Building Bridges

Last Wednesday, yes, one of those days after we'd already had a considerable snow fall, myself and Gavin went on a walk with the support and guidance of a couple of the Walking for Health leaders, and some of the group members.

Starting at Armstrongs Mill which is near to one of the former train station sites (Ilkeston Junction), we meandered along the canal path, down to Bennerley Viaduct - this is a historically important structure is Grade II Listed and is on the Buildings at Risk Register. Unusual for it's time, it is a wrought iron lattice work structure, when most viaducts were brick built - because of former coal mining in the area, it was subject to a lot of subsidence and it meant the structure was lighter. If you want to read more about the Viaduct, click here - it will take you to the Wikipedia page about it, which is as good a start as any.  Happy history hunting.

Despite the cold air, and crunchy snow underfoot, it was a lovely day for the walk, and the light was simply beautiful.  I opted to take my little camera with me for ease; I do wish I had taken my dSLR as my pocket camera tended to mess up on light settings, but hopefully you can get the idea of how lovely it looked:

Bennerley Viaduct

Well, I didn't actually use the black and white setting here!  The light was not quite as dramatic and stormy as it looks, but if I lighten the image any more, it loses all definition.

It was fascinating for me; despite having lived in the area for most of my life, I don't know that side of Ilkeston all that well, and lost my bearings a couple of times - it was good when I saw recognisable landmarks (to me) such as the Awsworth by-pass.

The walk ended with a cuppa and tea-cake in Armstrongs Mill and a good chat with the walking group.  Hopefully we'll pick up some interesting memories about Stanton, and Cotmanhay, the railways, and so on, but mostly it was a pleasure to make contact with new people; certainly the walk inspired me to want to start sketching again (something I don't do nearly enough of these days); now I actually know how to get down to the viaduct, I will return to with the bigger camera and the sketchbook - this might inspire a whole new body of work!

 

Do you know what it is yet?

Not long now, metal framework in progress, over the next few days I'll be putting the whole thing together and getting it installed... Me, nervous?

Derbyshire Open Arts Weekend

Starting to look a bit tidier now down at Shed 2 Studios, in readiness for opening our doors this weekend.... Last but of hoovering and polishing to do, and then everything can go out on display...

Tidy Studio!

Workshops

I updated my website just before I went away, but I forgot to share!  I've pencilled in some new dates for glass fusing workshops at my studio in Derbyshire ...NEW WORKSHOP DATES.

During my one day taster sessions, I will show you how to cut and handle glass safely; we practice with clear window glass first - most students create a small wall hanging in the morning, and later we move onto using Bullseye Glass - a brand of fusing glass that has the most gorgeous range of colours in sheet glass as well as 'accessory' glass such as frit and stringer, as well as using inclusions and other methods.

 

I show you various methods of assembling coloured glass to produce a small range of glass pieces for pendants, brooches, cufflinks etc, or perhaps a coaster, as well as explaining a bit about the technical side of things - you'll get some advice notes to take away, and I can talk you through related products such as kilns, cold-working equipment and so on.

At the end of the day, your work is loaded into my digitally controlled glass kiln to be fired overnight - your work will be annealed for strength and durability, so the pieces you make are suitable for practical use either for yourself as as gifts for others.

On a standard day, I do not show you now to make anything specific as I prefer to let you explore your own creativity whilst learning the new techniques, although I occasionally will be running themed workshops.  Of course if there is anything special you'd like to make, then we can look at this too!  Normal fusing days are for groups of 3 to 5 people, so lots of time to help you get things right.  If a small group of people want a class tailoring to specifc needs, please get in touch and we can work this out.

Prices for 2011 are only £50 per person, per day - this includes tuition, access to tools and equipment, firing costs, and supply of glass and accessories to make several pieces to keep.