Norma Sales
Glass and Ceramics graduate runs own business
Mature student, Norma Sales, graduated in 2007 with a BA (Hons) Architectural Glass, Glass and Ceramics.
After trying out glass-blowing on a short course Norma was hooked! She applied to the University of Sunderland because of the good reputation for glass and the short journey time from her home in nearby Whitley Bay.
Norma said: "The facilities were fantastic and the support from the technicians and staff was excellent. I think having the National Glass Centre as a venue to show your final year degree show exhibition is a real bonus, I sold all the work I produced."
Norma now runs her own practice, Redhouse Glass, working on commissions and running workshops for all ages. Norma has even had the work she did with a local school displayed in The National Gallery in London.
When asked what has helped Norma the most in her career, she said: "Good contacts and a good degree, everyone knows Sunderland is good for glass."
Norma would advise new students not to be afraid to ask and to experiment. She said: "Don't worry about making mistakes, some of the best work produced quite often comes from `happy' mistakes and experimentation."
