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Forthcoming Events
Whoops, where does the time go? I should have been posting this ages ago, but I’ve been kinda busy getting ready for the said forthcoming events, as well as playing with the new laser cutter at the studio. The latter has not been as successful as I’d hoped, why does technology fail you when you need it most? Perhaps I should have made things a little sooner..
Anyways, busy weekend for me.
Saturday, I am at Southwell Methodist Church for “Handmade With Love” – a collection of around forty hand-picked, hand-made quality gift and food stands. Free to enter, it’s on 9.30 to 4.30, so an early start for me!
Sunday, I am at Deborah Williams Hair Dressing Salon in Stapleford, as they get ready to gear up for Christmas. A small selection of food and gift stands, come along for a warm welcome, and join us for a glass of Prosecco or a beer, and some very special offers.
Hopefully you’ll be able to make on or other of the events, or both! Meanwhile, here’s a sample below of this year’s new Christmas design, first time out this weekend and a new technique for me. I’ve made a range of colours of these, and hope to be able to also offer personalised Christmas decorations – what a fantastic gift idea!
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New Workshop Dates – Get Booking!
Finally, I’ve managed to arrange some dates for forthcoming workshops.
If there’s a workshop you’d like to do, but cannot do the planned sessions, please get in touch, as there might be a few of you wanting an alternative date – so long as we can get the numbers, and I am available, I am happy to work with you on this.
I’ve tried to plan in a mix of dates, my new taster sessions are proving really popular, but I’ve had a lot of requests for the full fusing days too. Of course, we cannot ignore a forthcoming in December, so with that in mind, I’ve also planned in a Christmas decoration session. And if you’re struggling to find a unique present, and feel like you’re running out of time, there is the DON’T PANIC session in December, where there’s just enough time to make something special. Details below.
Introduction to Glass Fusing (SORRY, SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER IS NOW FULLY BOOKED) – during a glass fusing day, I will introduce you to the world of fused glass. We get stuck in early with learning how to cut glass during the first part of the morning, practicing your skills with plain window glass – many students like to make a something like a wall hanging or panel from the shapes they’ve cut. Once everybody is comfortable with this, we move on to using coloured art glass, and I will show you a variety of methods for creating your own unique pieces by using layering techniques, inclusions, frit and more. All materials, tools and equipment are provided, including access to Dawn’s vast array of glass! You’ll get the chance to make a some small pieces, along with perhaps a small window hanging, free-standing panel or coaster or two. The day lasts around six hours or so, and does require an element of hand-strength and dexterity for the cutting. Suitable for all adults, and possibly mid-teenagers by arrangement. Work to be fired after the day, ready to be collected at a later date.
Half Term Fun – a recent addition to my range of sessions, during this short workshop, you will get a chance to make a sun-catcher/colour stick or postcard sized wall hanging. No glass cutting required, all items will be ready cut, but you choose your designs, and will decorate your blank with a variety of coloured glass pieces. Suitable for a much wider age range, or people with hand strength/dexterity issues. Why not bring along your young ones and make something together? Charge is per item, not per person, although adults must stay and help/supervise. The session allows around two hours, but many people make something in a shorter time, depending on complexity of design, or if they’ve made their mind up! Work will be fired after the session to be collected at a later date.
Make Your Own Christmas Decorations (SORRY NOW SOLD OUT) – similar to the glass fusing day, you will start off my learning to cut glass – but we will restrict to cutting simple shapes and straight lines, so should be able to move on to the good stuff quicker. As in the introduction to glass fusing day, I will then explain and demonstrate a variety of techniques for you to use on your own designs. The workshop will last around four hours, and provides enough material and kiln space to make 8 or 9 decorations each. I will make sure the work goes into the kiln quickly so you will get it back in good time to hang on your tree or give as a gift.
Don’t Panic! If you’re anything like me, you sometimes find it hard to find the right present, and all of a sudden, you’ve left it rather late to shop for a unique gift! Why not make your own? There can’t be anything more special and thoughtful than something you have made yourself. I’ve planned this in for an a weekday early evening, the session is planned for up to two hours, although many people will make their item quicker than this. Similar to the half term fun, you won’t need to learn to cut glass, only clean it, design it and decorate it using my vast array of colours to make a sun-catcher or wall panel from a pre-cut glass blank. Work will go into the kiln straight after the session so it will be ready in plenty of time to go under the tree.
Samples of work make in previous sessions
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Open studios, workshops & brand new festival!
Hmm, so now I know why I should post more often – so I don’t have to remember several things at once! Now I’ve got open studios to plan for, fit in a workshop and get ready for a Sunday event, all in the same weekend.
I couple of weeks ago, I trialled a new workshop with a lovely lady, Michaela, and her family. I met Kayla a few weeks before when she and her friend came along to a glass fusing day, and when collecting the work, we talked about the different types of sessions I was planning. One of which is a short class where students wouldn’t have to learn to cut glass, they’d be assembling from pre-cut pieces, so Kayla offered to be a guinea pig for me!
She and her daughters made some fabulous pieces on this three hour workshop – my rubbish photographs below don’t do the work justice – and it went down very well, so there will be more soon. These shorter sessions should appeal on many levels – for those with less time, or those who are hesitant or feel really nervous about cutting glass; for younger people, or those with hand strength issues. It’s a more cost effective way of learning about some key glass fusing techniques before committing to a full day – you will have more understanding of what you could achieve.
I’ll be publishing more dates soon, but meanwhile, on Saturday 17th, I’m taking part in the Shed 2 Studios September Social, which is part of a wider event in Erewash, Creative 10 Celebrations. Come along for cake, a cuppa a chat and of course, a nosy round. We’re open from 11am to 5pm but before that, I am doing an Early Bird Workshop – Glass Fusing Taster Session, only £15 – make your own sun-catcher/colour stick. No glass cutting required, all items will be ready cut, but you choose your designs. It runs from 9am to 11am, then you’re welcome to stay and look around the Open Studios afterwards.
Booking is essential, which you can do here (you don’t need a Paypal account, you can pay with a debit or credit card as well). If you need any more info, get in touch on the contact page.
And finally, as if a workshop and an open studio isn’t enough, on the Sunday 18th September, I am taking part in the first ever Duffield Arts Festival – I’ll be displaying some of my glasswork, along side about 15 other artists and makers in Ecclesbourne School. This is one of many venues with lots going on over the weekend, from craft shows to workshops, art, live music, food and of course, a scarecrow trail!
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An up to date list of stockists of my work
I’ve been really busy with workshops, both fusing and in the community, I will post some photos soon, along with some new class dates. I’ve also got my work in some more galleries, so there’s a couple of stockists now added to the list of places you can see some of my pieces.
Many galleries are owned by artists/makers themselves, and I find they are all supportive, and helpful not only to customers to find the perfect gift or piece of art, but to the artists, designers and makers that supply work. It’s in the best interests of the galleries and those who stock them to work together and promote each other.
Of those galleries that stock my work throughout the year, two are members of the Good Galleries Guide, along with a third who stocks my Christmas range. The Good Galleries Guide is a group of seven East Midlands indepedant galleries who are working together to promote good practices and to promote British craftsmanship. Along with those galleries not in the East Midlands, each one is unique and special, and I am pleased to be working with them all.
Itch Gallery, Rutland – run by Jenny Creasey, an artist/maker herself, Jenny has grown the gallery since taking over, having to move to new premises last year.
Emporium Gallery, Lichfield – Amanda & Janette run this elegant gallery on Bird St in the heart of the city, and a couple of minutes walk from the unusual, three-spired cathedral.
Studio 61 at Holloway, between Crich & Cromford, on the edge of the Peak District has beautiful views over the Derbyshire countryside – pop in for a cuppa and meet Karina, who will most likely be painting, kept company by the gallery dog, Bruno.
Gallery 23 at Staleybridge. Run by partners Christine and Peter who themselves are an artist and photographer, this gallery specialises in original fine art, photography and ceramics – they offer expert advice, bespoke framing and weekly art classes.
During the Christmas season, you will find a range of my Christmas decorations at The Gallery at Sutton Bonnington. Now, I sens a theme…. small but perfectly formed, this delightful little gallery does great coffee – and cake! Out in the garden, in summer, check out the model railway – they say it’s for the children, but I think it’s secretly for Martin, the owner….
