Best in Glass - 2025

A look back at 2025 - another year of colour and creativity, and some very memorable commissions.

Here's a selection of the glass artworks that marked each month - by no means all I created, but a flavour of the year!

From cathedral arches and botanical blooms to flamingos, portraits and toucans, the work has been wonderfully varied. Each piece tells its own story of memory, celebration, connection, and joy.

January

January started with all my favourites in one ... the soaring arches of Wells Cathedral in such a gorgeous palette of blues, greens and teals. A commission for an existing client, I had a free hand to create very much what I wanted.

This was one of three projects in January with a similar palette ... I hope it continues to be requested this year too!

'Cobalt Cathedral' Hard Edge glass art roundel on custom made stand

February

A Canadian illustrator commissioned a series of six large Miniatures to present as individually engraved gifts to his literary colleagues throughout North America. Here are the 'Chicka Chicka' Miniatures!

The client said:
"Linda was always quick to respond to my questions and suggestions. Her creativity shone through in the solutions she brought to my commission. She kept me informed every step of the way with thoughtful comments, suggestions, and photos. As a creative professional myself, I had high expectations - and Linda delivered!"

March

I was already working on two projects for this client when she saw a botanical piece I was working on, and asked for something similar.

She always loves my colour ideas - we have a good relationship, and I knew I could create something that would please her. But it also turned out to be one of my favourite Miniatures - those yellows are stunning!

On seeing the photos, she said:
"Everything is absolutely fabulous!! I’m so excited about receiving it all. I love your creativity & love of color. I think I might like a bowl as well. Can’t wait for our next project 😊"

April

When I was commissioned to create this Flamingo, I hesitated for a moment ... Pink isn’t really my colour, and it’s hard to source in glass too.

But rather than say no, I decided to take it on and stretch the boundaries of the flamingo palette.

A few months later, it’s still one of my favourites from this year.

I also designed a new stand for it - I call this shape the Tallboy. It’s made for portrait-style pieces that need a bit more height.

May

‘Butterflies & Wine’ was made in secret as a birthday gift for someone who’d been quietly following my work for years.

Butterflies for her mum.
Sauvignon Blanc for shared memories.

It was such a joy to create something so full of meaning.

The client said:
"You and Rob have done such a fantastic job of capturing memories and beauty in these pieces of glass. I couldn’t be more pleased and grateful for this gift that I get to look at every day."

June

Most of my work is made to commission - but every now and then, I get the urge to make something just because I want to.

This is Palm House - inspired by the famous glasshouse in Sefton Park, along with memories of visits to Kew Gardens and some gorgeous glass buildings across Europe. I’ve always loved that contrast of lush green foliage against the geometric ironwork - the perfect subject to capture in glass.

It was my largest wall panel to date, with a unique outer shape. While challenging to cut, the result is exactly as I’d imagined 😊

July

Not the only piece I made in July, but this commission really stood out - I loved it.

One of my earliest clients asked me to create her grandsons as figures, pointing upwards to the balloons I’d made for her in a previous commission.

She sent photographs, and shared stories about them too - the kind of thoughtful detail I love, because it helps me create something truly personal and meaningful.

She said:
"Oh wow they look so good! Really looking forward to getting them on my wall.
Love the little book and its story."

August

This piece, 'Gardening', and its companion 'The Sea', were created for a client who wanted to commemorate her late parents.

Her mum especially loved irises. We talked about whether to go for a full garden scene or something more abstract and ‘irisy’ - abstract was definitely the right decision!

It’s since become one of my most popular works - and I’m so pleased it’s already led to two more botanical commissions.

September

One of several projects from early autumn - and such a joyful one to work on.

The client told me:
"I have such a big connection with toucans … I’m from Brasil and I’ve been living in the US for over 20 years now. We have a lot of toucans in Rio de Janeiro. Toucans remind me of home, of family, and they bring me so much happiness.

As soon as I saw your work, I fell in love … it was love at first sight and I knew right then that I needed them in my house, to bring Brasil closer to home."

Toucans are one of my favourite themes to return to. I’d already created two Miniatures to go with the original large roundel, so I was delighted to design more for this collection.

She later wrote:
"I don't think words can express all the beauty on these Toucans ... the feeling of touching them, after seeing all the planning you did and all the hours of pure love you dedicated into making them, makes me feel special ... and my Toucans priceless."

October

The 'Sea' was the second half of a diptych, alongside 'Gardening' - though actually the client decided to display them separately!

Her father spent a lot of time at sea and used to bring her back huge shells and conches from tropical shores - she still has them. What a lovely memory to work from.

Interestingly, the client is the Emerita Artist in Residence at Chester Cathedral, so I felt very honoured to be chosen.

Drawing the shells, with their almost perfect Fibonacci spirals, really brought out my combined love of maths and art. And cutting those long, thin curves? Very satisfying.

The client said:
"These beautiful works in fused glass will take pride of place in my new home!!"

November

This commission was created to celebrate a 4th wedding anniversary - in the USA, that means fruit and flowers.

The main roundel features a Bird of Paradise in full bloom. Perfect timing too, as my own Strelitzia was flowering in the workshop while I was making it.

Accompanied by orchid and cherry blossom Miniatures, it’s called Strelitzia and Sakura, now happily settled in its new home in the States.

December

Named 'Alluring Montage' by the client, this piece builds on years of exploring portraits in glass.

He originally wanted something smaller, but as we talked by email and Zoom, the ideas grew. He had a clear vision for bold colour and expression, and the design evolved into this tall rectangular piece.

We’d been working on a complex frame to hold three separate panels when I suggested something bolder: a full black glass border. That choice brought everything together beautifully, but those very long, very thin black strips had to be absolutely straight, which was more of a challenge than I’d expected.

It’s now finished, framed, and one of the most striking commissions I’ve completed this year.

Thank you to every client who’s trusted me with your ideas over the last year.

And to everyone who follows, comments, and shares my work - your support means the world.

Here’s to more colour and creativity in 2026. I can’t wait to see what comes next.