Isle of Wight Studio Glass Ltd

“The Original” Often imitated rarely surpassed World renowned innovative hand made studio glass.

50 years of HOT STUFF

Isle of Wight Studio Glass celebrates 50 years creating world-renowned decorative studio glass. The beginning Founded by the prodigiously talented, pioneering British designer and craftsman Michael Harris (1933-1994). Isle of Wight Studio Glass has remained internationally pre-eminent in studio glass design and production, and to this day remains family run with Timothy and his team.

A passion for the art of glass

From an early age Timothy Michaels elder son was attracted by the heat, fire and smoke of his father’s studio, holding a blowing iron as soon as he could he began to experiment for himself, his natural talent & aptitude for working with hot glass quickly developed. Timothy completed formal college studies at Brierley Hill College of Glass Techniques & Technologies returning in 1980 to the Isle of Wight to join his father’s already successful studio, enabling him to take his place alongside the most respected designers and makers in Britain. It was at this time that ranges including Undercliff, Nightscape, and Seascape became the innovative pieces of the studios impressive history. Over the 45+ years of Timothy’s journey with glass he has also tutored and help set up many Studios around the globe Kerry Glass, Gozo Glass, Royal Brierley, Mdina Glass, Phoenicia Glass, Mtarfa Glass Guernsey Glass Jersey Glass and many others as far away as Bangok. In 1990 Timothy's contribution and talent was recognised in several prestigious awards including the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) which supports Excellence in British Craftsmanship. As a Royal Scholar this facilitated an artist in residency at Penland School of Craft USA in 1990 with a return invitation to Penland in 1991 to join the teaching faculty, followed by an artist in residency at Pilchuck Glass School,Washington. Timothy has since been recognised as one of the finest, most accomplished and innovative glass-makers this country has ever had, justifiably taking his place as one of the most highly respected glassmakers, always finding new ways of working with hot glass, constantly experimenting in his quest for perfection of form, colour and texture, he keeps his team at the forefront of British craftsmanship, striving “in pursuit of excellence”.

Often imitated never surpassed

The studio has gained many accolades over the years, one of note was the recognition of the studio’s pioneering addition of gold and silver to the surface of hot glass. For this they were awarded ‘The Best of British Design” in 1979 by the Design Council and presented the award by the late Duke of Edinburgh which was applauded by the global studio glass movement, “The Original” technique developed into their range called Azurene in 1978 in collaboration with RCA student William Walker, the technique has “often imitated but never surpassed.” The Studio’s work can be found in many countries Worldwide, in royal, private, museum, art & gallery collections. A Royal Connection

The Royals love of glass

Includes, Timothy’s Graal perfume bottle given to the Queen Mother for her 90th birthday in 1990, a personal presentation of “The Queens Bowl” to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in her Diamond Jubilee year of 2012, the bowl was a gift from the people of the Isle of Wight and was later exhibited in the Royal Collection, a further unique piece was created for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, as well as a set of whiskey glass’s commissioned for King Charles, when still Prince Charles for his 70th Birthday.

Come and visit our world renowned studio based on the Beautiful Isle of Wight, nestled in the heart of the Isle of Wight in the Arreton valley at the very top above the pond of the Arreton Barns site. Browse our Studio shop and take home an Isle of Wight designed and handmade UNIQUE piece of Island history, or visit our website and buy online @ www.isleofwightstudioglass.co.uk