Pipsiglass: meaningful keepsakes for the swimming community

Pip Wilson creates figurines and meaningful keepsakes for the swimming community inspired by her love of water

Tell us a bit about your swim background

As a child I used to regularly swim in the sea having grown up next to a beach. In adulthood, I ventured further afield to places as exotic, challenging and varied as Hawaii, The North Sea and regular New Year’s Day swims in Cornwall. Sadly, I can no longer cold water swim due to a long-standing condition, so I live vicariously and draw inspiration from my best friend, Debbie, who still swims daily and swears by the health benefits of cold water swimming. Indeed, many of the swim figurines that I have produced are based on Debbie.

How does being around water enhance your life?

While I can no longer cold swim, immersion in heated bathing pools leaves me feeling refreshed, renewed and invigorated. A decade ago, before my condition stopped me participating in cold water swimming, one of my proudest moments was to take regular annual dips in a freezing lake in Nebraska, USA for charity. The ice was so thick it had to be cut with chainsaws to allow participants to get into the water. We raised over $10,000 that day for special Olympics participants and felt so proud to be part of the community that got several athletes to their own Olympics!

Where did the inspiration come for Pipsiglass?

Once wild swimming was off the table, I was looking for something to keep me challenged and provide a little income so I could still go travelling to warmer climes to enjoy my dips. Before starting Pipsiglass I was lucky enough to receive tuition from a talented stained glass artist who renovated and replaced many of the enormous stained glass windows in major UK Cathedrals. After reviewing some of my initial designs she gave me the confidence to jump into crafting unique pieces and launching online. Through my art I hope to provide smiles and meaningful keepsakes to customers.

What makes Pipsiglass unique?

Pipsiglass offers stained glass collectibles and suncatchers that relate directly to the collectors themselves. For example, I produce swimming figurines in custom colours and poses, that reflect the favourites of that swimmer. Many of our customers at Pipsiglass request figurines and keep sakes for their swimming community friends and family. Our customer feedback confirms that they were enthusiastically and gratefully received!

Having originally set up in the Lake District, due to family circumstances Pipsiglass has relocated to the West Country, where every piece is handmade in our workshop. The glass used in Pipsiglass products is ethically sourced and all finished products are shipped in recycled cardboard and protective packaging.

As someone who crafts inspirational wild swimmer figurines in beautiful stained glass, I’ve seen first-hand the power of community support through fellow glass artists.

I believe that local small businesses have never been more vital. These enterprises are the backbone of our communities, providing unique products, services, and experiences that enrich our lives and at Pipsiglass we heartily support that community.

Where can people buy and connect with you?

Head over to Pipsiglass.com or search for ‘Pipsiglass’ on Folksy.com. You can also check out our posts on Instagram @Pipsiglass.

Pipsiglass are offering £5 off for Outdoor Swimmer readers – just quote ‘OS5’ in the shopping cart.