Oh, it's been ages...

since I last blogged!

I've been (and still am) more than a bit poorly, with a not so clever back, so I am doing no work at the studio at the moment; which is really frustrating as Kiln Bill is there awaiting my company, and last week a little packet of new goodies to play with (enamels) arrived, and I can't go and play!

I've also been busy with revamping the website for Long Eaton Art Room - they needed some updates doing, so I re-did the whole thing... still a few more things to add, but I think it's getting there. 

So, I've been doing no making lovely things with glass - got to now start planning and making soon for the Contemporary Craft Exhibition at Arkwright Mill in Cromford during May as that will be upon us in no time.

Meanwhile, Groovy Baby coasters have been featured in yet another Etsy Treasury :-)

Debbie Smyth - 'Drawing with thread'

This was tweeted earlier, love the idea!

Kiln Bill is in the House!!

'Nuff said.

DIY Day

The new kiln arrived on Wednesday!

32 locking nuts, a giant alan key, a socket and a couple of hours later, I'd put the stand together, and tightened it all off.

Unwrapped the layers and layers of shrink wrap to unpack the kiln, and read through the instruction. Now, anybody who knows me will know that this is a rare thing - but I really do wish I had checked those first... because when I got to the bit 'about your stand' it told me NOT to tighten off the nuts until the kiln was on top.... NOW YOU TELL ME!!

A bit more grubbing round on the floor, loosen them off, fetch two men to come and lift Bill into his new home and a bit more grubbing round in corners to tighten it all up again.

So excited. So frustrated!!! Because I haven't been able to have enough time back at the studio since to even do a test run... oh, well, tomorrow is another day. Needless to say I am really looking forward to having a chance to make some larger pieces in my new toy, oops I mean special piece of workshop equipment.

Meanwhile, I just posted a couple of new cabochons on Etsy... well, I have to show you glass.

As Red as a Red Thing....

Here's one I made earlier.  I really like this idea, and I have four juicy coloured coasters in the kiln as I write this... hopefully the kiln fairies will have been kind today....

Happy Week.

My 'Polkadot Parade' Coasters were featured in this lovely cheerful treasury on Etsy (Click on the big image).

And I am getting quite excited.... my new kiln arrives at the studio on Wednesday!  Oh, I can make BIG stuff... (am trying to stifle a squeak!) - good timing though, I have to start thinking about making for upcoming events soon

Another Treasury Feature

Quick post before bedtime, and I have discovered a new gadget thingy that hopefully will make this a bit easier to do!

World Book Night

What, a post, NOT about glass....?

A lovely friend on my glass forum (okay, had to get the word in there somewhere!) is taking part in World Book Night  - read more about it here, but it's a new event where a million books are given away - 20,000 people send books to 48 people from a shortlist of 25. 

I am going to receive Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell.  I can't say it is a book I would have gone out and selected (although I had heard of it mentioned by David Mitchell, the comedian!) - but I guess that's the whole point of World Book Night!

I am really looking forward to receiving the book, thank you Mary!

Another Treasury to feast your eyes on....

Those kind folk over at Frit Happens Etsy Team have featured my work again in a treasury - that's my pendant first column, third row down.

Click on the big image to go directly to the Etsy page of delights!

Good Enough to Eat!

I'm still playing with decals, and these were fresh out of the kiln today.

Originally, I wasn't sure of the colours, so I mixed them up... and I am thrilled with the results - so much so that I couldn't wait to photograph them and show you!

Nom Nom!