Art of Glass

Craftswoman Dianne Cracknell visited The Leys to pass on her skills to students of Product Design.

Essex-based Dianne, who trades as “Dizzy Di”, has a glass-working studio at Wickford. She does not usually teach in schools, but she came in to the DT department to demonstrate the art of “lamp working”, whereby glass is heated up by a strong flame then worked to give colour mixes, texture and shape.

Lower Sixth students Becky Walker and Olly Speakman were given a masterclass in the technique, which dates back to ancient Egypt. They made beads as part of their A/S level coursework: Olly as part of a project on a sailing-related theme and Becky for a project inspired by a florist’s shop.

Dianne was full of praise for her pupils. “Becky and Olly are doing this for the first time, and they are doing very, very well,” she said.