Shiny Things by Roxanne

Roxanne Ward, a retired nurse and researcher, has always explored her creative side. In 2009 she began designing and fabricating jewellery while experimenting with techniques and combinations of materials and colours. During her trip to Murano (Venice, Italy) in 2010, she was inspired by the glass artists’ masterpieces and was intrigued about the process involved in glass beadmaking.

In 2014, Roxanne’s enduring curiosity about this ancient art brought her to the Glass Shoppe Studio where she took an Introduction to Lampworking class and continued to develop her skills. Roxanne then attended many classes and workshops to expand and perfect her skills.

Roxanne works out of her studio in rural Ottawa, as well as space within Loretta Studios and Gallery. Roxanne now teaches Introduction to Glass Blowing (Soft Glass) at that studio. She and her husband Jeff engage in outdoor activities year-round. While immersed in nature, Roxanne gathers inspiration, and this informs her designs. She loves to experiment with glass and is constantly looking to learn and challenge herself with different techniques; recently this has led her to work with Borosilicate glass and create glass chains as well as more sculptural work.

“The beauty of lampworking is that it is a journey, not a destination.”