Popglass Story

Popglass Jewellery is designed and handmade by Emily Whitton.

I am a local Tasmanian who grew up in a world full of creative energy provided by my parents and 4 siblings.

My dad Robert is a very talented, artistic and clever person who's biggest passion was making stained glass windows.

He was at the helm of Tasmanian Stained Glass for over 30 years.

        

Dad did numerous commissions of stained glass windows and sculptures in churches, private homes, shopping centres and even both federal casinos in Tasmania where they still stand in the foyers today.

During the later part of dad's career he discovered the beauty and magic of dichroic glass which originated in America.

So with his new found excitement about the versatility and incredible colours of dichroic glass he decided to have a sideliner business making fused dichroic glass jewellery.

He called it 'Galaxy Glass' because dichroic glass is made using space technology and is very sparkly like the stars.

Galaxy glass was very successful and people loved the glass jewellery.

Dad's talent really shined when he started to design and make brooches which became his signature pieces.

It was a very prosperous time for glass art in the 1990's, Dad travelled Australia seeking out all the fabulous Art and Craft Gallery's around the country to sell his Galaxy Glass.

That was how you did it back then!

Dad was a regular on the Spirit of Tasmania ship with his Volvo station wagon packed to the rafters with glass jewellery!!!     

        

He met the gallery owners and started some terrific business relationships which often led to great friendships along the way.

So this was how he made a living and along with his doting wife Victoria they raised 5 Daughters, so he had his choice of helpers in the Glass studio!

This is my cue.....

As a buzzing young lady fresh from living in London for 2 years I came back to Australia at the age of 20 in 1998.

My next stop was a Visual Arts degree at the University of Tasmania in Hobart.

Being a student I needed extra cash, Dad suggested working for him cutting glass up for earrings and that is where it all started.....

I remember I set up a space in my bedroom at my university share house in Battery Point 25 years ago!

I finished my degree and graduated then I became my dad's apprentice.

Dad taught me a lot and showed me the ropes of glass fusing.

With my newfound knowledge under my hat and being YOUNG and FREE,

I decided to chase love and headed north to New South Wales.

The love blossomed...... so I moved to NSW!

I set my studio up and started to design and make my own range of fused glass jewellery and that is how Popglass was born.

        

I was lucky enough to have a stall at the famed Paddington Market in Oxford street in the beating heart of Sydney which I thoroughly enjoyed for 7 years.

Being surrounded by artists, crafts people and numerous creatives at Paddington Market, I was able to immerse myself in the scene and really get Popglass out into the world.

Life marches on and I now find myself living back in my favourite place Tasmania!

I have a beautiful studio nestled in the valleys of Northern Tasmania.

       

This studio is where the magic happens....lots of glass ideas, fusing, creating and music flow freely.

It is my great pleasure to be able to offer you many special pieces here on the Popglass jewelley website.

Happy to answer any questions ! 

Just send me an email to popglass@hotmail.com

Please enjoy browsing the Popglass jewellery store

 Emily xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo