Purple Urchin Glass

Purple Urchin Glass at work

Purple Urchin Glass: John 3:16, painting on glass

Purple Urchin Glass: Seed heads, copper foiled stained glass with wire work

Purple Urchin Glass: Christmas swag, copper foiled stained glass with wire work and beads

Purple Urchin Glass: Lobster, copper foiled stained glass with wire work

Purple Urchin Glass: BSA Vintage motor cycle, copper foiled stained glass with wire work and painting

Purple Urchin Glass: Heron, copper foiled stained glass with wire work mounted on driftwood

Purple Urchin Glass: Mini seagull, copper foiled stained glass and mounted on driftwood

Purple Urchin Glass: Genesis 1:21 ,copper foiled stained glass with gilded engraving

Purple Urchin Glass: Moon Gazing Hare, copper foiled stained and fused glass with gilded engraving, painting and wirework

Purple Urchin Glass: Untitled, new life given to a broken item of sentimental value with inspiration from Japanese Kintsugi

Purple Urchin Glass: Poppies, copper foiled stained glass with wire work mounted on driftwood

Purple Urchin Glass: Celtic heart knot, copper foiled stained glass

Purple Urchin Glass: Art Deco Mirror, celebrating 30 years of stained glass - copper foiled stained and fused glass with wirework

Purple Urchin Glass: Seagull characters, copper foiled stained and fused glass with wirework mounted on driftwood

Purple Urchin Glass: Kingfisher, copper foiled stained glass with wirework, paint and beads

Purple Urchin Glass: Aeolian, copper foiled stained glass

Purple Urchin Glass: Quirky birds, copper foiled stained glass with wirework

Purple Urchin Glass: Butterflies, copper foiled stained glass with wirework

Art Forms

Glass

Exhibition and News

My current studio is in the tiny hamlet of Coolieragh on the beautiful Beara peninsula overlooking Bantry bay in West Cork, I open to the public at weekends and by appointment. If you are ever in the area please stop by.

Biography

Stained glass turned me into a Purple Urchin!

Evening classes in 1995 is where it all began, with a second hand cutter and offcuts supplied by my tutor. I learned both the leaded and copper foil (Tiffany) technique but it was the later that appealed to me most for the scope of intricacy that could be achieved, little did I realise how intricate that work was to become … I was asked to transform my decoration sized items into earrings. My first studio was in my parents summer house and then a purpose built shed, I’ve worked from various other sheds and spare rooms over the years, 2017 I had my first purpose built studio (another wooden shed) and finally in 2023 I moved into a bricks and mortar studio in Ireland with running water and heating – luxury. During those years of shed hopping my trading name of Purple Urchin was born.

From the beginning my glass hobby was always self financing, selling a few items made from pattern books to purchase more materials and tools. In the latter years I have an Etsy shop and attend several events each year and I now create most of my own designs. I’ve moved on from flat 2D pieces and now make mobiles, bunting, jewellery and sculpture mounted on driftwood (my location right on the coast has given me a plentiful supply). Reclaimed and recycled glass features highly in my offerings, turning gin and wine bottles into jewellery, If it’s made of glass I’ve probably tried using it. With the growth of my 3D work comes an increase in the use of wire and I use from 0.4mm up to 3mm, also copper sheet and pipe. Glass beads are also a favourite of mine for adding detail.

Glass engraving has been another extension to my work, to add detail and the ability to create more personalised items, since 2021 when I purchased a small kiln I’ve been experimenting with small scale glass fusing to make components for my work and since April this year I’ve been mastering the centuries old skill of painting on glass, mixing my own paint and making use of my kiln to fire it.

The future is looking Purple, since I moved to Ireland I’ve been attending college part time to study different aspects of art and design including painting, drawing and botanical art. These skills have definitely helped my glass painting and will take my work in new directions, not just with glass but now paint on paper too.

Get in touch

jacqueline.birchall@gmail.com
https://purpleurchin.online

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Art Weeks Venue

168

Purple Urchin Glass