Video: The art of making stained glass creations
Merle ter Bruggen made her entry into stained-glass art through her good friend, Kim Dias, who she had known for a number of years.
KAAPSEHOOP – A riot of colour surrounds the crystal-clear material which has been shaped into everything from lamps to chimes and every imaginable glass piece.
In the background is a woman responsible for this sight of reflective artistry that has become an integral part of this village and any visitor’s itinerary.
Merle ter Bruggen made her entry into stained-glass art through her good friend, Kim Dias, who she had known for a number of years.
“He showed me glass art and I was hooked. I helped Kim at his shop for two to three days a week and this is where my versatility with glass grew. We eventually became business partners in 2013,” she said.
Merle loves people and the interaction and is now running the shop full-time having taken over from Kim.
“We had numerous people coming in over the Easter period who were amazed by the number of glass ornaments, lamps and other types of jewellery that was on display.”
Her first successful piece was an orange lamp, but since she has delved into a variety of coloured and multicoloured lamps.
“I am enthralled by all the colour possibilities of glass art. Green symbolises happiness and peace while white gives it a clinical finish,” she explains while pointing to one of the lamps in the shop.
According to Merle, one would start the creative process first with a certain colour and design in mind.
“One would then trace the design and cut each piece of glass individually with a glass cutter according to this pattern. The glass is then painted. One would also cut and solder each of glass together piece by piece,” she explained.
The glass can also get baked in an oven called a kiln at 470 degrees celsius, which helps to fuse two colours together in the art work.
Merle also does commissions for customers who request a specific piece that is not available in her store.
“I also do repairs for customers. Because sometimes a crack in the glass can occur after a long time.” she added.
Even though she has cut herself numerously working with glass, she still believes that the ends definitely define the means.
“The best aspect of stained-glass art is that it is entirely handmade. To create something out of a simple piece of glass into a beautiful and extraordinary artwork is my passion,” she expressed.
