Meet Gisellery

Meet Gisellery
You can visit her shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5165797

How many years have you been an artist?

I first started making things when my sons were young (in the 80s). I made them a 3 1/2 foot high Santa with a red velvet suit. I also made miniture framed paintings for the period dolls houses that my father-in-law made. A few years ago I started making semi-precious jewellery, which I still do when time allows.

How many years have you worked with glass?

I've only worked with glass for 3 years. Initially I tried lampworking, but the rest of my family did not take kindly to all the doors and windows being open in the winter due to the fumes from the torch. As I had already bought a kiln, a Paragon SC2, I decided to try fusing instead which soon became an obsession.

What triggers ideas for new projects?

People tell me that I have an eye for colour, so I suppose I think about colours first and then think of designing the piece to fit in with that. I seem to spend more time thinking than actually doing. Suddenly something quite random can trigger an idea even though the final result may be completely different to the inital spark. But yes, first I think of the colour I'd like to work with.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?

I have a day job as well, although due to my creations, I've been lucky enough to have been able to reduce my hours. I'm usually home by 2:00 pm, so I spend a large part of each day thinking about what I want to make next. I do tend to go off at tangents though, and want ot start new projects before completing whatever I'm already working on.

Do you create daily?

I make something most days - I can't just sit and do nothing. I've just bought another kiln, a Paragon Fusion 7, so now also make little dishes as well as pendants.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?

Have you given up certain luxuries?

My other half has some health problems, so we rarely go out. I wanted something that I could do from home that would keep me occupied so that I wouldn't miss not socialising much. So working with glass has not been a sacrifice at all. My husband does often comment though that I'm "not there" because I'm creating things in my head. I suppose I've given up exercise and eating healthily. I used to work out every day, but now glass comes first. It's often 8:00 pm and I haven't started dinner, so grab chocolate or cake!! - No sacrifice there then.

Describe your studio.

My studio is mainly our conservatory, with windows on three sides which was intended to be a lovely light dining room. I prepare the glass there, but the kiln is in the spare room. I can create chaos in there within 5 minutes - even in the day job I have to have two desks for my clutter. I'm a sagitarrian rooster, so it's not my fault, I just can't help it.

Tell me something about you:

I'm 51, 5 feet tall. I've been married for 33 years to David but prefer to use my maiden name, it's who I am after all. We have 2 sons, Sean is 28 and Alex is 26 - both still at home. We also have a white German Shepherd called Meg and a stray cat called Kitty the cat. Sometimes I seem aloof when I first meet someone, but only while I'm sizing them up. I have a wicked and somewhat warped sense of humour and tend to show my emotions on my face. I'll often say the most outrageous things to make people laugh, but then life's too short to be miserable.