Dancing on Ice....

Not me.  My car.  This afternoon.  In fact, what a great day all round!

This morning, I drove over to the art room at Long Eaton to see if the kiln fairies had been kind to the Sunday class.  They were, and I hope everybody who took the class will be pleased with the results.  Mind you, it was so cold, that when I put the kiln shelves back in the boot of the car, I noticed some glass in a box had ice on it!  

A visit to the studio next, to find Rachel had a roaring fire going, too the point the stove was actually glowing hot... unfortunately, after a warm by the fire, it was all hands on deck (well, me and Rachel, as that was all who was there) after a pipe burst and we had water everywhere.  Don't panic!  Oh, yeah, and the toilets were frozen.... 

After this, I had to call at the exhaust repair centre, to get a bracket replaced - quick job, five minutes in and out.  Or it would have been if I hadn't got stuck with wheels-a-spinning, trying to get back up the road out of the place... oh the embarrassment.... I have to say, I was glad to get home tonight!

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!

The reason I was up in Rowsley, before the weather got really bad last week, is because I am shadowing Rachel Carter as an artist in residence for the Bolsover Project.  We're weaving willow spheres (something new to me and thoroughly enjoyable) with community groups there.  The spheres are then going to be part of the Bolsover Lantern Parade on Saturday.  I am helping Rachel with the work, although I am not sure I will be able to get to Bolsover on Saturday to see them lit up in all their glory, as my son is playing in a band on Saturday night, and it's hardly the weather for racing around...

I hope I remember to take my camera with me tomorrow up to the Peak District, even if the snow is melting, it should still be spectacular scenery....

Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow!

Well, last Friday saw a heavy snowfall, and I didn't know if I could get to Kedleston Hall - I struggled to get out the end of my road, never mind across Derby.

But oh my, the grounds were beautiful when I got there. I forgot to take my camera with me, so I had to resort to my mobile to take a few snaps.

This one was on the lane as I drove down to the Lodge entrance.  As the sun was melting the ice on these bushes, it twinkled, although I am not sure if you can see that with such a device!

This was a view down over the grounds, and yes, the roads (yes, there is a road there somewhere under the snow) were a slippy as they look!

On Tuesday, before it got worse, we went up to Rowsley, near Bakewell.  I am shadowing a local artist, Rachel Carter, in a community project.  The views through Matlock were amazing, sadly, although I remembered about my camera this time, I forgot to charge the batteries.  And I couldn't use my phone as the battery on that was getting low too!  I hoped to be able to capture the beauty another day, but we haven't been able to get up there ever since.

Sadly, the Christmas Craft exhibition at Strutts Society this Saturday has had to be cancelled, as some makers couldn't make it, and with the added pressure of difficult car park conditions, extra visitors and the threat of more snow and freezing temperatures, the organisers have regretfully had to cancel.  It is a shame, I was looking forward to meeting Simon Groom and getting my Blue Peter badge.

We ARE however, running the glass fusing workshop on Sunday, yippee!

A Matter of Trust

The National Trust, actually.

This weekend, I am at the Christmas Craft Fair at Kedleston Hall in Derby.

I've never been here, and it looks magnificent!  I hope I get a chance to get a look-see at some point...

The Craft Fair is on 11am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday 27th/28th November, and I will be the "smoking room" which is next to Caesars Hall.  If you're coming by public transport, there are free buses from Derby bus station.  Craft demonstrations will be on throughout the event, and apparently there will be a barrel organ playing Christmas tunes, it's close enough to December now to start hearing them! 

Must remember to make myself some Handmade in Derbyshire labels, as this is something they're promoting for the event, and it was a suggestion made at our open studio too, so it will be worth me doing that I think.

Christmas decorations were popular at the weekend, but as each event is always different, I need a good range of goods, so off to the studio for me to do a bit more making!

Long Eaton Art Room...

... is where I am at this weekend.

I have been busy making, and doing, and fixing and packing, and unfortunately, not photographing anything yet!

So, if you want to see some of my latest pieces, including the lovely new decal work I am doing, you'll have to come along to Long Eaton Art Room this Saturday or Sunday to take a peek.

Lots of locally made craft from a range designer/makers, drinks and snacks available and lamp-working demonstration on Sunday by my lovely friend Ruth of A & R Beads.

Oh What a Day...

It was the Open Studio event at Shed 2 yesterday... phew (in a good way)! The studio looked great when we'd had a good tidy up, rearranged the furniture and put our work out on display. 

The whole morning went by in a bit of a blur, it was really busy, although a lot of people through the door were my friends and family!  It was great though, that I got so much support and it was a lovely opportunity to show my friends what I've been doing with my time down at the studio.

I got some very positive responses to my own work, and most people said how they thought the whole of Shed 2 was a great place (something which I don't need telling twice).  People seemed to particularly love the camper vans (watch this space), so guess what I am making this week... because I can't rest on my laurels, I have craft fairs for the next weekends, so I need to make sure I have lots of stock (for those lovely customers!).

Will try and post some photos of the new work over the next couple of days.

Talking of Craft Events

Tis a busy weekend all round.  We have our open event at Shed 2 Studios on Saturday 13th November, so that will keep me out of mischief for a while.

Elsewhere, also this weekend, is Lustre, an annual contemporary craft event held at Nottingham's Lakeside Arts Centre. 

 This is an exciting year, because four of my course colleagues have been selected for their "Young Meteors" scheme, so will be exhibiting.

Robyn Holgate, who makes beautiful products from printed, steam bent wood, which are finished off with hand crocheted trims.  She posted these new items recently on her blog.

Deborah Miles, who makes automata from recycled wood and tin - this is an example of some work that went to the Catmose Gallery in Rutland. I am sure the work Deb takes to Lustre will be equally fun.

Another Shed 2 resident, Nicola Lidstone, will be taking a selection of beautiful, hand-shaped porcelain animal sculptures

I haven't been able to speak to Katie Heeks lately but these Gardens of Personal Delight are quite stunning, intricate little fantasy worlds.  I can't wait to see what she's making for the show.

If you get the chance to make it over to Nottingham, Lustre is well worth a visit, a show full of high quality contemporary craft work.

Does this sound familiar to you?

Ever done a craft fair?

A forum friend wrote this blog post the other day, and I really wanted to share it with you.  It's a funny read, but it's also oh so true!

If you've ever done a craft fair, you'll recognise a few of the characters I am sure.  And if you've not done an event yet, still read it, and be prepared!

A Bedtime Story for Craft Stall Holders...

So, apart from being amused by this blog post, what else have I been up to.  Well, the kiln has been working hard, as has the grinder, although it's poorly today, I do hope I haven't broken it for good.

I've been playing with more decals, but I haven't taken any photographs yet, so here's something else I made instead....

 

  

I've been quite busy, trying to build up stock for the Open Studio Event next weekend.  I hope to offer a chance to decorate glass tree ornaments, so that's the latest task this week.  I also went along to a networking meeting at Erewash Partnership, met some thoroughly lovely people, as well as hopefully made some useful contacts and I visited a local infants school the other day about a potential project there.  I'll tell you more about that in due course...

Oh, and most exciting news!  I have some of my ceramic wall art pieces on display in their first gallery shop!  Tim at Corner Arts in Ilkeston had a look at my work last week, liked what he saw and took all four pieces that I showed him, so that was rather pleasing.  I haven't been back since they've been hung, hope they look good on his walls.