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GLASS MAKING IN THE POITOU CHARENTES REGION

The Guide2PoitouCharentes activities this month highlight the ancient form of glassmaking.  It is an art form reminiscent of alchemy which requires the magical transformation of the material silica – through the use of excessive heat – into an object of beauty and / or usefulness.  From jewellery to drinking glasses; vases to glass bowls; mosaic to the beauty of a stained glass window – the designs are endless.

In ancient times Silica required the addition of potash, soda and lead because furnaces were unable to produce the extensive heat that was required in order to transform the material into glass.  The different colours of glass were produced by adding metallic oxides to the liquid glass – cobalt oxide produces blue glass, copper oxides for green and these days also red – originally gold was used to produce red glass but this was a far more expensive option.

As a holiday activity you might think to look out for holidays in the sun, with sand, sea and swimming.  You might even think about horse riding, walking or fishing, but have you given some thought to the more artistic activity of glass making.  In France there are numerous craft artisans including many who work in the medium of glass.  Most are thrilled to be able to pass on just a little of their craftsmanship and knowledge and offer holiday activity courses.  Sally Cox is just one such glass artisan who can help you achieve your dream of working in the medium of glass.

Sally Cox studio / workshop can be found in the Poitou Charentes regions of Deux Sevres, on the outskirts of the little hamlet of Barroux near Airvault.  Originally training with an artisan in Buxton in Derbyshire more than 20 years ago she has lived and worked in France now for several years.   Her work is generally workshop based however she can also be found from time to time working in situ on site such as when repairing a stained glass window in a chapel.

Sally’s designs are beautiful, bright and colourful – reflecting the sunshine of the region.  She produces mosaic tables and mirrors of varying sizes and dimensions.  Glass wind chimes and jewellery, and for the piece de resistance the beautiful, colourful stained glass for windows.  Sometimes she can be found on scaffolding undertaking a repair job on a stained glass window for a chateau or a chapel.  At other times she can be found making a stained glass window from scratch using vibrant colours and creating a sense of texture through the medium of glass.

In recent years Sally extended her repertoire even further and  has gone on to purchase a kiln in order to create a fused glass and say that “When kiln working you never truly know what the end result is going to be – that’s part of the excitement.”

Sally offers workshops in the art of glass : glass cutting, glass leading, glass soldering.  She offers a one day Stained Glass taster Day where you can learn how to make leaded panels using either a design provided or a design of your own.  She offers a two day course which carries on from the initial stage, where you will create your own glass design and offers lessons in fused glass and glass painting.   And she offers a Fusing Taster Day into the ancient craft where you can make a plate or a bowl using various other mediums.   The glass workshops run from 9.30am to 5 pm and all materials and use of tools are included in the cost.

The one day initial Glass Taster Day costs €130 per person. The two day follow on courses costs €250 per person and the Fusing Taster Day costs €140 per person.

There is plenty of local accommodation such as Bed and Breakfast and Gites should you be travelling some distance or wish to stay nearby and Sally can be contacted at info@sallycox.eu or on 0033 (0)5 49 95 13 61

Places to Visit:

• Airvault  -  4.1 km : offering a medieval marketplace, cobbled streets, ancient church and abbey museum
• St Loup Lamaire  -  6.9 km : A beautiful medieval town with cobbled streets, colombage buildings, restaurants and the converge of two rivers.  You will also find an English tea shop here.
• Thouars  -  19.3km :  An ancient town offering chateau and museums, shops and ancient quarter of Medard.
• Parthenay  -  24.4 km  :  Ancient town  with walled area and shops.
• Montreuil Bellay  -  36.5 km : an ancient town with beautiful chateau
• Moncontour  -  16.6 km  :  A pretty historical village with an XIth century donjon, riverside and forest walks, a water sports lake with beach and play area and all the amenities such as boulangerie, supermarket and pharmacy.  Here you will also find Le Grand Saule Chambre d’Hotes / Bed and Breakfast Accommodation