it until I’ve had my first cuppa of the day.
I like to experiment with colours and shapes and have a sketchbook I carry around with me.
Inspiration comes from my surroundings and sometimes my dreams.
One of my best-selling pieces is a sheep inside an ice-cream cone, the result of a dream I’d had.
My colour choice seems to go in waves and I’m lucky to have more than 100 different-coloured crystals to choose from.
Changing into old clothes, I start to create an ornament I’ve never made before. I wear protective clothing, as the heat is so fierce it could easily burn my skin.
I’m no stranger to burns and blisters – it goes with the territory as sparks and embers can jump out of the furnace, so I have to be on my guard at all times.
Heat-protecting sleeves cover my arms and help stop any serious burns.
My excitement builds as I go through the process of making an individual piece with a new colour combination and shape.
If it works I add it to my “recipe” book. The satisfaction I get from creating beautiful things is immense.
Solid sculpting is something I also like to do and my best-seller is a skull.
I found the mould in a cookware shop and thought, what could I do with this?
The process involves sitting the cast in a pan of cold water before pouring the liquid glass in. If I didn’t sit it in cold water the cast would melt.
I’ve tried all sorts of colours and finishes with the skulls and they are all well received.
Giving back to the community is something I like to do and I collaborate with Leicester University, talking to students about the skills needed to be a glassblower. On occasion, they will come to my studio to try their hand at it, too.
They are always astonished at the skill needed to blow a small bird or a glass bowl.
Commissions can be challenging and I’ve had many different requests.
A six-year-old girl came into the studio with her mum one day and asked if I could mend her unicorn.
It was way past the mending stage but I told her to leave it with me.
I practised all week and eventually reproduced the unicorn. The smile on her face was thanks enough.
When I get home I like to relax by reading a book, normally on glassblowing! It’s a never-ending learning process.
Every day in this business is unique and I love it. I am so glad I followed my dream.