The Okra Team     Okra glass is one of the longest established glass studios working in Britain today. Based in Stourbridge, West Midlands, which is regarded as the birth place of British glassmaking, glass artists Richard Golding, Karinna Sellars and Dean Hopkins continue the heritage, by producing inspiring objets d'art of the highest quality. By combining traditional glass making techniques with imagination, the Okra style is instantly recognisable and has taken many years to perfect. Working with the most demanding of creative materials, they unveil new possibilities in the rhythm and dance of glassmaking. 'Each piece tells a story that captures your imagination and curiosity, bringing a world of light and colour to your surroundings. Every time you look, you discover new details and the secrets held within.' One of the keys to their success is the development of their own recipes for clear and coloured glass, teamed with constant exploration of surface decoration. Working with the most demanding of creative materials, they have created a distinctive colour palette of rich tones and beautiful iridescent effects that are now the hallmark of Okra. Perhaps one of the most interesting things that the Okra team have in common is that that they all fell in love with this fascinating material quite by accident.   In 1972, Richard joined the Royal Navy, with dreams of seeing the world. Based in Plymouth and then Cornwall, he was trained as a highly skilled engineer, but after 5 years he began to realise that he was unhappy with naval life and left. One evening, after fruitless months of trying to find an engineering job he would enjoy, he sat discussing his predicament with his brother in law, who told Richard, 'You can do anything you want in this life, even be a glassmaker!' Intrigued and excited by this flippant remark, he applied for a place on a new 1 year glass course at the International Glass Centre, Brierley Hill, where he was taught by master glass maker Collin Gill. On graduating the course in 1979, Richard and his former partner, set up their first studio in Yorkshire - Okra Glass was born. In 1986 Dean, who planned to become a product designer, was accompanying a friend to an interview for the glass course at Stourbridge College, had been caught in a rain storm and so was led into the hot glass studio to dry off while he waited. Malcolm Andrews, a former master factory maker and tutor on the course at that time, gathered molten glass from the furnace and began to make, shaping the glass with only a pad of newspaper to protect his hands.. Dean was captivated and immediately insisted that he be given an interview there and then. After his degree, he went on to the International Glass Centre for 1 year, then to Lairn, Wales, where helped to build and manage a studio and first met Richard. Following time as the hot glass technician at Farham College of Art, he secured a position running a glass studio in Japan, where he remained for 3 years, refining his skills and designing products for the company. On returning to the UK and inspired by the beautiful sights and crafts he had seen in Japan, he set up his own business as a glass maker. Karinna had planned to become a veterinary surgeon, but following her A levels decided to take a year out doing something else she had a passion for - art. Having completed an art foundation course and discovered ceramics, she was offered a position at Manchester Metropolitan University, studying 3 dimensional design. Tackled with the decision of specialising in a subject area at the end of her second year, she was given the chance to try hot glass for the first time. 'From the moment I picked up an iron and took my first gather I was hooked. I don't know how to describe the feeling - it was like coming home, something clicked and it felt right'. On graduating, in 2003, Karinna also went the International Glass Centre, where she completed the 1 year glass techniques and technology course and was then awarded an internship at the historical Red House Glass Cone, Wordsley. Here she had the opportunity to perfect her skills, create a strong body of work and build up her first business as a self employed glass maker. Most importantly, it was during this time that Karinna met Dean and Richard, now known as the Okra team.   Over the years Okra Glass has been through many changes, but it still remains one of the most successful and recognised glass studios in Britain today. The creations of new designs by the dynamic alliance are eagerly awaited and every piece is specially hand made. A timeless record of Richard, Dean and Karinna's skills. This year will celebrate 30 years of Okra Glass, so now is the perfect time to join our 'Okra Glass Collectors Guild'. Launched in 1997, it continues to flourish and offers members invitations to demonstration days, the chance to view and purchase exclusive pieces as well as preview new designs. First hand feedback from our collectors is always of paramount importance and is highly treasured. For more information, visit our Collectors page.       back to top	More information:   Okra catalogue: catalogue is available to see more of our collections   Click here to contact us to request a hardcopy of the catalogue by post.   Videos:   Click here to view videos of work at Okra studios.