Two ladies came to spend the morning in my studio making coasters. They had a great time (their words) and came back the next day to open the kiln and see their handiwork. There were several “wow’s” and a reluctance for me to wrap them up so that they could take them away but that’s a sure sign that they enjoyed themselves. Here are some photos of their handiwork.

 

 

These two ladies found out about my workshops from coming to a craft fair at which I had a table.  It turns out that one of the ladies is in the same profession as I am and our paths crossed…over 30 years ago! A small world indeed.

I have another workshop booked for next week so we’ll see what designs they come up with! It won’t be coasters, that’s for sure.

If you would like to have a taster glass or mosaic workshop then do drop me an email: cosycreativecrafts@hotmail.com. The possibilities are as broad as your imagination will take you.

Happy 2018.

Production of my 2018 range of glass pieces has started. I will have some new ideas as well as more of some well loved pieces. As you can see from the above pictures I’ve been making hearts ready for Valentines Day. These are made using the copperfoil technique and haven’t been anywhere near my kiln. There are two different designs and no two are ever the same. Some of the glass is flat but a lot of it is textured or streaky which makes each heart very beautiful.

These hearts measure 15cm x 15cm and cost £8.00 + p&p. If you would like one please email me at cosycreativecrafts@hotmail.com and we’ll organise that for you.

I was very lucky at Christmas as I was given a beginner’s lampworking kit. I’ve started to make some beads but, as it has been said that one needs to make several hundred before one gets good at it it is early days! I’ve made 14 so far so there’s a long way to go. I will share my progress soon just for fun.

 

 

 

 

I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and a healthy one too.

My husband and I have both been ill – only with a nasty cold – over the holiday period, boo hiss! At least we weren’t both at our worst at the same time. However, we’ll be soon back to normal and looking forward to whatever 2018 will bring us.

I was very fortunate to have a fantastic Christmas present – a beginners bead making kit, This includes a torch burner, propane and oxygen supplies and lots of glass and tools. My plan is practice hard making beads over the next few months and ultimately to make glass animals. We’ll see how my plan goes. I hope to teach the technique too but probably in 2019.

In the meantime I will be creating lots of lovely glass pieces in my kiln and am always working on new ideas. I also have several workshops booked and some vouchers for others were given as Christmas presents so there will be lots of people to meet over the next year. I am opening my studio for Oxfordshire Art Weeks in May and will be going to lots of craft fairs in many different venues over the year.

I’ll keep you up to date with my creations and progress with my torch work (lampwork).

Happy 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve finished my last craft fair of the season but still got a few Christmas decorations left if you fancy any. They are £4.95 plus postage.

The forecast for the UK for tomorrow is snow! It’s such a rarity I think we’re all looking forward to it. My husband and I will be spending the day writing Christmas cards and eating the mince pies and treacle tarts I made today.

I will be starting to make pieces for my 2018 collection after Christmas and also have a few folk booked into workshops to have a go themselves so the diary is filling up. If you’d like to come to one of my workshops do get in touch. Fusing glass is a half day at £35, mosaic stepping stones or copper foil technique is a full day at £60. Just drop me an email and we can discuss the possibilities.

cosycreativecrafts@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

Next Saturday is my last Craft Fair for 2017 so the final chance to buy something for Christmas. I am also closing my commission book after the weekend as I cannot guarantee getting a piece completed and delivered before Christmas. So….roll up, roll up to Towcester Town Hall, 9.30am – 4pm and see what goodies I have.

             

The music is Auld Lang Syne and the red and yellow piece is Noughts and Crosses

I have been very blessed by the innovative ideas and encouragement of my friends and others who have commissioned pieces from me this year. I’ll do a summing up next week but ideas for next year are building and there will be some exciting new forms and pieces. I will be going to some of the craft fairs I have attended this year and some new ones too and I am going to get a more individual website up and running too.

 

 

 

                

I have two craft fairs next weekend. On Saturday I have two tables at Thame Town Hall. I will be selling my glass pieces alongside my colleagues who are having a table to raise money for our NHS department. They will be selling all manner of hand made or hand decorated goodies.

On Sunday I have a stall at Stratford-on-Avon in the Town Hall. This is a new venue for me so I am looking forward to wowing a new set of customers.

After that I have one more craft fair at Towcester on the 2nd December. This will be my last fair for the 2017 season. However, I am already planning next year’s creations and looking forward to sharing my skills with those already booked into my workshops in 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

At this time of year the simple poppy becomes a highly significant image in the UK. In case you don’t know why I will explain, if you do know please jump to the next paragraph. During World War I, the ground where trench warfare took place was constantly disturbed. In June, the simple wild poppy bloomed in huge numbers.

   This image was used by the Haig Fund to raise money for a national memory and support for those injured in wars, wherever and whenever they take place. This memorial takes place at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month each year. Realistically, the nearest Sunday to this date is earmarked for our national event. Wreaths of poppies are laid at War Memorials all across the country with the one at the Cenotaph in London being televised.

However, the poppy is a very popular image in general so I thought it was about time I made some.

      

The poppy hanger is 7.5cm across, the poppy coaster is 10cm square. The design is very simple but that makes it all the more appealing. I think I’ll be making a few of these as they have proved very popular so far. As the glass is hand cut each piece will be very individual.

On a technical note, scoring in a circle isn’t easy. I have a circle scorer but even getting that to work properly is an art. I managed to get 5 out of 8 attempts OK, though one smashed when I dropped it on the floor! The first circle I cut I used a circular hole saw (circular metal bit that drills a large round hole), that was successful but took a long time to cut. There are no short cuts! However, the circle is a very pleasing shape so I think I’ll just have to get lots of practice with my scorer.

I a selling these poppies for £6.00 each but pleas note that they are not associated with the Haig Fund.

 

 

 

When folk come for a workshop I like to guide them on using the materials (glass, mosaics etc) and suggest things that they can make but I think is is also important for them to use their own ideas and creativity. This was particularly shown when a couple came for a fused glass workshop recently.

Linda was afraid of cutting glass so I suggested that she make something to fuse using mosaic nippers, Paul was happy to have a go with a glass scorer tool. Linda made a set of coasters from my scrap boxes, Paul made a bowl using similar pieces. But, rather than using two layers of glass to create uniform pieces, they only used one layer. There is one thing though, you have to connect each piece of glass with the others around it otherwise the piece falls apart and the shape is variable.

 

I think you’ll agree that the final pieces are colourful and creative.

You can see how they used clear glass to link all of the pieces together.

So, guidance on cutting glass with either mosaic nippers or glass scorer given and knowledge of how a single layer of glass behaves in the kiln were essential but Linda and Paul were given the freedom to satisfy their own creativity and were delighted with the results.

   

‘Tis the season to get snuggly things made ready for the winter. This year I am offering to make these sling covers for just £18 incl UK p&p. “What is it?” you may ask.

If you carry your baby in a sling, during the winter your coat won’t fit around you both so this fills the gap. You put the baby in the sling, put your coat on and then button this across the gap (having sown 6 big buttons on your coat). It has a hood for the baby and a muff for mum, placed so that you can hold your baby around the nappy area as one tends to do. Both of you are snug and warm.

I can make it in lots of different colours and stripey or plain as you wish. See the attached pdf for more info. If you’d like one of these or know someone who does get in touch soon so that I can get it ready for those chilly days just around the corner.

Baby sling cover leaflet v3.

I am having a craft stall at Banbury’s Canal Day on Sunday (the weather forecast looks grim but we can hope for a break in the rain!). As it is a market stall, effectively outside, I thought that a wind chime would be a perfect thing to make to drive the stall holders mad but look fantastic.

I consulted my team of crafting buddies and Autumn colours were chosen. The six Bullseye colours I chose were woodland brown, tomato red, French vanilla, citronelle green, marigold yellow and tangerine orange. Like the other wind chime we made as a group, each piece has all 6 colours on it, making a vibrant piece. The finishing touches of small nuggets, previously made in the kiln, straight stringers and wiggly ones created in a candle flame just make it completely unique and fun to grace anyone’s garden.

If you’re in the area on Sunday put up your brolly and come and have a look. I’m showcasing my Christmas decoration collection for the first time and have lots of wonderful pieces, good for gifts or to brighten up your own home.