Joanne Heath

Glass Fusing Journey & Techniques

Joanne Heath, working from her home studio in Okehampton, has mastered the art of glass fusing for around seven years. With her modestly sized kiln, she produces moderate pieces, mindful of reducing waste. Joanne innovatively uses pot melt and mesh melt techniques to create new, one-off glass pieces, ensuring each work uniquely expresses her artistic vision. She also employs sandblasting, a technique she has refined over the years, continuously evolving her designs and ideas.

Artistic Development & Inspirations

Joanne’s journey in kiln-formed glass began in 2016, initially complementing her range of natural wax candles. Her exploration of sandblasting, learned from a fellow artist, has led to nature-themed designs, reflecting her interest in texture and movement. Recently, Joanne has been delving into the ‘Optic’ technique, developed by Judith Conway and Kevin O’Toole, allowing her to control movement in glass. Combined with dropout moulds, this technique enables her to capture the essence of movement and freedom in her pieces.

Creative Exploration & Product Range

Joanne showcases a range of unique fused glass home décor products in her online store. Many feature her signature bee-sandblasted design alongside botanical themes, reflecting her affinity for the natural world. Her product range extends to soy wax and beeswax candles, hand-poured in small batches, complementing her glasswork. Her exploration of glass moving and merging colours through mesh melts and stretching them into drop vases results in patterns reminiscent of fine materials like chiffon.