The kiln fairies have chosen to be kind

A couple of weeks ago, when I did the Beau Show, I think I must have upset the kiln fairies.

I'd made some coasters, and just wanted to add a couple of plates/dishes to offer a bit more choice - but first I managed to get a bubble the size of half a golf ball in one plate (and the plate looked like it had cellulite too with dimples) - and the second one, well that had a small air bubble problem, and despite several re-visits to the kiln, it decided it wasn't going to play - so that was two big pieces of Bulls-eye that are probably wasted - a lovely sparkly green and gorgeous rich red.

So, it was with some trepidation that I fired the kiln up again yesterday. Having told a friend that in some beading circles (okay, some mad people on Frit Happens!) reckon that you have to dance around naked at midnight to appease the kiln fairies, he very kindly offered the use of his garden for me and my friends - isn't that kind of him??

Well, I digress. No, I didn't practice some strange kiln fairy pleasing ritual, but the first fuse went okay, and it went back in last night to be slumped.

I am rather pleased to say, it has come out, not just fine, better than fine - I think it's lovely. And my son wants to keep it!

I haven't take a photograph yet, its not long come out and to be perfectly honest, I am not sure I will be able to capture it's beauty too well - it is aventurine green, which is a rich, deep, sparkly glass , so I am going to have to wait for some special lighting conditions if I am to show it to you - watch this space.

I am pleased, and now I want to fire lots more things (which is probably just as well, seeing as I have a Christmas craft fair which will be upon me before I know it!).

Another piece is in the kiln as I write, so again, I am hoping the kiln fairies are still in a good mood......

Something borrowed, something blue (ish)

A while back I posted a couple of older pics and I am at it again (well, I haven't made anything new to show yet, that's the next on the "to do" list....

As you may have read, I was rather excited to receive my first commission order - and it was at that craft fair that it occurred to me that I don't have an album of sold work, or to show what other sort of things I can do.

At Christmas, I made my brother and sister-in-law a set of four coasters. They are squirrel made (nuts??), so I played with the theme. This is a technique called kiln carving, and explores the effects of different thicknesses of tranpsparent coloured glass, and how different edges can affect the light (boy would I like to photogram one of these!)

I never got chance to take a pic of them when they were being made, as they didn't actually come out of the kiln until Christmas Day morning - but they recently brought me a coaster back over to try and photograph.

I am not sure whether you can appreciate the full effect here or not. But do take a look, let me know what you think. I am now going away to scratch my head and see what other designs I can come up with.....

Front view



And the reverse side

What a grey day.....

I just got back from a week in Majorca - boy, it was hot! We had clear blue skies almost all week, one or two days were a bit overcast, but it was a blessed relief when it was, I can tell you.

No pictures today, hopefully I will catch up soon.

Over the August Bank holiday weekend, I did the BEAUshow at Long Eaton Art Room - I didn't do too bad, sales-wise, considering the weekend that it was, but I got some great feedback, some lovely contacts, a couple of people signing up for the next fusing taster day already, and my first ever "proper" commission (not counting special requests by my sister-in-law!) - so I am looking forward to doing that order now I am back in wet, grey England.

I have also been asked to have a go at something for a lady who does sculptures - as someone on Frit Happens pointed out, if somebody asks me what I do now, how cool will it be to say "I make minotaur eyes"!

On top of these, I plan to do the Christmas Craft Fair at the Art Room which we are holding in November, so people can place commission orders in time for Christmas - so, I have to get my finger out and make some stock for that, and I am back at Uni in 3 weeks....