What inspired you to get into glass blowing?
I started out painting on to ready made glass objects and
further on I wanted to create my own shapes and forms to paint on
to. When I finally found the excitement of blowing glass I forgot
all about the painting!
What’s the most exciting or meaningful commission you’ve
had?
I think it was my first ever big commission. It was for
Edinburgh University in 2006, just as I started up my own business
as a glass maker. It gave me the initial confidence to believe in
my work as a professional artist. This commission is now
annual.
Are there any artists you particularly admire, and who inspire
or influence your work?
Dante Marioni and Dale Chihuly. Both make objects made with very
high skills in a very delicate and organic way, using clean modern
shapes but still keeping with a strong recognisable character.
Tell us about the collection you’re presenting in Meet Your
Maker.
I will be showing my newest lighting pieces, which use blown
glass combined with traditional skills and contemporary aesthetics,
producing chandeliers and innovative glass pendants. The glass
together with modern minimal stainless steel frames are enlightened
with environmental friendly LEDs.
My lighting can be tailor-made depending on the customer's needs
and the specific site involved. I am using traditional glass
blowing techniques, making every piece unique.
My lighting works have come about through extended research and
photographing of plants at the Royal Botanical Gardens in
Edinburgh.
I will also produce some smaller lighting works for the selling
exhibition. This work was inspired by ice and snow during one of my
cross country skiing trips in snow covered Sweden. Here my work
will play with clear and white colours, transparency and soft
organic forms.
What are your plans for the future?
Build on my own portfolio and expression, which lately have been
neglected whilst making bespoke public commissions over the last 15
months.
What is your favourite piece of craft that you own?
My beautiful painted papier-mache elephants which I bought last
year when my husband and I stayed in Mumbai.