'm a glass artist. My main technique is lampwork. This involves melting and forming glass in an open flame. I first discovered this technique almost 20 years ago. One try at the torch and I was terrified (the heat!) and hooked (the flame! the colours!) I first started lampworking as an addition to my jewellery-making. I wanted to make my own beads rather than just use commercially available ones.

Almost immediately I became obsessed and glass took over as my primary medium. While I started out mainly making beads, I've become increasingly interested in representational sculptural work. I derive most of my inspiration from the natural world. Marine invertebrates are a major theme. I often depict organisms whose flowing forms lend themselves to hot glass, such as octopus and jellyfish. I have recently started creating insects. As well as being technically challenging, these allow me to unleash my desire for bling, using encased silver leaf and sparkling dichroic glass to try to capture the irridescence and shine of beetle and butterfly wings.