Walgrave-based stained glass artist, Rachael Aldridge, had made the occasional trophy in the past but it was something of a departure for her to be invited to design and manufacture 13 unique trophies for the Annual Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2013. The January/February issue of Village Connect featured articles on two of the winners: Oundle Mill and Warner Edwards Distillery.

Rachael was contacted by the event organiser, Rachel Mallows, who had viewed her stained glass on her website. As the event celebrates different aspects of Northamptonshire Food and Drink it is the policy to invite a different local craftsperson to make the bespoke awards every year. After initial consultations the painted design showing a barley field in  silhouette was chosen as it can be a key ingredient to food and drink production.

The three award categories were represented by different colours: clear glass for Chefs, amber glass for Produce, and blue glass for Venues. Each trophy was hand painted with the chosen design, so each is unique, fired in Rachael’s kiln and then set into a black wooden base to be finished of with the winner’s plaque. It was a thrilling experience for Rachael to use her skills for a different outcome and an honour to be a part of something that celebrates local excellence. Specializing in glass painting allows Rachael to draw upon her artistic knowledge and skills in order to create images in any style through the manipulation of texture, colour, and light. In addition, she designs and manufactures bespoke stained glass windows for both public and private commission and also restores existing stained glass windows.

Local public commissions include the Millennium Windows at St Edwards RC Church in Kettering as well as works of art for St Mary’s Middle School in Northampton and Southfield School for Girls in Kettering. Rachael is a member of Northants Guild of Designer Craftsmen and regularly takes part in Northants Open Studios; she has recently joined The National Churches Trust as a Trade Associate.

For more information, please visit www.aldridgeglass.co.uk or call Rachael on 01604 781924

 

Rachael Aldridge - Trophy Triumph

Rachael Aldridge - Trophy Triumph

Rachael Aldridge - Trophy Triumph