ARTISAN, KILN FUSED GLASS

About image
We have been working in our guise of Gelf Studios from around 2015/16, moving gradually from an addictive hobby, when we were both in full time work, on to an equally engrossing business.

Our glasswork hobby started off in Denmark where we had a three day visit with a local Trad Jazz band that we are involved with. To cut a long story short - our host was a renowned glass artist (amongst other things) and, as a Thank You, she gave us full rein of her massive workshop with instructions to 'just do it - it's great fun'. Well, we did and it was!

A couple of years on and we had several friends admiring our work, asking how it was made and we invited them to come along and try it for themselves - they commented on how enjoyable it was and praised our teaching skills - that's how our craft workshops started out.

The period of Lockdown was a turning point, both for the opportunity to experiment and expand our skills, take tutorials via ZOOM with international glass artists, and for us to realise that we did not want to return to our previous working life.

It's still just the two of us working very happily together in our small workshop in Buckinghamshire. Ken concentrates on larger pieces, incorporating advanced kiln formed work.

Please take a few minutes to browse through our web pages, take a little delve into our Instagram @gelfglass, send a quick email over to gelfstudios@outlook.com if you would like to know more, or take a note of our upcoming events where you can come along and meet us in person.
(Quick note: we are not involved in the organisation of any events, simply participants)

Thank you for taking the time to read our brief Bio and look forward to hearing from you.

Kathryn & Ken Flegg

Diary image
ART & CRAFT EVENTS 2024
This diary will be regularly updated, so please revisit throughout the year.  Please refer to the Events tab for more details and location.  Thank you

PLEASE NOTE:      These are events that we are participating in - we are NOT the organisers

MARCH

Sunday 17th: Craft Fair: Woburn Village Hall, 10am - 4pm

APRIL
Saturday 6th: Handmade Craft Fair, Towcester Town Hall, 9.30 - 4pm

MAY
Saturday 11th: Handmade Craft Fair, Towcester Town Hall, 9.30 - 4pm
Sunday 19th: Craft Fair: Woburn Village Hall, 10am - 4pm


JUNE
Saturday 8th - Sunday 16th: Bucks Art Weeks, Westbury Art Centre
Saturday/Sunday 8th/9th: C:MK, Summer Market

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER
Saturday 7th: Handmade Craft Fair, Towcester Town Hall, 9.30 - 4pm

OCTOBER
Sunday 20th: Craft Fair: Woburn Village Hall, 10am - 4pm

NOVEMBER
Saturday/Sunday 16/17th: Westbury Arts Centre Winter Market

DECEMBER
Saturday 7th: Handmade Craft Fair, Towcester Town Hall, 9.30 - 4pm

  •  08/06/2024 10:35 AM - 09/06/2024 04:35 PM
  •   24 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3ES, UK
  •  08/06/2024 11:00 AM - 16/06/2024 04:00 PM
  •   Foxcovert Road, Milton Keynes MK5 6AA

We will be located in the Barn, which is open each day from 11 - 4. At least one of us will be onsite at some point each day, but please get in touch to confirm when we will be there as we would love to talk to you about our work and the passion we have for glasswork.

  •  07/09/2024 09:30 AM - 07/09/2024 04:00 PM
  •   Town Hall, Whittons Lane, Towcester, UK
  •  20/10/2024 10:00 AM - 20/10/2024 04:00 PM
  •   Woburn Village Hall, Crawley Road, Woburn, Milton Keynes MK17 9QD, UK
  •  16/11/2024 10:00 AM - 17/11/2024 04:00 PM
  •   Westbury Art Centre
  •  19/05/2024 10:00 AM - 19/05/2024 04:00 PM
  •   Woburn Village Hall, Crawley Road, Woburn, Milton Keynes MK17 9QD, UK
  •  11/05/2024 09:30 AM - 11/05/2024 04:00 PM
  •   Town Hall, Whittons Lane, Towcester, UK
  •  06/04/2024 09:30 AM - 06/04/2024 04:00 PM
  •   Town Hall, Whittons Lane, Towcester, UK
  •  17/03/2024 10:00 AM - 17/03/2024 04:00 PM
  •   Woburn Village Hall, Crawley Road, Woburn, Milton Keynes MK17 9QD, UK
  •  16/12/2023 10:00 AM - 16/12/2023 04:00 PM
  •   Thame Town Hall, High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3DR, UK

All work for sale at the fair must be designed, created and sold by the exhibitor. We will be showing our artisan, hand crafted, kiln-fused glass, made locally in our small workshop in Buckinghamshire

  •  02/12/2023 09:30 AM - 02/12/2023 04:00 PM
  •   Town Hall, Whittons Lane, Towcester, UK
  •  25/11/2023 10:00 AM - 26/11/2023 05:00 PM
  •   Stowe House, Stowe, Buckingham, MK18 5EH

Don't miss this amazing, two-day, event for the opportunity to purchase special Christmas gifts. To book your tickets, follow the link below, or go to the Stowe House website. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/stowe-house/stowe-house/stowe-christmas-gift-fayre-2023/e-yxgjxq

  •  19/11/2023 10:00 AM - 19/11/2023 04:00 PM
  •   Woburn Village Hall, Crawley Road, Woburn, Milton Keynes MK17 9QD, UK
  •  11/11/2023 10:30 AM - 11/11/2023 04:00 PM
  •   The White Horse, 1 Stocks Hill, Silverstone, NN12 8UW

All proceeds from the Fair organisers will be donated to the Royal British Legion. Many of the stall holders will also be

  •  04/11/2023 09:30 AM - 04/11/2023 04:00 PM
  •   Town Hall, Whittons Lane, Towcester, UK
  •  29/10/2023 03:00 PM - 29/10/2023 07:00 PM
  •   St Mary's Church, Old Town, Hemel Hempstead

An exciting event held in Hemel Old Town with lots of wonderful street food, Halloween spookiness for all ages, funfair rides for the children, AND of course THE CRAFTERS !! (mustn't forget those) - ALSO Fireworks to close off the evening. What could be better?

  •  15/10/2023 10:00 AM - 15/10/2023 04:00 PM
  •   Woburn Village Hall, Crawley Road, Woburn, Milton Keynes MK17 9QD, UK
  •  07/10/2023 09:30 AM - 07/10/2023 04:00 PM
  •   Town Hall, Whittons Lane, Towcester, UK
  •  17/09/2023 10:00 AM - 17/09/2023 04:00 PM
  •   Woburn Village Hall, Crawley Road, Woburn, Milton Keynes MK17 9QD, UK
  •  16/09/2023 10:00 AM - 16/09/2023 02:00 PM
  •   Moat Lane, Towcester NN12 6AD, UK
  •  02/09/2023 09:30 AM - 02/09/2023 04:00 PM
  •   Town Hall, Whittons Lane, Towcester, UK
  •  22/07/2023 10:58 AM - 22/07/2023 04:00 PM
  •   Thame Town Hall, High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3DR, UK

All work for sale at the fair must be designed, created and sold by the exhibitor. We will be showing our artisan, hand crafted, kiln-fused glass, made locally in our small workshop in Buckinghamshire

  •  09/07/2023 11:00 AM - 09/07/2023 05:00 PM
  •   Stockwood Discovery Centre, LU1 4LX
  •  11/06/2023 11:00 AM - 11/06/2023 05:00 PM
  •   Stockwood Discovery Centre, LU1 4LX
  •  16/04/2023 10:00 AM - 16/04/2023 04:00 PM
  •   Woburn Village Hall, Crawley Road, Woburn, Milton Keynes MK17 9QD, UK
  •  15/04/2023 09:30 AM - 15/04/2023 04:00 PM
  •   Town Hall, Whittons Lane, Towcester, UK
  •  08/04/2023 09:00 AM - 15/04/2023 01:00 PM
  •   Magnolia Park, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe HP14 4LA, UK
  • Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom

Please leave a message if we are unable to answer your call and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you

We have a couple of very exciting Projects in hand where Ken is working with two talented metalsmiths to incorporate a piece of his glasswork with sculptured metal work to produce a freestanding display piece.  

From what we have seen so far, both are going to be absolutely amazing.

As a little teaser, we can show a few images of the work in progress. Please visit this page again to see how the work is progressing. We are hoping for completion around mid-October.

If you would like to be notified when the pieces are ready to view, please send over an email to us and we will keep you informed.

Thank you

The first set of images is the work being produced by Ashleigh
FINALLY  we have our two amazing structures completed  The larger one, with the metal work hand forged by Ashleigh Garstang, stands around 4ft high.
The glasswork was produced - after many, many hours of hand cutting, planning, kiln firings, - from reclaimed greenhouse glass.  The light refraction from the textured finish is quite stunning.
Are you curious to learn about kiln fused glass - or just want a relaxing crafting session with a difference?

Are you curious to learn about kiln fused glass - or just want a relaxing crafting session with a difference?

Whatever the case, why not book a workshop with us here in our small studio in Bletchley, because we love to share our passion for glass with anyone who will listen! Our classes are small (maximum 4) and we work in a relaxed but supportive way to ensure that you will soon become confident with the processes and produce glasswork to treasure. We regret that we have had to make a small increase to the cost of our workshops. We have held our prices for several years, but material and energy costs have overtaken us. These increases will come into effect from 1 March 2024, but will not affect any workshops already booked.

Introduction to Glass Fusing: £50 pp

Introduction to Glass Fusing: £50 pp

A short 2 - 2.5 hour workshop which can be either a relaxing crafting time (maybe with friends) or a useful introductory session for someone wishing to learn the process of glass fusing. Our aim for this course is for it to be relaxing and fun and you will be fully supported and helped at all times. The basic cost of £60 will enable you to make up to four coaster-sized pieces, or a wave or curved piece. Should you wish to make something a little more complex that involves extra materials or kiln firings then there would be a small additional cost. We can discuss all the options with you when you make your booking.

Lantern decoration: £125 pp, (to include lunch & refreshments)

Lantern decoration: £125 pp, (to include lunch & refreshments)

This is a full day course for you to design and craft four panels of a lantern that will take pride of place in your home or as a gift for someone really special. We will help and guide you through all aspects of design, planning and production, so do not worry if you are totally new to this craft. Your fully assembled lantern will be ready a few days later, after the panels have been fired in the kiln.

Christmas themed Workshops: £60 pp

Christmas themed Workshops: £60 pp

From October to mid-December we run special workshops where you produce your own, hand crafted, Christmas decorations. These could be either hanging decorations for your tree, a festive tealight or free standing curve. We have limited dates open for booking, so please email your contact details over to us and we will let you know what options are available.

Advanced courses: £ TBC

Advanced courses: £ TBC

Multi-day, 1-1 tutorials for people with some experience of glass fusing, wishing to expand their skill set and learn more advanced techniques. If you have something in mind, do get in touch to discuss the options. We can also offer workbench and kiln time hire - again, please contact us if this is of interest to you.

Tailored Workshops: £ TBC

Tailored Workshops: £ TBC

If you have a specific item or project in mind then this is the workshop for you. Please contact us either by email or phone and we will be delighted to structure a workshop for you.

  • Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom
New to trading at craft fairs?   Here are a few tips

New to trading at craft fairs? Here are a few tips

I have had a few people contacting me asking for advice or tips relating to trading at craft fairs and markets. I wouldn't want to give the impression of being an expert on the subject, but thought it may be useful to go through a few things that we have picked up over the years. Please excuse any that may seem blatantly obvious!

Read More