Thanks people. You are all very warm and welcoming. On the personal note, I did only what any mother would do in my position, the best for her kids. They are so well now, one in the army and one a policeman, both still in NZ. There are many moms in the world in a far worse situation and that is what helps me.
Being able to find information about engraving was what I desperately needed for many years in Zimbabwe and all I had was our little quarterly journal from the Guild of Glass Engravers and a couple of books, videos and slides. I LOVE the fact I can help all the budding engravers stuck in remote corners of the world who now contact me almost on a daily basis, privately - aswell as in my roll as Overseas Correspondent for the Guild of Glass Engravers.
Engraved glass (I mean the serious "stuff") deserves much more recognition than it gets, there are some very talented engravers out there, some have recently died unfortunately, but their work makes mine look drab and commercial. (well I have to make a living with it and commercial makes up a big part of my work).
News of today is that a piece I submitted for the Glass Sellers Prize has made the Long List. Hold thumbs for the short list out end of next week.