Biography

So What About Me?

Hi there and thank you for your interest in my work which I create in my studio in Surrey... well shed in the garden

I am a lampworker which means I am legitimately allowed to play with fire with a torch hot enough to melt pyrex.

I melt glass rods made from Venetian, German or American glass. The glass is shaped into art components and art beads by wrapping molten glass around a steel mandrel. Colours and textures are overlayed to create a unique piece of art.

The bead is then annealed in a digitally controlled kin over a number of hours. This releases the stress created within the glass as it is shaped making it more durable and with care last a lifetime.

My journey into working with fire and flame started in late July '06. I was looking for focal beads or fused pieces to mount into the silver jewellery I was making. I wanted something unique as many of the hand made pieces of jewellery on the market somehow looked similar. I wanted something different.

I can remember being 5 years old and being distraught when my necklace broke but consumed by how I could put it back together again. I found making something completely new with the aid of my gran's sequin box amazing. Having always been a bit of a magpie, being drawn to things that sparkle, making jewellery seemed like the natural development. Being creative meets a need in me as there are times when I am stressed that I have an incredible need to create something. That desire has led me onto an amazing journey where I get to play with fire and molten glass.

By training I am an Occupational Therapist and in the past have had the opportunity to use crafts to help clients with mental health problems. Unfortunately in my current job I am not able to do this, and really miss having this time in my week. Making my own pieces of glass and silver fills this need.

Thank you for your interest in my work