When fused glass artist Eva Edery hangs the last of her artworks in the Radlett Centre, the moment will signify more than simply being ready for her exhibition there next month. The show’s title offers something of a clue as to what it will mean to her – To Life!

Five years ago, the then management consultant was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and lived with the cancer for 18 months. She is now in remission.

“I had always painted, but only as a side thing,“ says the 46-year-old who lives in Edgware. “ I made a glass table top for our kitchen. Then I started going to evening classes, and after about four months I began getting my own commissions. Then I had an open day at my house and got a lot of orders, so I decided, you know what, I’m going to go into this – and I left my job.“

The commissions continued to build and, 18 months ago, Eva built her own workshop and kiln at the bottom of her garden, and set up her own business, Crescendo Art, to sell her own artworks and drive innovation in fused glass art.

Fused glass, or kiln-formed glass, is a relatively new artistic discipline in which layers of sheet glass are put together and fired in a kiln to become fused into one piece. It is a very versatile medium and allows the integration of coloured glass, metals, paints, recycled objects and artificial lighting.

Eva’s creations, which can be both bespoke and off-the-shelf, include home décor, lighting, clocks, vases, mirrors, frames, platters, tiles and splash backs.

She also works with businesses and corporations, creating branded pieces for their receptions and lobbies, and runs workshops teaching people how to make their own fused glass artwork.

“I’m trying to incorporate art within the living environment,“ says Eva, who is originally from Spain and has lived in Morocco, France, Germany and Israel, “so it’s not just something that you have hanging from the wall, but is also functional.“

Eva exhibited at the Radlett Centre last year as well and it was such a success that she was invited back again this year.

“I’ve dedicated this exhibition to life,“ she says, “to the five years since my diagnosis. I always say you have to be positive, to try to fulfil your dreams. It’s a big risk to change careers but, you know what, once you’ve got through cancer anything else doesn’t seem so scary!

“You only have one life so you just have to go for it, live it to the full.“

  • To Life! is at the Radlett Centre, Ground Floor Gallery, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett from February 1 to 28. Details: 01923 859291, radlettcentre.co.uk, crescendo-art.co.uk