My name is Zoe Albright and I set up Firestix as a business ten years ago.

I have worked with glass since 2007 and taken part in the Bucks Art Weeks event for the last 7 years. I work from my studio at home in Buckinghamshire where I have two kilns to fire my glass. My inspiration often comes from my photography of landscapes, the sea and flowers, particularly using elements of colour, shapes. I often look at landscapes or objects and think how I can make them in glass. I love the depth of colour and light you can get with glass and like pieces with organic shapes and texture and I constantly experiment to achieve the range of effects and looks I want.

I use a variety of materials and techniques, usually starting with a sheet of glass which I cut to shape. Depending on the effect I want to achieve I add crushed glass or frit, paint with powders and enamels or just fire to fuse the glass pieces together. I may then ‘slump’ the piece into a ceramic mould or drape over a stainless steel former to shape it to perhaps make a dish or nightlight wave. Pieces are fired for a minimum of 12 hours each time to a temperature of up to 850ºC. Some pieces are fired 4 or 5 times.