Southwold Glass Hut Sculpture
Serena's Southwold Glass Hut was shortlisted for Shed of the Year 2017 and featured on the program with George Clarke.
Serena made the Southwold Glass Hut sculpture as a tribute to her late parents who both died of cancer and as a celebration of a very happy childhood.
She lost her wonderful mother 'Val' when she was 15 years old and her lovely father Derek tragically died a few years later.
She was completely devastated by losing her mother and then her father. She and her brother found themselves without their parents and their beloved Southwold family home.
At rock bottom with no money but plenty of determination and encouragement with some wonderful kind friends, Serena was able to gradually build up her business slowly and eventually her own home.
The Southwold Glass Hut is a memory box of treasured family memories. Each piece of glass has been decorated by hand using different techniques such as sandblasting, glass etching, glass fusing, hand painting and screen printing. It took over three years to make.
Serena made the Southwold Glass Hut sculpture as a tribute to her late parents who both died of cancer and as a celebration of a very happy childhood.
She lost her wonderful mother 'Val' when she was 15 years old and her lovely father Derek tragically died a few years later.
She was completely devastated by losing her mother and then her father. She and her brother found themselves without their parents and their beloved Southwold family home.
At rock bottom with no money but plenty of determination and encouragement with some wonderful kind friends, Serena was able to gradually build up her business slowly and eventually her own home.
The Southwold Glass Hut is a memory box of treasured family memories. Each piece of glass has been decorated by hand using different techniques such as sandblasting, glass etching, glass fusing, hand painting and screen printing. It took over three years to make.
Filming for channel four Amazing spaces took place in Serena's old neighbour's garden, just a few feet from her family home. It was the the sunniest day of the year so far, perfect for filming. Filming took all day from 10am till 11pm. It was a great day and lovely to see so much genuine enthusiasm for Serena's Southwold Glass Hut. She was able to explain that it was her love for her parents, Southwold and her work that enabled her to channel all her energy into building up her business from nothing, all those years ago, into the thriving gallery it is today, with thanks to all the customers who have supported her along the way.
Serena wanted to make a sculpture that people could see and use and enjoy.
Inspired by the famous Southwold Beach huts and the nations love of sheds.
She also wanted it to be a reminder to live life to the full and to try to be as positive and happy and kind as you can be every day,
in the face of bereavement, illness and loss.
Inspired by the famous Southwold Beach huts and the nations love of sheds.
She also wanted it to be a reminder to live life to the full and to try to be as positive and happy and kind as you can be every day,
in the face of bereavement, illness and loss.
Here are some close up of the glass details. The hut took over three years to make, each glass tile took at least a week to design and to be made into a silk screen which was then screen printed onto the glass with enamel glass paint. Each piece was then kiln fired in an electric kiln and then leaded and soldered up and then fixed into the hut. The structure is incredibly strong and completely safe.
The hut has been made so that it can be left outside in all weather and can be moved easily to different venues.
The roof is decorated glass which has been etched and sandblasted with images of flying birds.
Serena used treasured personal letters and mementos to decorate the hut.
The hut has been made so that it can be left outside in all weather and can be moved easily to different venues.
The roof is decorated glass which has been etched and sandblasted with images of flying birds.
Serena used treasured personal letters and mementos to decorate the hut.
