Glass Fusing Taster Day

Fancy a go at glass fusing? I am running a workshop at the Long Eaton Art Room on Sunday, 7th March.

I will show you the basics of glass fusing and tell you about some of the techniques you can use. I'll show you how to cut and assemble glass which will go into the kiln to be turned into lovely pendants, coasters, etc.

It's a relaxed, informal day, where you can work at your own pace and explore creative ideas. We don't usually work to a specific project, so you might find it helpful to bring along a
sketchbook, photographs or anything else inspirational. If there is anything specific you'd like to try, please contact me before the day and I will see what I can do.

The cost is £45, which includes your glass, the firing, and refreshments throughout the day - but you do need to bring your own lunch (or there's a pub nearby - although I don't advocate cutting glass after a pint or two!). A £10 deposit secures your place, which you can pay to the art room (contact them on 0115 9461661) - the balance is payable on the day.

(Just so you know, the work isn't ready on the day - we have to arrange a time to collect that, as the glass takes a few hours in the kiln to work its magic!)

Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to know more: CLICK HERE TO SEND AN E-MAIL

Warm Glass Competition 2010

Warm Glass, a supplier of lots of (mainly) Bullseye glass, accessories, tools and equipment, holds an annual competition for kiln-formed glass.

This year, its broken down into three categories, and I have entered this piece in the student section (whilst I still can!)



It's open to public vote for three weeks, and the top five in each section go through to selection panel - if you like my piece, and would like me to have a chance to be seen by the judging panel, click here: VOTE FOR ME!

Thank you, and wish me luck!

Dragonflies of Ilkeston

There's a lovely treasure of a shop in Ilkeston, on Station Road.

Andrea makes beautiful handmade cards and wedding stationery, as well as selling card making supplies, gifts, candles, oh all sorts. Oh, and yeah, she has a bit of my glass in there too!

They've recently created a website where you'll be able to buy many goodies online, if you can't make it into the town. Click here to go through: Dragonflies of Ilkeston

I wish her well; so many shops have struggled in this difficult financial climate and card-making and craft supplies are always up against the big guns who (just like with fruit and veg) can force down the prices to compete, but then when they've quashed the competition, they stop stocking, or they don't know anything about the products they're selling.

You'll not find that at Dragonflies. Andrea, Christine and the rest of the staff - sorry I don't know all your names! - are knowledgeable and extremely helpful, and will do their very best to find what you need (even if that sometimes means telling you to go the shop down the road!). You'll get good old fashioned proper customer service. And you might get a nice cuppa too!

Jeremy James Masterclass

For any ceramics enthusiasts out there, Jeremy James, Ceramic Sculptor, will be holding a lecture and demonstration day at the University of Derby in March.

Click here for details - hurry, though, places are going fast!

The class is being run to help raise funds for our year group to go to New Designers in London in July, after we all graduate.

Call for Help - I Need A Commission!

As the title says. Why? Well, it's time to start the final project - the biggie, the important one, the graduate show!

So, why am I looking for a commission?

Over the last few years, I have found that I enjoy working to set parameters - as is often the case with site specific work, public art, commission or themed competition (last year I floundered until I entered the Biocity competition, which was themed, and where the location inspired the imagery).

I like my work to be informed by it's location - whether it's the history of the site, about the community, or what the location is used for - that's the kind of thing that inspires me.

In my infinite wisdom, I have decided to make my final degree show piece, something that would be made to commission, or site specifically.

It doesn't have to be a real commission (I know that getting approval and funding for such things can take a long time) - it doesn't even have to be anywhere that is even looking for a piece of work. Just somewhere that it might go.

Hospitals are one potential place, and as we have two hospitals/treatment centres in the region that have been built recently, I will certainly be contacting the arts coordinators there. But equally, it could be any other healthcare environment, a school, a community hall, shopping centre, new business....

I plan to work with handmade ceramic and glass tiles, and its almost certainly going to be wall art. Ideally, I need somewhere that I can get access to, as I'd need to see the site and take photographs (so I can photoshop the finished piece in situ later), and not too far to travel - East Midlands area.

If you can think of anywhere that might be suitable, which could benefit from a piece of artwork, please let me know.