About Me
Welcome to my website and thanks for stopping by. My name is Heather Wheaton and I am a lampwork glass artist. My studio workshop is in my home in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This is truly where I am the happiest and it’s where the magic happens. I learned the ancient art of lampworking in 2010 and have been practicing and learning ever since. I begin the process with glass rods from Italy, China and the US. The glass is slowly melted in the flame to a molten state using a torch that is fueled by natural gas and oxygen. When the glass is molten, it’s dropped on to a stainless-steel rod to make a bead or an object. There are many design techniques and tools available to use in glass working. Upon completion, the items are immediately set into a digitally operated kiln to anneal for a few hours for durability and then inspected and cleaned thoroughly by me.
At the end of 2014, I quit my full-time job and began working at home: half-time devoted to practicing and honing my lampworking skills and the other half working with my husband in our engineering company. Over the next four years, unexpected medical issues arose. Melting glass became my therapy. Many hours were spent at the torch in quiet concentration.
During the last few years (with the exception of Covid 2020), I have participated in many art markets in Calgary and the surrounding area. Starting up a conversation about glass is one of my favourite things. I love sharing my passion with those who stop to look.
Currently, you can find my work at: Motive Art Academy in Southcentre Mall, Calgary, Alberta.
I have participated in art classes in 2016, 2018, and 2022 at Red Deer College (Red Deer, Alberta) summer school, learning from some of the best artists in this field. I also completed a metal work class at the Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary in 2019. There is always something new to learn and I will continue to search out new opportunities going forward.
Calgary has been my home for over 28 years. I am blessed to have a wonderful and supportive husband, three beautiful adult children, one lovely daughter-in-law and three adorable granddaughters. Family time is very important to me. I also love to garden, bake, and camp in the mountains close to home.
To contact me about any item you see here, please send me an email at: info@purplesparrow.ca. You can also give me a call at: (403) 829-2170.
I look forward to connecting with you.
Women's Heart Health
I was interviewed in my studio for a piece on women’s heart health that was put out on International Women’s Day 2023. It is a topic that is close to my heart. Check it out to hear some interesting facts about heart events in women and to see my studio in action and some of the pieces I’m working on. Watch to the end to hear from me!
