Dawn Turner Designs

Finally, lockdown is slowing down.  Have you been out to a cafe, pub or restaurant yet?  It’s all been a bit strange; but I think we’re all ready to get back out there, in one way or another.

A creative activity is a great way to relax and forget about the worries and pressure of the last few months. Lose yourself in the moment during a glass taster session.  Be absorbed while you get to make something beautiful for your home, or to give as a gift.  Taster sessions are easy going; no need to worry about learning to cut glass – just enjoy experimenting with colour and light.

What Will The Studio Be Doing?

This next week or two, I will be working hard at the studio to get it all clean and tidied and set up so we can receive visitors and students again.  I may, or may not have bought a transit van load of hand-sanitiser and paper towels.  We’ve got a new handwashing heater for the ‘smallest’ room, and I will be setting up two cleaning stations.  One for when people first arrive and for regular hand-washing in the bathroom just off the communal area.

I will space classes out so I have time to clean down before and after. I will be limiting to half capacity, and only offering taster sessions, so we’re not cooped up all day.  Only people within their own social groups – no mixed classes for the time being.

It’s not practical to clean down all the individual small pieces of glass. I am not sure if cleaner residue will affect the finish anyway, but I have a steam cleaner.  If steam sterilising is good enough for operating theatres, it will do me!  So another measure in place will be me steaming down all the glass as well.

When Will We Start Back?

Still working on the finer details, but we’re looking at beginning of August onwards, I won’t be offering any specific dates as all classes will be treated as private bookings.  You get to choose your day and time, all very flexible.  Are you itching to come along but aren’t 100% sure of a date that you and your friends/ family can do?  Why not use the class voucher option?  That way, you’re not going to feel rushed to book your session.

How Do I Book?

Voucher details can all be found by CLICKING HERE, or get in touch with me directly on the CONTACT ME page.

With all this lockdown malarky going on, all of the lovely galleries and stores are cannot open; we cannot do our events and fairs right now. I am not able to run classes either.

So what am I doing with my time right now?

Well, I have spent a bit of time in the studio with my trusty Canon dSLR, as well as my phone, taking lots of photos.  I have been editing, and uploading them to my new online store – you can find it here DAWN TURNER DESIGNS STORE.

You will find a mixture of new products, designs samples and old favourites.

Don’t forget, you can also find a list of stockists by CLICKING HERE, along with gift voucher links at the bottom of that page, or WORKSHOP GIFT VOUCHERS here.

I’ve always done gift certificates for workshops, now you can buy gift vouchers for lots more lovely things!

These can be used in many ways.  Not sure what the recipient would like?  A gift voucher is great for that!  Know they love a piece of glass art, but you cannot afford buy it outright for them?  Send them a gift voucher, they can use it towards part payment.

Maybe you know they’d like to do a workshop, but not sure if they want to come for a full day or taster?  These vouchers can be redeemed, part or full, against classes too.

My shop is looking a little sparse at the moment, but over the next week or two, I will be filling it up.  I will be posting images on the website and social media and will be using the Etsy Platform to list items, so the person you are gifting it to will need to take a look there and then get in touch with me to use their voucher.  Or they can come to the studio in Ilkeston, by appointment only.

I normally email them directly to the buyer to print at home, but I can email direct to the giftee or print and post if you prefer (first class standard post).

You don’t need to have a Paypal account, just check out as guest if you wish to pay on card.  You can buy multiples of any of the gift vouchers to make up the amount you wish – just adjust the quantities during checkout.

Thank you for supporting small business

Recent Government guidelines regarding Corona Virus are that we should now be practicing social distancing.  In response to this, I have decided to withdraw all mixed group workhops from availability until the further notice.

If you already have something booked, please check your email inbox.  You should have received a message from me or get one very soon.

Until Government guidelines enforce otherwise, I will still be taking bookings for private classes – whether that be groups, Just For Two, or One-To-One, but I will only be booking in groups of friends or family, so that you know each other and are not with strangers who’s health you might not be familiar with.  My workshop is within Shed 2 Studios which is NOT a gallery or retail space open to the public.  Our only visitors are delivery drivers which have their own protocols in place,  my students or visitors by appointment.

Although I do share the building with other makers, our spaces are large, and if anybody else IS in, their spaces are metres away from where we would be working.  Regular cleaning with appropriate disinfectants will be in place, and hand washing facilities are always available, along with any other recommended safety measures.

It also means we choose a mutually convenient time and date  If you do have to postpone due to a change in circumstances, last minute health worries or we have enforced lockdown, your workshop would be re-booked.  You would not be missing out on it running.

If you’d prefer not to book a class whilst the advice is changable and uncertain, don’t forget that I offer GIFT VOUCHERS for all types of workshops and sessions.  These have a one year expiry date on them, and if the situation becomes prolonged, I will look at extending these.  Likewise, if you already have a voucher and are worried that it may expire before you are able to use it, please get in touch.  I don’t want anybody to miss out.

Thank you for supporting small businesses and bearing with us all in what may be difficult times ahead – it really is appreciated.