<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>334852</docID> <postdate>2024-12-18 04:00:30</postdate> <headline>Peter turns over his old gin bottles in the name of art</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-334853" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/King-OMalley-Canberra-Glassworks-Sapphire-Vase-08.2024-Spring-shoot-in-the-Glassworks-Hotshop-3-resized-e1733551501638.jpg" alt="" width="786" height="523" /></p> <caption>The repurposed Bombay Sapphire Gin bottles as blue-coloured glass vases.</caption> <p><b>In a collaboration between two well-known Canberra institutions, empty gin bottles are getting a new lease of artistic life.</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inspired by the clear blue of the Bombay Sapphire Gin bottles, local pub owner Peter Barclay began to put aside the empties from King O'Malleys awaiting an idea.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it came, he contacted Canberra Glassworks’ production and commissions manager Jacqeline Knight with the thought that his collection of empty blue bottles might be repurposed. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">D</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">esigner and glassblower Katie-Ann Houghton turned the bottles into vases, five of which are now hung in his Civic pub as a bespoke chandelier. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It is a wonderful partnership and a beautiful story,†Peter says. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We’re so lucky to create something that has a Canberra history.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s not just recycling – it’s upcycling.â€</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Typically the bottles, along with other recycled glass, would find their way into granulated road base, but the team at the Kingston glassworks were quick to get to work, playing around with the donated bottles. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Initially, they found the glass lost its colour when melted down and decided it had to be moulded into something new if the signature blue colour was to be maintained. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After cutting the tops from the bottles, it was Katie-Ann’s idea to create a steel mould, something that could be used to melt the bottles into a new, octagonal shape for the vases. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This new method would result in the bottles being stretched from their four-point shape to eight neat points by blowing into the heated glass from a blow pipe. The original embossing on the front and base of the bottle is still visible on the vase. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It honestly breaks my heart to see something so beautiful go to waste,†says Jacqueline. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is why we are here. We want to repurpose glass to make something that is beautiful, practical and bespoke.â€</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The tops of the bottles are reused for other projects around the facility. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Everything gets used,†says Jacqueline. “There’s no waste.â€</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Katie-Ann has a team of five working with her on the project, with small batches of 30 to 40 vases made at a time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s a slow process,†says Jacqueline. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The vases require hours between each stage to allow them to properly cool down.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The end result is something that is entirely unique.â€</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The King O’Malleys x Canberra Glassworks sapphire vases limited edition collection continues to be a hit. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Peter has been amazing at marketing for us,†says Jacqueline. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s been a great collaboration between two Canberra businesses.â€</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The vases can be bought at the Canberra Glassworks Shop. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Handmade glass and glassblowing is an endangered skill,†says Jacqueline.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s important that our artists’ hard work is recognised.â€</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Katie-Ann can often be found in the Hotshop, which has a viewing deck for visitors to watch the process live. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Her work has included reusing other bottles, including creating glasses and decanters from wine bottles. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Peter continues to collect and donate the Bombay Sapphire bottles, with all proceeds going towards the artists.</span></p> <p> </p> </body>