As 2024 draws to a close, we took a moment to reflect on the year for Jo Downs Handmade Glass. From unveiling new collections to opening our stunning gallery in Truro, it’s been a year of creativity, community and celebration. Here is our year in focus.
What have been some of the highlights for Jo Downs Handmade Glass over the past year?
Launching Roseland Giftware Collection and the Artisan Beachcomber Collection featuring recycled glass. And of course, opening the Truro Gallery on Lemon Street.
Have there been any particular collections or pieces that have stood out or received special recognition this year?
As above, Roseland has become one of the most popular collections and Beachcomber has really resonated with our customers with its jewel-like qualities. For Christmas our new Festive Fish hangings with their cute Santa hats have proved so popular we have only just kept up with demand, closely followed by Wandering Star
How have you seen your relationship with Cornwall evolve in your work over the past year, especially with the new gallery in Truro?
It’s been great to be back in Truro and meeting old and new customers. The feedback has been amazing from day one – even before we officially opened people were trying to come in and browse. It’s wonderful to be back in our capital city. Cornwall is the whole inspiration for our work from the coastline to the moors.
What role has community engagement played in Jo Downs Handmade Glass this year, and are there any initiatives or partnerships you’re especially proud of?
We try and support as many local charities as possible with raffle prizes; it’s lovely to get feedback from the winners. Jo joined The FTD Brothers who took on an incredible challenge to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK to help find a cure for FTD (early-onset dementia) by running the length of the UK. Starting in John O’Groats and finishing in Land's End Jo joined them for part of the Cornwall leg of their incredible journey. We also gave one of our gorgeous Atlantic Shoals as a raffle prize. Jo and the team also take part in the Padstow to Rock Swim each year to raise money for Marie Curie.
How has the response been to the new gallery in Truro, and what do you think makes it unique among your other locations?
The response has been amazing and beyond our expectations. Truro is such a vibrant city and the location on Lemon Street in such a beautiful building has really helped. The window displays have captured people as they pass by and stop to take a closer look. Having the brilliant Christmas Market in Lemon Quay brings so many happy shoppers into the city and it’s lovely to chat about the glass art and what inspires Jo and the team.
Have there been any specific challenges for the business this year, and how have you navigated them?
As with a lot of businesses in Cornwall, although we are not directly involved with tourism the drop in visitor numbers have impacted us. Increased costs of raw materials, energy and delivery have increased pressures on the business, but we try to be as innovative as possible with our collections, offering beautiful products to our customers. There is definitely a value to being a Handmade in Cornwall brand, as people appreciate the care, design and provenance.
With sustainability becoming an increasing focus for artisans, have there been any new approaches or practices implemented at Jo Downs Handmade Glass?
We are always reviewing our packaging and have invested in a cardboard shredding machine to recycle boxes to use again as packaging fillers. Our bags are made from recycled plastic bottles. The Beachcomber collection uses a myriad of recycled glass to create a multifaceted surface of light and has become a favourite with our customers.
How has the public’s appreciation for fused glass evolved recently, and how has this influenced your work?
Running the fused glass workshops in Launceston and Sunningdale really opens peoples eye’s to the process. Simply cutting glass can be quite daunting and gives our customers a real appreciation of the skills the team here have developed. There are some amazing glass artists based in Cornwall and the rest of the UK, and we all have different specialisms and influences. It’s a wonderful medium to work in and constantly surprises me.
Reflecting personally, how has this past year impacted you as an artist and as a leader in the fused glass industry?
Proud of how we have weathered a challenging year and the whole team has put in that extra effort to get us through. 2025 is looking exciting with the possibilities of another gallery. As an artist, it has been a year of experimentation, experimentation and experimentation with new materials and techniques which is fascinating and awe-inspiring when I discover something new.
