Roucan Lodge, Roucan Road, Collin, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, DG1 4JF
Phone: 0138 775 0319, E-mail: sheena.booth@atouchofglassengraving.com
About 'A Touch of Glass'
My shop is called 'A Touch of Glass' and is situated on Irish Street in the county town of Dumfries in South West Scotland.
I have a long history in art and worked for many years in Art Therapy, teaching students of all abilities as well as painting for myself.
I also have a deep love of animals and dogs in particular, having been breeding and showing Great Danes for many years. It was this passion which led to my introduction to glass engraving, unlikely as that may sound! I was asked to judge the Great Danes at a show and wanted to give my winners some kind of award. I looked at the trophies available in my price range and was not impressed with the depressing plastic things, whilst the silver ones were out of the reach of my bank balance!
I did, however, have a lovely crystal vase, and I wondered if I could perhaps "draw" a Great Dane on it and use that. I bought a little battery engraver and drew a very basic Dane head on the vase. I now shudder to think how rough it was, but it went down very well. The recipient was delighted with it and showed it to everyone. Several promptly asked me to do one for them! So many, in fact, that I thought I had better learn how to do it properly, and buy a better drill.
I went on a number of professional courses, joined the Guild of Glass engravers, bought the best drill available and set off on my journey of glass engraving.
I engrave anything onto any piece of glass or crystal but by far the most popular are my animals, with portraits of dogs, cats, horses, etc going all over the world as Judges gifts at dog shows, in private collections or commercial offices.
As well as high quality hand engraving I offer sand blasted engraving, printed glass and paintings, in water colour, pastels or acryllics.
I have a large selection of designs already hand engraved on glass and crystal which can be personalised, as well as selling plain crystal and glassware.
I take great care with my engraving and also with the handling and
packaging of the pieces I create. I do not release damaged or faulty pieces or 'seconds' I prefer to start again to ensure the client gets the top quality piece they have ordered and paid for.
If, in the unlikely event of any of my pieces being faulty (not damaged in transit through no fault of mine) I will, at my discretion and on receipt of the faulty piece, either replace it or give a refund.
Artwork services for my hand engraved pieces are free of charge. I just ask for a high quality photograph or drawing of the design. For pet portraits I need several shots of the animal(s) from different angles, so I can distinguish the coat pattern and markings.
All my hand engraved pieces are 'one-offs' as there is no way I can exactly duplicate anything I do by hand. However, for multiple quantities of any particular design I can offer a sandblasting or four colour pad printing service.
I normally quote delivery time as 'up to four weeks' but I can often send pieces out within half this time, depending on the complexity and quantity of the design.