Iota Glass is a stained glass studio located in the heart of Cambridge, run by Isabelle Davies, a skilled stained glass artist and conservator.

Isabelle specialises in both the design and creation of new stained glass works, as well as the conservation and restoration of historic pieces in private residences and public secular and ecclesiastical buildings.

Isabelle at Iota Glass. She is a young woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling, wearing a blue denim jumpsuit and black apron, standing in front of a green leafy hedge with lights and holding a painting brush.

Isabelle’s journey began with a degree in Classical Archaeology from Oxford University, where her appreciation for ancient art and artefacts was nurtured. Combining this background with her passion for painting and drawing, she found the perfect fit of stained glass. She went on to earn an MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management from the University of York. Her dedication to craft and conservation was recognized through scholarships awarded by the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, the Anna Plowden Trust, and the York Consortium for Craft and Conservation.

Isabelle has worked at Canterbury Cathedral Studios and had placements at the York Glaziers Trust and Reyntiens Glass Studio in London - the latter part of the Ashton Hill Award from the Worshipful Company of Glaziers. These experiences have enriched her technical skills and deepened her understanding of stained glass traditions and techniques.

Person holding a rectangular piece of purple streaky glass in front of a clear blue sky, with a building's roof on the left and a watch on their wrist.

In her contemporary stained glass work, Isabelle embraces the bold beauty of stained and leaded glass. Her independent projects often explore expressive figural and natural themes. Employing a diverse palette of glass colors and textures, along with techniques such as etching, glass painting, and leadwork, she aims to create pieces that are vivid, emotive, and inspiring.

Beyond creation, Isabelle is deeply committed to heritage preservation. Her conservation work ranges from cleaning stained glass and repairing painted sections to writing condition reports. She finds great fulfillment in developing and implementing conservation solutions that respect the original work. She has presented her work at stained glass conferences nationally and internationally and undertakes art historical and technical research. Currently, Isabelle also contributes her expertise as a member of the Plowden Medal conservation award committee.

Please get in touch if you are interested in discussing a commission or a conservation project!

Isabelle, wearing a denim jumpsuit and black apron, is working on a large drawing of leaves on a table, using a pencil to trace the outlines.