Meeting with Elisabeth Cuffel, the stained glass artist

Light and color dance with glass

Elisabeth is anatypical craftswoman, as we are fortunate to have in Le Haut-Lignon.

She works as a stained glass artist, an intriguing craft that makes you want to take a closer look!
During my visit to her store, I really enjoyed meeting her and discovering the work of this passionate creator, a beautiful person I recommend you come across during your stay.

We’ll show you why Haut Lignon is a land of feminine craftsmanship…

Françoise Broussard Published on 23 May 2024

Are you a Tençoise at heart?

Elisabeth:

“I’m originally from Alsace, and I’ve lived in several big cities, and I felt that something was missing!
” When I arrived in Tence, I immediately felt at home.
People knew me first through Ciné Tence, and I was immediately adopted when I joined this association.”

Short demonstration

How do you become a stained glass artist?

Elisabeth:

At the Fêtes du roi de l’oiseau in September 2011, when I first came here, I met a stained glass artist at a stand, saw his work, and said to myself, that’s what I want to do!” It all clicked!

I looked for a training course through Pôle Emploi, and in November I was off to Creuse. I had my training course, my funding, my accommodation and, above all, a training supervisor.
I spent 6 months learning traditional stained glass from a master glassmaker with 40 years’ experience. And in Brioude, I learned fusing stained glass.

It’s true that your career path is crazy!

Transparent art

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Elisabeth Cuffel stained glass
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©E.Cuffel

Lead assembly demonstration

What techniques do you use?

Elisabeth:

“There are so many of them! These are ancestral techniques.
Traditional stained glass is very precise. The glass must be cut to within 2mm. I insert the glass into lead rods that I solder with tin.
Fusing is an 800° fusion of glass, with no glue. It’s an ancestral method that dates back 5/6000 years! The difficulty lies in the firing process, which lasts a minimum of 15 hours. The temperature rise and fall must not be different, otherwise the glass will break. Then comes the thermoforming phase, when I work the glass cold.”

What are your favorite creations?

Elisabeth:

“Flowers, I’m so happy to make flowers, I never get tired of them!
My creations are always turned towards nature, trees. Colors. And women.
Every time I have a new idea, I have to try it out!
I’ve just been commissioned to paint a nativity scene for an exhibition in St Pal en Chalencon. New projects, new creations. I start with a drawing, which I refine until I create it.
I also do restoration work, and I’m currently working on a project for the Devesset commandery.”

What an evolution since your very first debut in 2011!

Elisabeth:

“I started out with my workshop on the highly visible Place du Pont in Tence. This allowed me to make a name for myself. Then my Chemin de Blanc workshop, where I had less visibility. Not forgetting other experiences, markets, the chalet at Mont Gerbier de Jonc.”
“Up to the boutique, that was my dream….”
“It’s nice that people can see me.”

Elisabeth has always been involved in the village, so her store is open all year round.

Do you also run workshops?

Elisabeth:

“I wanted to share my passion with people.
So I offer small glass workshops for families aged 3 and over, fused piece creation workshops to take things further, and one-day courses for adults.
Since 2024, a new workshop: mobile wire and glass!
At first, you don’t realize how difficult it is. I help them, but they’re the ones doing it! It’s difficult, but in the end they’re happy, all the time.
It’s great to see people happy!”

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Small pieces of glass workshop
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Elisabeth Cuffel

Meet Elisabeth at one of her workshops!

Now that you know a little more about Elisabeth, push open the door of her boutique or go a step further and take part in her workshops.

Elisabeth shares her passion!

All year round, a program of workshops for all ages:

Little bits of glass workshop. A workshop for the whole family, from age 3 upwards.
The workshop has been awarded the Famille plus label!
Fused piece workshop. A workshop for children aged 8 and over and their parents 😉
New for 2024: Mobile wire and glass workshop

13Aug

Atelier petits bouts de verre

27Aug

Atelier fusion

Other craftsmen

Le Haut-Lignon is a land of craftsmen and women. Talented, young, men and women, all very attached to their region!

Know-how and creations, visit our workshops, work with hands and materials, tools and the world of shapes… We invite you to push open the doors of our artisans.

Designer markets

Artisans d’art organize beautiful creators’ markets during the summer or at Christmas time.

Loz’ Arts Auvergne and Cré’Ateliers du Haut-Lignon bring together craftspeople and organize annual markets showcasing a wide range of skills throughout the Haute-Loire summer season.

You can take advantage of this in Haut-Lignon, where numerous events are scheduled.