How has your process changed and evolved over the years?

I've become far more confident with cutting the glass. I was terrified I was going to slice my finger off when I first started. But I still get cuts. It's just part of the process. I think it's evolved because I've become far more aware of getting texture into an image. It just adds a whole new dimension, particularly with the way the light plays across the texture.

So even if you're looking at a piece of work side-on and you can't actually see what the image is, you just get these beautiful textures and lights which I think make it more interesting. So, yes, my hand-cutting skills have really come along. It's just practice. Lots of failures, but you get there. And there's nothing wasted.

I keep every scrap of glass because that little shape, at some stage, will pop in and be the perfect completed image. So, yeah, I just think confidence and just looking at something and seeing its potential, like the tabletop over there. You know, it was a weekend sort of purchase and it's created something beautiful.

Did you always consider yourself a crafty individual?

Not really. I mean, I can't sew. I can't paint. I like drawing. I was a primary school teacher in my past life, and I always worked with prep. So, I needed to be creative, you know, with storytelling and just drawing up a quick image to illustrate something.

I can do that. I guess, in a way, I've always had a bit of a creative streak, but I've never really had the time to fully utilise it.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I find that I'm inspired by nature and light. Even though I use a lot of colour, I like natural colours and products, and I've started to use them more. I'm using shells and wood and incorporating different things within my pieces.

I think lots of different things inspire me. I don't think there's anything in particular. I'll look at something and think that's got potential. Oh, I like that. I like the way the fish are swimming in that picture—I might see if I can capture that and put it in a piece of work for myself. So, yes, nothing in particular, but I like natural things. I like sunlight and just trying to capture those sorts of things.

Is there anything about being on Philip Island that inspires the elements in your work?

I don't produce any works in Melbourne, but it's just, I don't know, it's just the island vibe, I guess.

It's relaxing, it's quiet, and there's lots of different scenery within a very short walking distance or short drive, but I just find it calming and conducive to sort of pottering around and creating things.

What is the most satisfying thing to you about mosaicing?

Probably the most satisfying thing is once you've spent a lot of time creating a piece, you can look at it and think, well, I'm really happy with that aspect of this work, but this is an area where I can improve or perhaps try something different next time. If you're not happy with the way something works, it's a stepping stone towards your next piece. You think, what can you do next?

And having created something that gives me pleasure to look at, or that I can give to somebody and they're happy to receive it, is incredibly rewarding.

Would you recommend mosaicing to others, and why?

I'd certainly recommend mosaicing to anybody who has time on their hands and is looking for a creative outlet. Just try it. Seriously, I was pretty hesitant at first. But see if it works for you. It's not for everybody because you do need time and patience. You can't make something in five minutes; you sort of plod along at it. So, even if you don't have a large amount of time to dedicate to it, if you can allot some time as a downtime activity, it's worthwhile and you've got something nice at the end of it.

What are your thoughts on The Mosaic Store?

I have purchased things from The Mosaic Store. I bought some beautiful squares of coloured iridescent glass and some of their embellishments, like little ceramic discs and small glass tiles. They were fantastic to deal with, with good communication.

One of the products I ordered they didn't have in stock, but they got back to me straight away. They posted it well-packaged and ready to go after a short period of time. So, yes, it's good because they have lots of really interesting things.