Sally Carver (RedHotSal) was born in July 1964 (Cancerian - emotional and sensitive with a tendancy to walk sideways) and didn't start off as an artist - far from it in fact. Sally says:

"I studied Physics at London University and my first career involved Optical Physics applications, which eventually led to a career in Holography, which is what I really wanted to do.

"I ended up working for Light Impressions, a Holography company in Leatherhead for many years. Holography had a good mix of science and art which appealed to the creative side of me."

In 2004 family reasons led to Sally, her husband Adam and daughter Emily relocating to her home town in Leicestershire in order to be closer to her widowed mother. "The Holography job had to go, but I'd already started making glass beads by this time - just as a hobby. I'm not sure what exactly possessed me but I just assumed I was going to make beads full time - for a living!"

"And so here we are four years later -  I'm still making beads for a living and sucessfully too. It's been a wonderful journey, but quite hard work. I'm really enjoying my new career."

 Sally had continued with her glass-orientated education in this time.

She has studied with:

Diana East, Loren Stump, Dora Schubert and Michi Suzuki, and was recently Teaching Assistant to Diana East, Julie-Anne Denton and Sarah Hornik.

Sally often teaches one-to-one tuition in lampwork bead making (novice to intermediate) from her studio in Hinckley and just lately with Diana East at Studio 19.

"Teaching seems to be something which I always end up doing - I taught Holography in China and now Beadmaking in Leicestershire. It's good fun - I love to see people achieve something new, something that they didn't think they were capable of when they first walk through the door.

"That's why I love beadmaking - it's such an immediate artform - which demands both spontaneity and patience. It's perfect for someone like me who can be completely anal over something one minute and then utterly slap dash the next minute. Even a large focal bead measuring over an inch in diameter can be finished in around an hour. I can't think of anything else where you can experience such an immediacy in art. Even painting, pottery, sculpture - they are wonderfully expressive artforms but still take time to realise your ideas and feelings.

"I suppose it's also similar to my personality - I can be very quiet and introverted - but I doubt anyone who has met me would describe me as that - especially on a teaching course. It's pretty difficult to actually get me to shut up (except when I blow glass!)

"Having spent most of my working life in Holography - or basically in the Security Print Industry I was working in a very male orientated environment. It's been a really pleasant experience with beadmaking which has a much higher mixture of female influence. Women seem to instantly "bond" with the concept of hot glass on an emotional level. It becomes an obsession, as any beadmaker will tell you. That's why teaching courses with other like minded people is great. We can spend all day talking about glass, beads, silver and jewellery without the reality of real life getting in the way!" 

What are Sally's Influences?

"Well, I think we are all influenced by the most unlikeliest people and sources. I'm a big admirer of Prof Stephen Hawkins for his ability to just get on with a brilliant career despite such a gargantuan disability like Motor Neuron Disease. Actually - most disabled people or people who have to battle serious illnesses get my vote for inspiration. I'm also a fan of Nick Park for doing something that he likes and believes in - you don't always get rewarded for following your own thing. I've been so lucky and priviliged just lately to study under some great glass teachers - all have been wonderful inspiration and help to me. "

Favourite Quote?

The profound one: "I want to know God's thoughts... the rest are details."