Michelle O'Donnell, glass sculptor
Next Wednesday, design students will be honoured in the Habitat/House & Home Student Design Awards. And, from Thursday until June 3rd, the shortlisted works go on display in the Habitat shop on St Stephen's Green, Dublin. Keep an eye out for the sculptural stand-alone lamp made from translucent porcelain, the roll-up beanbag-cum-bed, and the chair that folds up into a bench. Each winner will receive a glass plaque made by Michelle O'Donnell (right) of Glasshammer Studio in Co Offaly. O'Donnell is one of Ireland's most original glass sculptors, specialising in large-scale works and inventive use of colour. Glass, she says, is "so goddamned complicated. It's in the lap of the gods when you close the kiln lid. That's where the magic is, when mastery meets accident." One of O'Donnell's pieces is on display until Monday as part of the Inspirational Awakenings exhibition in the O'Kelly Gallery in Cork's Public Museum, and if you're off to Toronto anytime soon, she's currently exhibiting there too. www.glasshammer.ie.