Meet the Artist behind Glass and Splinters

Thank you for endeavouring to find out more about Glass and Splinters. If you are curious on how the name came about, I began working with glass in 1985 hence the 'glass' and my husband is a carpenter, therefore 'splinters'. It is such a catchy business name, I haven't wanted to change it!

My name is Lorraine Allan. I have worked in the glass industry in partnership with my husband, since 1985, 16 of those years spent building Leadlights. After many years of experience I began teaching leadlighting classes in my studio in Adelaide, South Australia for 6 years.

My love for glass has also lured me into the fusing and slumping of plates and making fused glass clocks. I also made copper foiled lampshades, jewellery boxes and many other items, which I sold through our studio, craft fairs and retail outlets.

I became interested in making lampwork glass beads in 1997 after doing a weekend workshop with Peter Minson in Victoria, Australia. This led me on to enrol in a silver jewellery course for 12 months which I incorporated my glass beads into the pieces I made. In 2001 I put all my other glass making aside to concentrate fully on lampworking beads. Watching the glass melting and flowing in an open flame, is the most relaxing work I have ever done with glass. I've continued working with metals on and off since 1997, but in 2008 began to do some research in anodising aluminium. It took me over 12 months and a 6 week course at the Jam Factory in Adelaide, to finally overcome all the problems I encountered whilst trying to successfully anodise. All the time and effort has now come to fruition and I am enjoying creating some unique funky pieces.

I have a very supportive family with 2 sons, Kane and Jake, and my husband Pete. Pete has now gone back to his carpentry trade and is a long time musician, a drummer. Music is my second love and I really enjoy supporting Pete and his bands, the old dancing shoes often come out!