With over 15 years of experience, I have had the privilege of working on stained glass windows spanning from the 12th century to the 21st century. My expertise lies in traditional glass-painting techniques, and the conservation and restoration of historic stained glass. I take pride in ensuring that each piece is preserved and celebrated for its historical and artistic value. I am passionate about preserving the craft of stained glass, and regularly support trainees and work placement students. My latest new stained glass designs are largely inspired by my love of nature and birds, fusing modern and traditional techniques.

My passion for stained glass began as a student of art admiring the work of Patrick Reyntiens and John Piper. This inspired me to study Architectural Glass at Swansea Metropolitan University where I graduated with a BA Hons in 2010. Here I mastered all the traditional stained glass techniques, such as glass cutting, painting, glazing and acid etching, as well many modern techniques such as fusing, casting, sandblasting and spray enamelling. My dedication to the craft was recognized when I received the Worshipful Company of Glaziers Award for Excellence in 2010, which afforded me the opportunity to spend a year travelling and honing my skills at stained glass studios across Britain and Germany. This led to a year working at Reyntiens Glass Studio making a new stained glass window for Westminster Hall, as a gift to the Queen from the Houses of Parliament in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

From 2012 to 2014, I was delighted to work as a stained-glass conservator at the renowned Burrell Collection in Glasgow, home to the third largest collection of medieval stained glass in the world. This position was generously funded by the Clothworkers Foundation and allowed me to work on some of the most intricate and historically significant stained glass in the country.

I won funding from the York Consortium for Craftsmanship and Conservation, Anna Plowden and the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust Scholarship towards my MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management from the University of York, which I graduated from in 2015. This advanced education has been instrumental in shaping my approach to larger scale conservation and heritage management projects.

Since completing my MA I have been based in Yorkshire, where I have had the honour of working for other studios, caring for stained glass in numerous museums, churches, and cathedrals. Each project is approached with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that the beauty and integrity of the stained glass are preserved for future generations to enjoy.

My research focuses on uncovering the secrets of medieval stained glass craftsmanship, with a particular emphasis on the creation of exquisite 'jewels' that adorn these timeless works of art. Through meticulous study and experimentation, I seek to understand the techniques and materials used by medieval artisans to craft these radiant gems that bring stained glass windows to life.

In addition to my passion for stained glass I am a proud mum to Rory and Evie, as well as our furry family of pet rabbits. I am a qualified mental health first aider and specialist autism support mentor and coach. I take great pride in creating a supportive, inclusive and flexible working environment for our team at Woodside Stained Glass.

I am continuing my professional development through the Institute for Conservation Pathway to Accreditation. In addition to this, in 2024 I was delighted to be invited to join the Church Building Council Stained Glass Advisory Committee as an observer participant.

I have a decade of hands-on experience of working in stained glass conservation with both medieval and modern glass. With a background in archiving and public engagement, over the years I've specialised in medieval stained glass and the development of advanced environmental protective glazing systems in order to protect it.

One of my key specialisations is working with manganese bronze to frame intricately shaped and fragile stained glass. This expertise allows me to protect these precious works of art, ensuring they are preserved for future generations to admire and study. In addition to my extensive experience working on stained glass in situ, I have specialised in use of digital software to create cutlines and framing templates, designed framing specifications for steel fabrication and developed fully integrative documentation templates. My research has been featured in Vidimus, the leading online magazine dedicated to medieval stained glass. I have also been honoured to lecture at conferences for the Institute for Conservation, sharing my knowledge and insights with fellow professionals and enthusiasts. I taught the MA module 'Basic Glass Handling and Stained Glass Conservation' for the University of York's MA in Stained Glass Conservation, 2018. I also edited and formatted the book of forum papers for the Corpus Vitrearum conference Stained Glass: Art at the Surface, 2017.

More recently I have been enjoying exploring the fusion of tradition and innovation by experimenting with printmaking techniques in stained glass, creating intricate designs that captivate, inspired by my love of walking and nature. Facilitating a healthy working environment which prioritises physical and psychological safety is of the utmost importance to me. In order to facilitate this and keep up to date with the latest research I am a qualified first aider and mental health first aider and trained counsellor.

In 2015, I graduated with an MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management from the University of York. This program equipped me with the knowledge and theory necessary to tackle the complex challenges of stained glass conservation. I am grateful to the York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship, the Anna Plowden Trust, the Headley Trust, the Reid Trust, and the Yorkshire Ladies Council of Education, for funding my studies. Since graduating, I have had the privilege of working on a wide range of conservation projects, each deepening my appreciation for this intricate art form.

My research has delved deep into the world of textured glasses—those fascinating, intricate pieces that add depth, character, and a touch of magic to stained glass compositions. My recent work with Rainbow Glass Studio as Conservation Manager has opened my eyes to the extraordinary Arts and Crafts stained glass of nineteenth-twentieth century Scotland, and I have a keen interest in the techniques and glassmaking of this period. More recently I have carried out research into acid etching techniques, used to modify the light through glass. I have a keen interest in using new technologies to document historic stained glass and develop new designs.

As an advocate for knowledge-sharing and collaboration, I actively engage with fellow professionals, enthusiasts, and researchers in the stained glass community. Through lectures, publications, and collaborative projects, I strive to foster a deeper appreciation for these unique elements of stained glass artistry.

My commitment to excellence drives me to continuously refine my techniques and stay abreast of the latest developments in the field. Whether I am conserving a centuries-old window or developing new protective glazing systems, my goal is always to preserve the beauty and integrity of stained glass. Experienced in site work, I hold a CSCS card and pride myself on conscientious health and safety practice, in the workplace and away.

Merlyn has over ten years of experience in stained glass conservation specialising in research, documentation and conservation techniques. in addition to an MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management from the University of York. Merlyn is a talented artist in her own right at The Littlest Falcon.