karen swaffer was born in nz

she  lived in london for 19 years where she pursued a career as a make up artist working in the film and television industry

in 2003 she relocated to sydney with her family and became interested in glass after completing a course in 2006

in 2008 smoulder was launched and karen continues to supply a few select shops and galleries with her work

in 2010 she was fortunate to be invited on a trip to the outback with a group of artists and an indigenous guide, and this experience has informed her more recent work

karen's inspiration is the natural world