Copper Fountains & Artwork
by Gary Pickles & Bronwen Glazzard

Designers & Makers Since 1996

Gary Pickles - Arts & Crafts Designer Maker

Go back to 1979 I was fresh out of school and knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I would pursue a career as a mechanic, working with my hands and repairing cars. This I did with great enthusiasm and I started on a Youth Training Scheme at Johnson's Garage, Hedon in 1980, finally getting an apprenticeship in 1981.

As a young man I loved to work with cars and excelled in my work for many years. Later in life I came to realise that not only was I frustrated with the job, but that it was not fulfilling my desire to be creative and not feeding my soul. In short, it was time for a total change in direction.

After 16 years in the job, I finally plucked up the courage to make a move. When the opportunity for voluntary redundancy came my way, I snatched it with both hands and said goodbye to the garage for the very last time.

That was back in 1996 and I haven't looked back since. I have been able to establish myself in the kind of job everyone dreams of, doing the things I love and being able to do them without commuting through rushour traffic on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong, it has its pitfalls and I get stressed sometimes just like everyone else, but at the end of the day I am my own boss and I can make all my own decisions.

I love being creative and being in my workshop gives me as much pleasure now as it did 20 years ago. I still get a buzz out of making something which someone will treasure and love for years. I've always been artistic and creative and now have the perfect job, which is fulfilling and food for the soul.

 

Bronwen Glazzard - Artist - Designer

Bronwen has always loved art and nature. As a young child she remembers being surrounded by beautiful woods and trees and painting pictures of them at her then family home in Marton, East Yorkshire. That inspiration from early days has stayed with her throughout her life.

She now enjoys drawing, painting, collage and printmaking and producing artwork for the Finch Tree fundraising trees and plaques.

She studied Art & Printmaking at Hull College.

Bronwen has been exhibiting her work at the prestigious ArtParks International Sculpture Park in Guernsey, since 2017. She is now working on new designs for fundraising trees and is also happy to work to commission.

Her work can be found in many public spaces across the UK including, Wildlife Tusts, Hospitals, Hospices and Charities.

www.bronwenglazzard.co.uk 

 

Gary Pickles & Bronwen Glazzard

Designers & Makers Since 1996

1996 Gary Pickles & Bronwen Glazzard were known as 'Glazed Expressions'. This was due in part, to the production of stained glass work, including glazed, hand-built wooden cabinets, tiffany lamps, panels and jewelery. At this time, we also produced a range of art-clocks, which introduced copper as a medium to work with.

1999 that we introduced our first copper water sculptures and at the time we were one of only a handful of producers of copper water features for the garden anywhere in the UK, launching our collection at the 'Gardeners World Live' show at the NEC. All of our designs were totally original and hand made with care and attention to detail in our small Yorkshire workshop.

2004, following the garden theme, we made the decision to reinvent ourselves and our website went live for the very first time, showcasing many garden features and pieces of garden furniture. As we were to concentrate on products solely for the garden, we decided to stop the production of stained glass and the business name was changed, to the more appropriate 'Metallic Garden'. As the name implies, the majority of our products were to be garden features made from a whole host of metals, including, lead, bronze, copper and steel.

Our range soon began to expand, to include the rusty iron plant supports and high quality metal garden benches. We also included products sourced from other specialist manufacturers, taking what we thought would best compliment our own products, whilst trying to ensure quality and value for money.

2014 Gary & Bronwen introduce the new range of Finch Tree® products. These include memory trees, fundraising and donation recognition trees and plaques, which can also be used as stunning wall sculptures. All of these products are made from high quality materials for indoor and outdoor use.

To date,we remain a small family business, giving a personal and friendly service to all of our customers. We try to be accessible at all times. We are always happy to talk to all of our customers and try to treat them as we would expect to be treated ourselves.

2023  Copper fountains have continued in popularity, but it was decided that we once again separate them from the Finch Tree products. Finch Tree and Metallic Garden continue to thrive, but as separate businesses.