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Lesley Pike, Glass Engraver Out of Africa

Lesley Pyke left Zimbabwe in November 2001 carrying with her a lap top computer, two pairs of jeans and a dentists drill. Having been involved in business in Zimbabwe, the political situation there meant that a ‘white female boss’ lived in fear and so reluctantly, Lesley fled the country of her birth.

Starting all over again from her home in Spexhall, near Halesworth, Lesley produces the most beautiful and intricate works of art on glass using only her drill as a tool.

She began painting at a very early age since both her parents were artists and indeed does still paint as can be seen by a mural in a meditation room at Henstead near Beccles, but her affinity is most definitely with glass. Since discovering engraving Lesley has never looked back and intricate designs are etched onto any manner of glassware from vases to tankards. A selection of her work can be seen here.

Last summer, Lesley had a stand at the end of the pier in Southwold and etched some of the beautiful scenes into glassware, in particular the lighthouse and the church. In addition to the Southwold Scenes, locally Lesley has engraved a decanter for a member of the Halesworth Golf club on the occasion of his birthday and an engraving of a primary school for a retired head teacher.

In Bungay, Lesley recommends that Crocks in Earsham Street has a selection of glass ware that lends itself to her specialised skills.

All work is done on a commission basis. Anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, pets, or corporate events can be commemorated with a beautiful glass engraving and Lesley will be happy to oblige.

She invites customers to contact her first to discuss individual requirements and she will give advice on the type of glass which should be purchased, or alternatively customers may already have a particular piece that they would like engraved although it must be in pristine condition.

It might be a portrait of a mother or a child, a family pet, a favourite scene or a company logo – but whatever the customer chooses, Lesley will turn this into a work of art that can be admired and treasured. Sometimes people bring their own designs which Lesley will size up on her computer before transferring them to glass. Larger work might consist of mirrors or doors and Lesley has etched peacocks and palm trees on glass doors in large hotels and private homes.

The results have to be seen in reality to experience the amazing work that goes into producing such pieces and one of them is on show at Buckenham Galleries in Southwold and ‘The Bowl of the Sea’ was exhibited at a gallery in the West End of London before being bought by a collector.

To see more of Lesley’s work have a look at her website at www.lesleypyke.com or you can e-mail Lesley for further information.

Sincere thanks to Lesley for this interview with Sanderling Internet for bungay-suffolk.co.uk