I get inspiration from lots of different places and sometimes just an idea can spark a design. ‘Patchwork’ triggered my latest activity.

I had great fun putting this together, using pre-curved, S-shaped stringers, extra dots, yellow scraps and other lovely bits from my glass boxes. The one overwhelming reality about this piece is that it is completely unique. In fact it was only out of the kiln for a few hours before it was sold, so, if you’d like one let me know what colours you’d like and I can make you your own patchwork dish.

I’ve been making other dishes too, ready for my stall at Banbury’s Food and Drink Fair on Sunday 18th August. I’m looking forward to being able to share my goodies with the crowds who come to the fair. There will be lots of food and drink to try too, of course.

 

 

 

 

 

I am attending a few different craft fairs over the next few weeks so I thought I’d make some themed pieces.

At the beginning of August I am going to Shabbington Steam Fair, near Thame. In respect of that I have made a couple of steam trains, a couple of ‘I love trains’ hangers and a traction engine. These are all two dimensional and very much a representation rather than an accurate artistic reproduction. But, as with many of my pieces, they are colourful and fun.

In mid August I am going to Banbury Food & Drink Fair. Now, I’m not selling food – (although I do make a fab clotted cream fudge!) but I have been making a series of serving dishes which I will show nearer the time.

Looking forward to some hot sunny weather -( in which I will be making lampwork Father Christmas’s – yes I know it’s July but I need to start making Christmas stuff as early as I can!). These will be available from October along with other Christmas goodies I am working on.

 

Just when I thought I had the right idea about numbers of craft fairs to book ( two a month maybe!) I find myself booked out for four consecutive weekends in July. I didn’t mean to do that but I am looking forward to four new venues at which to show my wares.

One idea that I update each year is my music curve. I choose two tunes each year and I make them into stand-alone pieces. This one is ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’ – hence the brown colours of a woodland, my other tune is ‘My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean’. I have been especially creative with that piece as the stave lines curve like a wave. However, the photograph looks very confusing so I when I have worked at my photography I’ll post a picture. This is real music – the notes are the actual tune but not all tunes lend themselves to this particular art form. I work through the music carefully to try and make pieces that are interesting to look at as well as correct.

So I look forward to seeing you at my events:

July 13th – Hanfest, Hanwell, nr Banbury

July 20th/21st – Cosgrove Canal Days nr Milton Keynes

July 27th – Abingdon Craft Market

August 3rd/4th – Shabbington Steam Fair, nr Thame

And I am always happy to discuss a commission with you if there’s that unique something that you would like for someone special.

 

I am delighted to say that I will be attending Banbury Art Fest on Sunday in Spiceball Park with my colourful glass. The event is part of the Banbury & District Show. The weather is going to be lovely so come along and say Hello. I’m looking forward to meeting up with friends and other artists from the local area. We are a talented bunch! (and modest of course).

Thank you so much to everyone who came to see my lovely glass, those who bought some to take home and especially my band of helpers who assisted me in keeping me company and making lots of cups of tea.

So, what’s next?

On 9th June I am taking part in Art Fest, which is one of many events this year that I am trying for the first time. This is held as part of the Banbury and District Show, in Spiceball Park, Banbury. I will have lots of lovely things to see, and as it is a Art Fest I’ll be bringing along some of my arty pieces – as well as some functional and fun pieces too.

In July and August I am attending a whole host of fab events:

13th July – Hanfest, Hanwell nr Banbury. Festival day and folk music at night. Craft event open 11am

20th, 21st July – Cosgrove Canal Open Weekend.

27th July – Abingdon Craft Market

3rd, 4th August – Shabbington Steam Fair, Nr Thame.

If you fancy having a go at making some wonderful glass pieces for yourself or a friend I would love to invite you to one of my Taster Workshops. Click on the link below to see what’s on offer. I have half day ones for £48, and full day ones for £85.

Mosaic and Fused Glass Taster workshops

Lampwork Taster workshop

 

 

Tomorrow is the last day for seeing all of my colourful glass in one place. Because I have a lot of pieces I can only take some of it to craft fairs. It’s a difficult choice I have to make when I choose things to take with me. I love it all but some just has to stay at home till next time.

If you can’t make it tomorrow then my next event is on 9th June in Spice Ball Park in Banbury. It’s the Banbury & District Show and there is an Art Fest Marquee. I’ll have a great selection of glass on show there.

 

Well, I open for Art Weeks again tomorrow. I am open from 11am to 6pm until Monday. I have lots of lovely cake and some rather gorgeous glass (though I say it myself).

I was playing with some frit (glass equivalent of grit) and scattered a little powdered glass in some clear frit and developed rather a lovely set of paperweights. It almost looks like a little universe in the milky way. I have these in several colours as well as lots of other pieces too.

I had some lovely visitors last weekend, one of whom bought my curvy edged dish so I have made another one. This time it’s based on grey with red and yellow highlights. It is about 35cm across, large enough to make quite a statement on your coffee table, or to put fruit in.

I am looking forward to seeing more visitors this weekend. I am open Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11am to 6pm. I am baking some more lovely shortbread and flapjacks tomorrow and home made cakes are on offer too. Mmmmm.

Well, the weather clouds brought us rain so it was slow to start but once the clouds lifted a little we had a nice bunch of folk round to see what I get up to in my spare time (what spare time I hear you say)!  Ably assisted by one of my friends as co-host and husband on the kettle we had a busy afternoon.

I did three lampwork demonstrations. This year I am demonstrating making quirky ducks using lots of the techniques I have learnt over the last year. Having spent most of last summer making penguins and snowmen for the Christmas season, ducks are a similar shape.

So to Day 2. The weather is going to be better so at least we’ll be able to sit outside and wait for folk to arrive. There is still plenty of cake to go around.

Art Weeks is nearly here and we’re all ready. Cakes are made, glass is ready, I’ve even repainted my studio bench! I have had time to play with an interesting glass concept this week which has resulted in a glorious rainbow dish. Yes, it was meant to have holes in it but it has turned out as I hoped. There are so many different effects one can get in glass that I have lost count.

Looking forward to meeting new faces, and old friends over the next week or so.