When people come into my studio they often make comments about how lucky I am to be doing something I really enjoy. I know, I am really lucky but to get to this point has taken a lot of years of hard work and sacrifice but it has all been worth it to do something I feel really passionate about. To be able to get up in the morning and feel excited about coming into work is a gift.

The passion comes from not only working with the glass myself but being able to teach others. I was a school teacher, (and still am a teacher, but teaching glass) for a large part of my life. I am a good teacher. I know I can create an environment within my studio that is relaxed and supports learning. And when life starts throwing more challenging things at me all I need to do is read comments like the one below , from a student that took part in a workshop, and I know that what I do has meaning.

"My beautiful bowl has, at long last, made it safely to London! I am beyond thrilled with it and could not have imagined ever making anything like that (with quite a lot of help from you, of course!). Thank you so much for being such a terrific teacher, so patient and encouraging. You really built my confidence to a point where I thought I could actually do it. Thanks too for your determination to see it through after the first bowl turned up its toes! I really appreciated a second attempt at it and got to sort all the things I wasn't happy with first time.
I hope to see you again some time in the new year, but for now, have a wonderful festive season and continued success with all your amazing projects. Thanks so much, Carol".

My dream for the future would be to have a bigger studio than I have now. A room to teach and a room to work would be good. I would really like to work with more younger people, such as teenagers. Giving them experience of working with glass, maybe apprenticeships and eventually employing someone or two. I feel very strongly about how successive governments have squeezed the arts to the very edges of the curriculum and if I can give teenagers a bit more "creativeness ' or rather the opportunity for creativeness in their lives I would be happy.
I do already go into schools running workshops but it would be great to get students to my studio , so they are working in a real glass studio.

Over the last few months I have had more high profile commission work , such as the Duchesses Gates and the poppies at Woodhorn museum which is getting me more known. I hope this continues, enabling my business to grow so that I can share what I have to give. Its great also to be shortlisted for the "Win awards, best creative business" . Who knows what doors that will open. Will let you know how I get on on Friday 13th November.

Dreams and dilemas