Bourbon Biscuits, Broken Glass, and a Bit of Dub Reggae

Glass artist Clive (aka K8create) shares stories from the studio, where old fragments find new life – fuelled by tea, music, and a good sense of humour.

Clive Perryman - the artist behind K8create - has been working with glass for over three decades. His studio sits quietly at the bottom of his garden, where lost and broken fragments of glass are given new life in his hands. We had a lovely catch-up with Clive about how it all began, what keeps him inspired, and why you can’t cut glass in a bad mood…

A moment of magic

Clive’s creative path started with a moment many of us might overlook. As a child, he was left standing beneath the Rose Window in York Minster while his dad popped out for a quick cigarette. That brief pause left a lasting impression.

“The colours, the shapes – I was completely fascinated,” he says. “I didn’t know it then, but that’s where it started.”

Fast forward a few decades, and Clive is still enchanted by glass – though now, he’s the one doing the creating.

Learning the craft

Over the years, Clive has taken a wide range of courses with glass professionals, picking up both traditional and contemporary techniques. “I wanted to learn as much as I could – painting, fusing, all of it,” he says. “It’s such a versatile material, and there’s always more to explore.”

Stories in glass

What makes Clive’s work so personal is the way it’s often rooted in other people’s stories. He’s not one to sit down with a fixed idea – inspiration tends to arrive through conversation.

“People bring me what matters to them – memories, thoughts, even moods – and I try to interpret those through glass,” he explains. “It’s a bit like translation, but visual.”

He’s especially drawn to working with lost or damaged glass – the pieces others might discard. “There’s something beautiful about giving those fragments a second chance.”

A love of nature (and reggae)

Nature is a recurring theme in Clive’s work, though he’s just as happy taking inspiration from music. His studio playlist is famously eclectic – ranging from Gregorian chants to heavy dub reggae, depending on the day.

There’s no set routine, though. “Glass doesn’t forgive distraction,” he says. “If I’m not in the right frame of mind, I don’t cut. It’s that simple.”

An ideal creative day involves coffee, good tunes, kindred spirits – and everything going smoothly. (Tea, though, is the default mug-filler. And yes, there are usually Bourbon biscuits to hand.)

Turning points and proud moments

Like many artists, Clive’s journey hasn’t always been straightforward. Recently, health issues have meant taking a step back from making at full tilt – but his love for the craft hasn’t faded.

One particular high point was being invited to demonstrate his traditional glasswork at the RHS Spring Flower Show at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern. “It was a real honour,” he says. “Moments like that remind you why you do it.”

And finally…

You can find Clive’s work under the name K8create – online and sometimes in person at exhibitions and events.

And in case you were wondering – no, he doesn’t wear sandals. And horses? Not really his thing.