Maker of the Month- June
Bio
Debbie Halliday is the maker behind Glass Craft Studio and works from her Craft Town Scotland Studio on Main street in West Kilbride.
Debbie began her career as a residential social worker, specialising in children and young people.
Debbie has always enjoyed craft and used different craft disciplines to engage the young people she worked with.
In 1998, she decided to take a step back from the stress of her job and focused on craft full time.
Debbie specialises in hand decorated glass of all kinds using different methods from painting to decoupage.
Debbie began her career as a residential social worker, specialising in children and young people.
Debbie has always enjoyed craft and used different craft disciplines to engage the young people she worked with.
In 1998, she decided to take a step back from the stress of her job and focused on craft full time.
Debbie specialises in hand decorated glass of all kinds using different methods from painting to decoupage.
How did you get started in glass art?
After watching a glass artist working at a craft fair, I decided to buy some glass paint materials and I have never looked back!
Did you do any formal training in glass art?
I couldn’t find any classes in Scotland. I taught myself by reading books and lots of practice!
How has your creative practice changed?
My work has changed over the years and although I still use glass paints I am mainly focused on decorating glass with various papers and inks.
Have you always worked from a studio?
Glass painting started as a hobby. It turned in to a
career by accident when a large international company saw my work and commissioned
me to do designs in the Glasgow style influenced by Charles Rennie MacKintosh. These
designs were reproduced on place mats, coasters and mugs and sold world wide.
career by accident when a large international company saw my work and commissioned
me to do designs in the Glasgow style influenced by Charles Rennie MacKintosh. These
designs were reproduced on place mats, coasters and mugs and sold world wide.
I had a studio in my garden when I lived in Paisley. In 2008, my daughter moved to West Kilbride and I was commuting to look after my granddaughter. I began supplying the initiative shop with my work.
When a studio in the village became vacant I took the opportunity to have my own bricks and mortar studio instead of working from home.