As you may know, I am a member of the Contemporary Glass Society (CGS). Every two years there is an event called the International Festival of Glass, which includes the British Glass Biennale exhibition and opportunities to take part in workshops and learn new glass skills. CGS holds a ‘postcard’ exhibition of small works of glass, measuring 10 x 15cm, at each show.

The theme for 2024 was ‘Thanks for the Memory’, partly because the Festival directors were handing over to a new organisation after hosting the event for 20 years in Stourbridge, West Midlands, and the Board wanted to look back over those years.

Over 100 postcards were entered for the exhibition, some reflecting the Festival over the years and others showing more personal memories of the individual exhibitors. Techniques, subjects and styles were as varied as the makers.

I decided that my postcard would be in homage to my black cat, Beauty, who died a few years ago. You may have seen her in photos I posted in the past as she was always keen to check what I was working on with my stained glass. Sometimes she would curl up to sleep on my tray of copper foiled stained glass (no sharp edges or splinters by that stage!). She would also enjoy examining stained glass windows I had made while I had them propped up for cleaning.

She was the most affectionate, fluffy cat, who would always jump on your lap as soon as you sat down. We had 10 lovely years together.

My postcard design was sketched out on the computer initially. It comprised a cream coloured glass back panel with a blue glass frame and a black glass cat sitting in front, as though in a window. I added little, blue glass forget-me-not flowers on wire to give a more 3D effect and added wire eyes and whiskers. As you can see, I made a few adjustments to the piece in the real version.

I was pleased to hear that this special stained glass panel was sold at the exhibition and I hope it went to someone who has or had their own black cat.