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Autumn Winter Workshops as Requested!
Plenty of people have been asking me for some new workshop dates, so here they are!
I’ve tried to add a variety of dates and types. A few Introduction to Glass Fusing sessions, which are full days where you learn to cut and break glass. You have an opportunity to design and make items in window glass before moving on to working with colourful art glass and a few more techniques. Without blinding you with science, I will also tell you a little more about the properties of glass and how and why we can do so many wonderful things. All safety equipment and specialist tools are provided.
I’ve also added in a few taster sessions. On these, you are provided with glass blanks and you design and decorate your items with my vast array of coloured glass and accessories. No glass cutting is involved, just the freedom to get creative, so the day is shorter. These are ideal for those with a little less time on their hands, or who may be nervous of the prospect of cutting glass. People with hand strength or dexterity issues as well as younger participants can take part in these sessions too. It also serves as a great introduction to the world of glass fusing without committing to a full course. I would point out that the studio is a working space and access is slightly restrictive because we have three steps at the entrance.
Taster sessions include a family fun workshop during school half term, a couple of sessions dedicated especially to Christmas decorations. We might break out the mince pies and non-alcoholic mulled wine and play a few seasonal tunes! As well as a chance to make some gifts in time for the big day.
Select the correct price workshop from the top drop down menu, and the actual date from the second menu. When you add to basket, there’s a chance to add more than one place if you’re booking for friends or family.
Session timings – any evening sessions will start around 6pm, but willing to be flexible with people’s commitments. Daytime tasters generally start mid to late morning, but again these can be flexible if need be.
Get in touch HERE if you have any questions or problems!
NOTE: SATURDAY, 19TH JANUARY IS NOW FULL – PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF YOU WERE INTERESTED IN THAT DATE I MAY BE ABLE TO OFFER ANOTHER DATE CLOSE BY.
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I Love Seahorses!
… so I was very pleased when I was commissioned to make a seahorse design for someone.
I was contacted a few months back by someone who’d seen my stained glass seahorse panel which I made years ago as part of an evening class. He is an underwater photographer and diving journalist and asked if I could make one for him.
No, I said, sorry. What? I hear you cry, are you mad? Well, no, I am not (well I might be slightly) but I don’t have the tools and equipment to make stained glass – although I expect my cutting skills would be up to it (you’d think so after 11 years of fusing) – so I showed him some of my more current work, told him how much I loved seahorses and I’d happily make one with no pressure to buy, it was just something I’d wanted to do for a while.
So, here’s Mr Seahorse. I was very pleased with him.
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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
