I was born in Douglas in the Isle of Man. My parents were in the tourism industry and we owned and ran a hotel. From a young age I had an aptitude for art, and when I left school, I attended the Isle of Man College to take my A levels and GNVQ’s in 3d design, Fine art and photography.

Although I was expected to take over the family business I received excellent grades from College and chose to go to University. Whilst studying Ceramics and Glass. I quickly realised that my path lay within the field of Glass. I changed direction and carried on with my degree but in glass, philosophy and printmaking.

In 1999, I attended a summer school in Seattle called Pilchuck, which changed the course of my life! My instructor was Emilio Santini and when the three and a half week course was over, he offered me an apprenticeship. Upon finishing University with an Honours Degree in Glass and Philosophy, I travelled to the States to work for Emilio for six months. After the apprenticeship, I set up my studio and continued to make work for shows and galleries.

Since then I have completed a year long residency at the Sayle Gallery in the Isle of Man, moved into an Artists Collective for 4 years and in May 2009, I relocated to Zurich, Switzerland to pursue my professional career in Glass.

As well as making glass full time, I also teach non-accredited courses in flameworking and sandcasting, and this takes me all over the world for at least four months of each year.