Handm@de Winchester 2011, our third year!: Meet the Maker

Sorry this one is a bit late, but I hope the action shot will make up for it!

Let me introduce you to Kate Ward, better known as Turned Light, a lampworker and jewellery artist.

What got you into crafting?

I have always been interested in art and craft, and I did my degree in Craft at Portsmouth University in 1996. There I learned skills in silversmithing, metal casting, ceramics, kiln formed glass, printing and etching and more..

In May 2007 after several years of making jewellery with bought beads, and experiencing the frustrations of many jewellery artists with the quality and choice available of mass produced beads, I bought a starter kit from Tuffnell glass and with the help and support of an online glass forum, Frit Happens, got started in lampworking.

After a year of setting up in my tiny kitchen with my Hot head torch, I bought a Nortel minor and an oxygen generating machine, and set up a bright airy shed to house my workshop, so now I have my own studio in the garden with my torch and kiln set up ready to go, it is lovely to escape down there and get torching!

What is the best thing about doing lampworking and create jewellery from it?

The freedom to create what I want and then to use it how I want is fantastic. Also making the beads is amazing, the way that different types of hot glass works together, the ways that colours change, and adding extra things, like silver and gold leaf, make the possibilities of lampworking endless.

What Handm@de stuff do you have your eye on?

I am looking forward to seeing Julia Davey's gorgeous ceramics, I was eyeing up her lovely tiles on Folksy recently, so I was pleased to see she would be there at Winchester. Also looking forward to seeing Fizzology as I love all the beautiful, inviting soaps!