-
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!
-
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
-
Upcoming Events
There are two events coming up, quite soon!
This Sunday, I will be at the Brinsley Winter Art and Flower Festival – a small, but perfectly formed event, surprisingly enough being held in Brinsley! If you don’t know, it’s a village close to Eastwood, the historic home of D H Lawrence.
The event is being hosted at The Moor Cottages, 34 & 36 Moor Road, Brinsley, NG16 5AZ and I was pleased and honoured to be invited to take part.
Brinsley WAFF Facebook Event Page
Two weeks after that, it’s our annual Christmas Shopping Event at Shed 2 Studios. Come along November 20th/21st; Friday 3pm-8pm & Saturday 11am-4pm for a warm welcome, a heated mulled wine and a hot wood burner!
-
Time to Tidy!
It’s that time of year, that means I have to sort out my space – yes, it’s Shed 2 Studios Christmas Open Event.
We will have to wood burner loaded up and a-roaring, we might have a few biscuits to nibble, and of course, our kettle is always on. What this means in reality is for a few days beforehand, I spend ages cleaning and tidying , trying to sort my space ready for display!
I am excited for my future, as I am growing my space – my studio share partner Nicola Lidstone, is moving on, and so I am taking the whole space. This will mean I will be able to offer larger group workshops, and because of the changes, and I can also look at offering different kinds of workshops, not just glass fusing.
Whilst that is great for me, and the future of my business, I am very sad to see Nic go – we’ve been friends for a long while now, having met whilst doing our degree! Not only is Nic leaving, but so is another friend, and mentor, Rachel Carter. Rachel has been so supportive during my time at Shed 2 Studios, helping me in all sorts of ways, but I do wish her the best of look as she moves on to the next chapter in her career with her new workshop at the Harley Gallery and Studios, Worksop – it’s a fabulous place to visit and I know she will do really well but I will miss her!
Adam Leighton is also leaving us, although because he will remain at the University of Derby, I expect I will be remaining in contact with him as I bug them for use of some of their equipment!
Hope you can join us for the Christmas Open Event – as always, there will be new pieces on show from some of the work I have developed this year, some new Christmas decorations just because I have a new toy, and some sale items as I wish to clear out some of my work to make way for the new!
We’re open Friday 29th November (2pm to 8pm) and Saturday 30th November (10am to 4pm)
