Art on doorstep as glass talent bottled

People settling down for their morning cuppa may get a pleasant surprise when they pick up the milk bottle – an intricate engraving created by a Black Country artist.

Charlotte Hughes-Martin painstakingly engraves the bottles with her own designs, some serious, others funny, in her spare time. Once completed, the 29-year-old then returns the bottles to random doorsteps in the area, where they are collected for refilling.

Charlotte, originally from Cheshire, is based at the Red House Glass Cone, in Wordsley, Stourbridge, and uses a variety of techniques to engrave the bottles. Her inspiration comes from everyday life which is why the milk bottles are perfect to use for her work.

And fittingly many of her engravings are milk-related and feature cows. She first started engraving the bottles around four-months ago. Two pieces of her work have recently been short-listed for the prestigious national Glass Biennale prize.

She said: "Everyone should be able to enjoy art in their everyday life when they are simply going about their business.

"I just love the idea that my designs could bring a smile to someone's face as they make a cup of tea in the morning.

"I decided to do this because milk bottles get passed around an awful lot during their lifetime. The milk bottle you have in your hand has probably been to another 20 people or so beforehand.

"They are simply washed and passed along. I thought this was a great way of getting art out there."

Much of Charlotte's work can be viewed at the Cone.

Her work will also be exhibited at the International Festival of Glass, which will run from August 22 to 25 throughout the Stourbridge Glass Quarter.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environment and culture, said: "We are truly blessed to have a talent as great as Charlotte at the Cone."

l Have you found one of Charlotte's bottles on your doorstep? Contact our reporters on 01384 399910.