artists and celebrate its first year in business.

The public were invited to flame-working displays and an introduction to the art of glass blowing through live demonstrations.

Dockyard Glassworks co-owner and manager Wendy Avery said she hoped the demonstrations would spark an interest in glass art.

The demonstrations are performed throughout the week in a safe environment as the materials used are lead free.

"When people first walk in the studio they are speechless,'' said Ms Avery.

She said the vibrant colours used in the designs were the main attraction for customers.

"It has been an extraordinary year in colour compared to the United States East Coast where art galleries mostly display clear glass, so we believe we make items that nobody else does,'' said Ms Avery.

The studio produces a diverse range of products such as angel fish, dolphins, elephants, snails, vases, sailboats, bowls and paperweights at affordable prices.

People can walk in the studio and purchase glass art originals "off the iron''.

Ms Avery said: "We are able to fulfil an order appearing in travel agents' offices all over Europe, the United States and Canada.'' Fluted dishes, which are personally signed by the artists who make them, are popular as wedding gifts and churches often make requests for angels.

Each item is 100 percent Bermudian handmade.

Bermudian Arthur Trott, who has worked in the glass blowing industry for the past ten years, attributed the success of the studio to the talented skills of the artists who worked for it.

"We are given time to explore personal work and more opportunity to experiment with colours and create our own designs. There is not much pressure on us to produce high volumes but emphasis is placed on high quality,'' said Mr. Trott.

He said he also believed that the availability of live demonstrations made a difference.

"You can go to Trimingham's and find and buy hand blown glass, but what works is if people see you making it as people like to buy stuff they have seen made,'' said Mr. Trott.

Peter Zimmerman, who started his glass blowing career in 1991 in Washington state in the US, said "the studio has attracted the right talent at the right time and the management know what the market can handle''.

Dockyard Glassworks co-owner Tony Johns has blown glass for 17 years in his native Britain prior to founding the studio last year with Ms Avery.

The other key member of the studio is Axel Bubenzer, a Bermudian artist who was introduced to flame-working by Mr. Johns in 1992.

Mr. Bubenzer soon developed his own unique style and has been successful in creating a range of flame-worked glass that reflects the nature and surroundings unique to Bermuda such as tree frogs -- which are the studio's top seller this year.

Ms Avery has encouraged the development of the artists' designs. They receive a 30 percent production commission for each piece of glass made and the studio is run as an artists' cooperative where talent is able to flourish unrestricted.

Eventually Ms Avery said she would like to have a school to train people in the art of glass blowing.

Local school children visit the studio continually and frequently ask questions about glass making.

"Their fascination is peeked by the visual nature of the work being done with the glass and the stories behind them,'' said Ms Avery.

Glass-ic exhibition: Colourful creations abound at Dockyard Glassworks