MASTER glassblower Stewart Hearn is preparing to host a Christmas open weekend at his new studio in Chatteris.

Stewart has converted a listed barn into a bespoke glass blowing studio, and is inviting the public to take a look at his new High Street premises and choose some Christmas gifts from the beautiful range of handmade glass on show.

The studio at 112a High Street will be open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9, from 11am to 6pm, and there will be mulled wine, mince pies and hourly glass blowing demonstrations over the two days.

Stewart said: “This event offers people the chance to experience first hand this rare traditional craft, often for the first time in their lives.

“There will also be an opportunity to buy contemporary glass at heavily reduced prices.”

The art of glassblowing has been described as “alchemy in motion,” with the glass maker gathering molten glass from the furnace on the end of his iron, ready to shape it at the bench. He manipulates the glass using a variety of tools, turning the iron to keep the liquid glass steady, and with the help of his assistant he blows a bubble through the iron and into the glass, forming a hollow vessel.

The listed barn that has just been converted into a state of the art studio is in the grounds of a 18th century cottage bought by Stewart and his ceramicist wife Kathryn after they decided to move to the Fens from London

Stewart, who has 30 years of experience in creating contemporary and functional glassware, hopes the open weekend will give him the opportunity to meet his neighbours and the wider Fenland community.