Catherine's glass obsession began after taking a course in lampwork bead-making, and falling in love with working in glass. In naming her company, she combined her middle name, Elanne and her daughter's middle name, Ivy and began making a variety of glass beads, pendants, and charms, turning them into miniature, wearable works of art.
A glass artisan for over fifteen years, Catherine now specializes in making her fused glass into jewellery and also adding it to her original glass mosaic lamps. Her fused pieces are unique and one-of-a-kind, some using special techniques with "reactive" and "dichroic" glass which create beautiful patterns and colours when kiln-fired. Both her jewellery and lamps are featured in local artisan shops and galleries, and were displayed and sold throughout the Christmas season at the Stone Road Mall in 2024.
Much of the time, Catherine works from her backyard "tiny-house-studio" (photo in image gallery) where she also teaches workshops in jewellery and lamp-making. This year alone, Catherine has taught over 500 students and made almost as many lamps herself! In the cold months of winter a space heater provides warmth to her studio guests and students, and in summer multiple fans keep things cool. The studio is surrounded by large trees, lush perennial gardens, and a small pond, attracting various wildlife visitors year-round.
Self-taught, Catherine's handmade mosaic lamps include traditional Turkish styles and patterns, as well as completely original designs. Incorporating fused glass into many of her pieces, Catherine's lamp creations are reminiscent of small-scale stained glass windows. Each and every lamp is unique. Some of her designs have featured cats, butterflies, a variety of flora and fauna, and even nutcrackers, pumpkins, and skeletons. The lamps are whimsical, colourful, and made with great joy. In appreciation of this ancient art-form, Catherine creates lamps of exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
For more, please visit Facebook.com/elanneivy or www.elanneivy.com
