Biography

Born in 1962, I started making silver jewellery in 1994. Glass bead making began seriously in February 2003.

I come from a background of craft and technology, which included making clothes and hats in my leisure time, and graduated from Middlesex University in 1984 with an HND in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in production and design. After 15 years working in industry as a designer and project manager I have now opted for family life and the chance to change career direction.

My progression into working with glass comes naturally after my love of glass beads and gemstones, making silver jewellery for several years and a long lasting passion for colour.

I took a 2 day glass bead making starter course in March 2002 thinking it would give me an idea of whether to pursue making my own simple glass beads to incorporate into my jewellery and found myself drawn into the amazing and exciting world of hot glass – which has now completely taken over.

My bead designs are mainly organic incorporating delicious swirls of toning colours and are often inspired by my surroundings. In contrast to this my jewellery designs are mainly geometric and are inspired by the wide variety of patterns occurring naturally and manmade in our environment. I love the natural geometry and symmetry occurring particularly in plants and I am fascinated by the play of light on various manmade structures. I find the rugged Cornish coast particularly inspiring especially the quality of light seen around St. Ives. My popular Porthmeor series of beads is inspired by the view of the Atlantic Ocean from the Tate Gallery St. Ives.

I love the beautiful way the glass behaves, and its unpredictable reactions with other colours demands regular sessions at the torch. I am led by the way the hot glass melts and flows, influencing the design evolution. I have truly found a medium where I can create random designs and one off pieces.

 

Courses

• 1984 HND Mechanical Engineering specialising in Production and Design
• 1994 Enterprise Kickstart
• 1994 Bridal Sewing Techniques
• 1994 Lingerie Sewing Techniques
• 1994, 2001, 2002 Lost Wax Casting
• 1994 Chain and bead making
• 1998 Chasing and Repouse
• 2000, 2001 Anodising Aluminium
• 1999, 2001 Etching for jewellery
• 2001 Emphasis on Texturing and Finishing metal jewellery
• 2002 Glass Beadmaking
• 2004 Pearl & Bead Stringing
• 2006 Is this Glass? Advanced lampworking techniques with Kate Fowle Meleney. The course covered enamels, vitreous overlay, electroforming and the use of metals
• 2006 Murrini. Advanced lampworking techniques with Loren Stump, to make components for a shaded face cane, which comprised of separate eyes, nose and mouth cane.
• 1999 – Present Ongoing attendance at jewellery making course. I continue to explore forging techniques. At present we are also experimenting with cuttlefish casting

Society Membership

Surrey Guild of Craftsmen

2 by 4 Artists

Glass Beadmakers UK (GBUK)

International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB)

The Bead Society of Great Britain

SRA D14 – Member of Self Representing Artists Scheme for Glass Beadmakers