Since I discovered lampworking, it has been my main focus and I know it will be for some time to come. Previous to glass I have had experience with polymer clay, and many years working with wire and semi precious stones.

When I was a kid I lived in Ireland for a few years. I did not study Irish language at school. The Irish teacher would often send me and two American brothers who attended the same school, outside to pick up the rubbish and then burn it. We had a lot of fun fooling around while everyone else attended their lessons. It was also my job to light the fire at home after school each day and it was our sole source of heat for the entire house. I could spend hours poking at the fire and looking for strange images to present themselves to me.

So you can imagine how I might feel when it comes to the torch and the flame it produces. Lampworking brings me home to the great associations I have with fire. It brings me great pleasure, it is fun and always full of surprises and challenges.

My other activities include hairdressing, studying classical East Indian percussion and anything new that comes my way.

I hope you enjoy what you see in these pages and stop by frequently to see what else I am up to and what new ideas in glass I am exploring.

Damian Finegan