{"id":1441,"date":"2021-02-19T10:37:08","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T10:37:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/centreforjournalismprojects.co.uk\/InvictaNews\/?p=1441"},"modified":"2021-02-22T13:39:04","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T13:39:04","slug":"secret-artist-hiding-glass-heart-treasures-across-medway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centreforjournalismprojects.co.uk\/InvictaNews\/2021\/02\/19\/secret-artist-hiding-glass-heart-treasures-across-medway\/","title":{"rendered":"Secret artist hiding glass heart treasures across Medway"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An anonymous artist is spreading happiness and kindness by hiding glass hearts around Medway for people to find during this dark lockdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the hearts are made from glass, they can be easily sanitised and are small enough to keep in a pocket. The artist, who wishes to remain anonymous, says she does not want praise for the project, but to sit back and smile, quietly knowing she has made a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The hearts are made from four pieces of glass in two layer’s and then fired on a full fuse to melt and merge the glass together. <\/em>
Picture: Secret Hearts Facebook Page<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The project first started by making 150 hearts to send to staff on the Covid wards at Medway Maritime Hospital. She says: \u201cI wanted them to know that their personal sacrifice was noticed and appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to send them something they could keep rather than just chocolates or biscuits; something they could look at to remind themselves that they are appreciated and loved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With some hearts left over, the artist decided to hide the remaining ones around Medway for people to find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the project had a bumpy start. When hanging a heart in a tree, the artist slipped due to icy conditions and broke her left wrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She adds: \u201c<\/strong>Luckily, I had a heart in my right dominant hand, so I didn\u2019t put it out to save myself. And yes, I did hide that remaining heart before grumbling my way back into the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThankfully, hubby was driving. Amusingly, the rogue heart was the first one that was found. When I saw the reaction to it, I knew I had to continue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, it is a full-scale operation enlisting the help of joggers, dog walkers, and children volunteering their time to hide the delicate little treasures, with more than 1,500 hearts hidden \u2013 and counting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The glassmaker adds: \u201cI have a wonderful band of happy hiders who have polished up their ninja skills and are fabulous at secretly hiding them on their day-to-day travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany of the hiders have commented on how doing something good for others has lifted their own spirits enormously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n