Fleur (Fae) Chandler

Welcome to Fae, our newest contributor to the Lyrebird Gallery. She makes a stunning variety of glass works - jewellery (pendants and earrings), bowls and wall hangings. We're hoping she will do some glass workshops for us in the future. Fae tells her own story:

"Hi my name is Fleur Chandler, (my friends call me Fae), and I am a Glass Addict!!!! Yep, totally addicted to glass!!!

I grew up in Melbourne in a beautiful historic home full of antiques. I was the youngest of five; my Mum was an antique dealer and her passion was glass. Our prize piece was an enormous leadlight window on the first landing of the staircase. Featured in the centre piece was a portrait of Queen Elizabeth the first. So I guess you could say that glass is in my blood!

As a qualified chef, I started playing with colour and food, but chefing and family doesn't really work as the hours are cruel.

I started making leadlights with Ian Readshaw as a hobby to get some "adult time" and loved it. Then I became the proud owner of "Fairies on the Walk" - seven magical years of faerie face painting, story telling and faerie design - what a beautiful time that was - all those happy little fairies (big ones too). At this time, I started making mushrooms in all colours and sizes, but not from glass.

I reluctantly moved on to "The Glass Studio" on Gallery Walk, Tamborine Mountain, where I was introduced to kiln fired works, and dichroic glass, and that's when it happened.... fireworks went off in my head!!!! Left, right, and centre!!!! No more copper foiling! I bought myself a kiln, and the rest is history. However, I found that kiln form work can be a little two dimensional..... so I found a local glass blower, and have been learning and practising with this more purposeful artform. I also do torch-work, which is like mini-glass blowing - it's good practice for when the furnace (used for glassblowing) isn't fired up.

I have always enjoyed a good challenge, and I push myself to do something different and exciting; I've found that in the infinite possibilities of glass! My heart and soul goes into the core of every piece I produce, and sometimes it's hard to let them go, but I do love it when someone falls in love with, and appreciates a piece so much they have to own it!

So, thank you for taking the time to read this, and for supporting our local art community.

Fae Fleur Xxx"

We have some of Fae's beautiful work in the Lyrebird Gallery right now, so come along and have a look!