Never mind the Hard to Find Gallery! I need to think about my ‘hard to find’ new posts!  No, there haven’t been any for quite a while.

I always have a fairly quite time early in the new year, but I could be using that time for a catch up – to tell you what I’ve been up to all these months (aside from buying new kilns of course)

So, my good friend Jackie, of Treehuggery, has just opened the small, but perfectly formed “Hard to Find Gallery” at her studio.  It will display a selection of artwork and creations, including some of my fused glass work.

She’s already written a blog post focusing on my work, and you already know about me.  Instead I will point you in the direction of this week’s featured artist, the lovely Karina Goodman who I met through Jackie a couple of years ago.

I am a proud owner of two of Karina’s artworks.  One was a gift for an ahem, special birthday, and another limited edition print.  I would happily adorn all my walls with Karina’s moody landscapes.

Check out the Hard to Find Gallery.  And don’t forget to browse the Treehuggery collection of quirky artworks with stories to tell.

Quite a few people have been asking me for workshops this autumn and winter, but the studio having a makeover, as well as a shiny new kiln to fire all my lovely students work in (and occasionally, some of mine!) – so with that, and other busy times in my world, I’ve been off the radar a little bit.

Unfortunately, the ‘re-model’ (that sounds a bit posh) hasn’t gone according to plan, and I am still waiting for some of my bespoke furniture units, so I don’t feel it’s suitable for a full fusing class just yet.

However, as a last minute dash I am doing some quick taster workshops next Sunday, 17th December, where you can make either a couple of decorations or sun-catcher – which you might want for yourself, or to give as a unique gift.

I’ll be doing two sessions which will both last for a couple of hours – 10.30am and 1.30pm start.  There might be mince pies and mulled wine (non-alcoholic – we are working with glass after all!) and if you haven’t heard enough of them in the shops already, we’ll put on some seasonal sounds.  We will be toasty warm, as I will have to new wood-burning heater going too (it’s a bit loud sometimes, earplugs optional!)

For this class, there won’t be any glass cutting – you will have clear glass blanks to work with, and can get your hands on my vast assortment of accessory glass to decorate them with.  Please be aware you will be working with (what I call) raw edge glass – it’s been cut, but not rounded off.  The class IS suitable for younger people, but any children must work alongside a responsible adult whilst they’re making.

The cost of the class is £10 and you can make three decorations or a sun-catcher.  There will be an opportunity to make more pieces during the session for a small additional charge.

The pieces will go in the kiln during the sessions, which will be fired up at the end of the day, so everything should be ready for collection late on Monday onward.

As it’s so last minute, I won’t be putting this as an option to buy via the website, so if you want to book on, please contact me via the contact form or you can call or text me on 07971 423335.

Here’s my new kiln (still needing a name!) and some other students work ready to fire

I’ve not written a new post in ages.  I’ve been kinda busy.

As well as the IFG at Stourbridge, which was most excellent (and cool to see my work exhibited in two locations), I spent most of the six weeks school holidays running Getting Creative Kids workshops – I will post a few images of some of the fun things we did another day.

But I’ve run a lot of fusing classes recently, both in the studio, and ‘out on location’ at various venues.  The studio is now having a ‘makeover’ – quite a bit of re-organisation both to make a better teaching space, but also to make way for my new kiln – so I can run even MORE classes!

So, ever wondered what sort of work people during a class?  Here’s some examples of recent work made by students, fired by me.   If these get your creative juices flowing and wanting to give it a go yourself, keep an eye on the blog, or join my mailing list – as soon as the kiln is installed and the space tidied, it will be all systems go for some more workshops.

Meanwhile, eye candy!

Every two years, I get ridiculously excited about going to Stourbridge.  Not that there’s anything at all wrong with the West Midlands, but I look forward to this weekend for WELL over a year .  It does seem a bit silly!  But it only happens every two years, so I have to wait such a long time between each one.  It’s the International Festival of Glass, happening over the bank holiday weekend. It is four glorious days of glass, more glass and glass related things!  Spread over several locations up and down the main road in Stourbridge, there are lots of things to see and do.  Centre stage is the Glass Bienale, with internationally renowned artists showing some amazing works of glass art.  But there are lots of other smaller exhibitions, open studios, performances, and there are always yummy cakes!

This year, I am exhibiting as part of the Festival in two locations.  For the last three events, I’ve taken part in the Contemporary Glass Society exhibition – a collection of small, but perfectly formed pieces of glass from members.  They are all for sale, all with a theme.  This year, we celebrate 20th anniversary of the CGS. This is my piece for that show.

Fizz Bang Wheee!

I am also exhibiting at the Lace Guild.  They are also located in Stourbridge (busy town!).  They are open as part of the Festival of Glass with a an exhibition titled Through the Looking Glass.  Below is one of my submission pieces.  The show is a mixture of contemporary lace, traditional pieces and lace inspired glass art.  I’ve not seen how they have curated it, but I am really looking forward to how it’s all been put together.  Here’s one of the pieces I’ve sent to them.

Through the Looking GlassIf you get chance to go over to Stourbridge this weekend, it’s well worth a visit – maybe see you there!