Will Shakspeare, Glassmaker.

Hot glass is a dynamic material, in which I have been absorbed for twenty years. I design and make all my own glass, and enjoy the individuality of each piece. There is a continual process of improvement in both making and designing, although these aspects can be isolated from each other. I find the process inseparable, intuitive and automatic. Over the years I continue to find new aspects and avenues to explore. 

But really I am just lucky, I have managed to live my life doing what I enjoy. I have supported my family from my glass – a great feeling.

People buy my glass because it gives them, or the person that they are giving it too, a little bit of happiness – it improves their life in a small way. Lets face it only a warped slice of society buys somebody something to upset them.

Now I know in the great big scheme of things that a bit of glass is not going to change the world or win you the Nobel Peace Prize, but you know it ain't so bad if you are making things that people buy because they want to and enjoy. In fact in my lighter moments I think that it could almost be something to be proud of.

And although the arty bit obviously underpins all my work and I suppose that beneath this hoary old exterior there must be a few sensitive sinews, it does boil down to a simple - do you like it or love it? Hopefully you do and no matter what artistic claptrap I come out with, you will make up your own mind. Well, hopefully .

All I do is make glass [ at this point I can hear my wife shouting at me saying 'isn't that enough' ] and once I have made it, that's it, onto the next one to try and make it better. You as a potential customer are part of the deal. I have made things in the past, lots of them, that I have thought were fantastic – fame and fortune beating a path to my door - but they didn't sell. After I have stopped ranting and bemoaning Joe P's lack of taste I can usually admit quietly, and only into my nearly empty rather large whisky tumbler, that maybe, and only maybe,  they were an anachronism and that, well ok, they weren't that good. Feet on the ground and head firmly stuck in the clouds seems to be a fairly good way forwards -  oh and one hand firmly clasped round the crown jewels – just for security you understand.