Lampwork bead artist Linda Newnham from Earthshine Beads
Q: Can you tell us a bit of the beginning of your career as a lampwork artist. I’ve read that you were a florist in your previous career. Was the transition difficult and why did you chose a different career?
Actually my last business was printing funny slogans onto babies and children's clothing which I operated from home and sold online. My lampwork just started as a hobby and I was fortunate enough to be able to sell the printing business last November so that I could concentrate on the glass and jewellery.
Q: Why did you choose the medium glass? Recently you have start working with metal which you paint by hand. Are you planning to explore other materials as well in the future, like polymer clay, or ceramic?
I'd liked the fact that I could make my own beads. I had a go at making ceramic beads first but whilst I liked the beads I found the process very time consuming. I've also had a go at polymer clay, I've seen some fantastic work but I have to admit I'm not very keen on the feel. Glass is very tactile and the possibilities for design are endless, however I
am always open to new techniques and am currently doing a fusing course and have an enameling workshop on Saturday.
Q: What inspires you in your work?
I get my inspiration all over the place but quite often it working with the glass that leads to new ideas, I might be making a bead and then an idea for developing it further pops into my head and I just have to try it.
Q: What does a typical day in the life of Linda Newnham looks like?
At the moment my day starts with checking my emails and orders whilst eating my breakfast. Then I usually head down to the allotment for a couple of hours. After lunch I usually clean the beads I have made the night before and if I am inspired
I might pop upstairs to my craft room and make some jewellery. Evenings are for torching as long as it is not too hot as I torch in the corner of my conservatory.