Cold Working not working in the cold!

Hi There,

My cold working shed is now up and running!

What is cold working? Well in a nutshell it’s any processing we do on a glass piece when its cold. So; cutting (sawing) grinding, polishing, sand-blasting, drilling and even, I guess, cold fusion, or bonding. Some of these can be done in betwen kiln work – so a final ‘fire polish’, for example, may take place after sand blasting.

And my shed? Well it was delivered and erected by one man in about an hour! Utterly amazing and its exactly what I wanted, sturdy, neat and from a relatively local supplier. It looks good next to the pond too, so its a pleasure to use. All the equipment was moved, shelving built – I’m just waiting for a sink and base – within 2 days. Howzat!

The First One Week Course – a success!

Last weekend I completed a one week Beginners Fusing Workshop for 2 lovely, interesting and talented ladies, Thamar and Anat, from Israel. Once I’d introduced them to the basics, they were bursting with ideas so the lesson plan soon went out the window and I guided them to create the things they wanted and even to try a little experimentation. On Saturday morning they collected all their finished glass, well bubble-wrapped, and set off on the first leg of the journey home with the spare suitcase full and then some!

Under the Sea
Garden Dish
'Pity' Spoonrest
Floral Candle Shield
Graphic Candle Shield
Garden Path Wave
Portrait
Solitary Oak
Corporate Coasters
Key Chain 'gems'
Puzzle Piece Brooch

A village B&B proved an excellent choice for accomodation, just 5 minutes walk away. The weather was brilliant and Thamar and Anat were able to explore our beautiful corner of Shropshire in the evenings. Perfect way to relax after a day in the studio; it even inspired one of their glass art works. Thamar and Anat were a delight and would love to come again; and I hope so.
I’m on the international map now!

If you like the idea of 2 or more days glass fusing and perhaps overnight stays in our quiet rural location, see my workshop page or give me a call and I can send you more details.

Workshop dates – Autumn

Dates for September & October are limited and in fact some were taken (booked) before I managed to publish. The weekends are taken with events as we count down to shhhh…. I’m not using that word yet! However, I can usually be pretty flexible during the week so if you fancy an Autumn date and can do mid-week just give me a call. Seasonal Workshops (no I’m still not using the word) will be added shortly – but the old rule applies; just call me?

Enjoy this fab weather while its here. Stay cool!

P.S.
Did I mention I did my first WI talk in June – well first on glass anyway. So I’m now available to give talks on a Brief History of Glass and similar topics.

Mid Summer news

Hi there,

We’re planning a mellow midsummer at The Fusing Ideas Studio after the rush of the last 3 weeks. And I can say for sure, that I won’t be off to Stonehenge to dance around the stones this weekend; ‘though I might watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream again!

Actually I have a workshop on Saturday morning which is much more fun; I’m delighted to welcome a returning ‘student’ plus 2 friends.

New Facilities

Most exciting is the coming together of my cold working ‘shed’! The base is down thanks to the ‘boys’ doing a sterling job while I was away and the ‘shed’ is being painted ready to assemble on Monday. Then its all hands on deck to move the equipment – sandblaster, grinder, saw, etc – into its’ new home.
What this means for you is; in future I can offer extended courses to include cold working of your glass.
And I’ll be doing more cold working myself too, as I’ll be able to access the tools much more easily.

I’m a happy bunny!

Workshops

I’m currently planning course dates for September to December to include Christmas Workshops – as many as I can squeeze in for the weekends between shows. As always, please contact me if you would like to book weekdays as I don’t usually put these dates online and I can be quite flexible Monday to Friday.
And I’m wondering about evenings over the summer too?

There are still places on my workshops for mid July to August – details and to buy.

Upcoming Events

I’ll be exhibiting at The Willow Gallery in Oswestry for their Summer Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft Exhibition, Saturday 21st July to 8th September, along side superb Shropshire Guild artists and craftsmen. If you like the unique and original then this is a show for you.

Immediately followed by Herefordshire Art Week, a well established annual art trail that runs right across our county neighbour, from Saturday September 8th through to Sunday 16th.
Find me at Aardvark Books, venue 102 in the north and at The Trumpet Corner Tea Rooms & Gallery, venue 10 in the south.
h.Art is the perfect opportunity to explore the world of original works of art and craft in beautiful settings.

and finally……

Subscribe to my Newsletter

The best way to get all the news about Fusing Ideas Glass, products, events and the latest workshop dates as well as special offers, discounts off courses, special discounts for returning ‘students’, tickets and invitations to events, is to subscribe to my newsletter. I absolutely won’t bombard you, we’ll be very protective of your data and, of course, you can easily unsubscribe whenever you like by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter. Make sure you don’t miss anything; subscribe now.

warmest wishes

June Updates

Hello, here’s the latest news for June!

Catch the Aardvark!

Out of the Hills art and craft exhibition is open until Sunday 17th June at Aardvark Books & Cafe in Brampton Bryan, between Leintwardine and Knighton.

Amazing art, contemporary craft and Ethel Aardvark! What more could you want? The exhibition features 12 local artists using a broad variety of media and techniques – so catch it while you can.

Refreshments (home made & scrumptious) free parking and free entry – and books. It’s well worth making time to visit. Follow on facebook for the latest.

The Royal Three Counties Agricultural Show at Malvern

Friday to Sunday, 15th – 17th June. I’ll be there with some of my peers from The Worcestershire Guild of Contemporary Craft, in The Severn Hall, next to the main arena.
Three Counties is a spectacular day out with lots to see & do. And if you love crafts there will be fabulous showings from the local Crafts Guilds and you can be sure that you are looking at unique, original, local work – nothing bought-in or machine made here!
We’re all exteremely passionate about what we do and expect to find us happy to share our (crafty) passion with you.

You made it!

Check out my workshop/class dates here.
And don’t forget you can call me if you’d love to make your own fabulous glass. I can often fit in classes for groups of 2 or more during the week (sometimes at very short notice especially if your staying locally on holiday) and I’d be happy to put together an itinerary for a longer workshop just for you!

Stay cool

May Day!

Hello!

… nope I’m not calling for help, I’m having an aMAYzing time being creative in the studio in preparartion for 2 shows and an exhibition in June.
And before that, I’m catching up with glass photographer extraordinaire Simon Bruntnell for a photo shoot towards the end of the month.

Contemporary glass (mine) is just one of a medly of media to be seen at
Out of the Hills, a brand new art and craft exhibition. Curated by Maggie & Kim Davis and featuring 12 artists from Herefordshire and the surrounding counties, it is being staged at the delightful Aardvark Books in Brampton Bryan, between Leintwardine and Knighton.

Out of the Hills opens on Saturday 2nd June, with a Private View at 11am and I have a few free tickets if you’d like one, just let me know and I’ll pop one off to you?
The exhibition is then open 7 days a week until Sunday 17th.
I shall be there on 12th & 13th and morning of 8th, as well as at the opening PV.
Refreshments, free parking and free entry – and books. Well worth making time to visit. Follow on facebook for the latest.
I’m working on some new tapestry (glass) work especially for Out of the Hills!

I’m very excited too, to have 2 ‘venues’ for Herefordshire Art Week this year; Trumpet Corner Tearooms and Gallery (as last year) in the east, and in the north I’ll be back at Aardvark Books. Love it!
In fact my, pretty well complete, schedule of events, is done! Opportunities to see and feel my glass and hopefully we get to meet too.

May Workshop News
I have glass fusing workshops running the weekends of 19th/20th and 26th/27th May and with only 3 places on each workshop, they can get booked up quickly, so don’t delay.

Beginner’s Taster Saturday 19th afternoon and Sat. 26th morning.
Beginner’s full day Sunday 20th.
Further Fusing half day (3 hours) Sat. 19th morning and Sat. 26th afternoon.
Further Fusing full day Sunday 27th.

Of course, as always, if you would like to come along as a group of 2 or more, and none of these dates suit, then give me a call as I can most likely create a new date/time for you.

That’s enough from me for now. Don’t forget if your passing, do drop in to see the studio and the little gallery – la piccola galleria (doesn’t everything sound better in Italian?) I am there most of the time but its worth just getting in touch to check before you come.

Take care

April Update

Welcome

April sees me turning up the wick on the events calender and kicks off with the first of the selling exhibitions for the Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft. ‘Showing Off’, 28th April, Beacon Room, Ludlow castle, 10am to 5pm. Or follow the Guild’s facebook page for the latest news, list of exhibitors, etc.
In fact, as is the way of things at this time of year, most of my events calender is in place now – just a few to confirm. And in case you read last months post – I will not be at Malvern Spring Gardening Show this year after all, something had to give in my schedule!

In May I’ll be preparing for an inspiring new exhibition ‘Out Of The Hills’ curated by Maggie and Tim Davis at Aardvark Books, Brampton Bryan, which starts on June 2nd for 2 weeks. And I’ll be in some excellent company too.
If you’ve not visited Aardvark before then you are in for a treat; its a proper bookshop. Two levels packed floor to ceiling with old and new, unusual and varied titles, a wonderful space for children to play and read and incorporating a cafe serving speciality teas, coffees, homemade cakes & light lunches. They encourage you to relax and browse and really, what better way to unwind?
If you are quick there is an amazing sculptural exhibition featuring the works of Paul Caton and Paul Bearman until 15th April.
I’m very excited about being at Aardvark and will be back again later in the year.

Just before Easter I dropped a few pieces of glass off at The Willow Gallery in Oswestry, a delightful gallery and art cafe in the town centre, complimenting my almost permanent presence at The Trumpet Corner Gallery & Tearooms near Ledbury.

Instagram Changes
I’ve just split my instagram page in two – and it didn’t hurt at all, honest!

@FusingIdeas (the original page) is for now for my own glass and other glass plus art, craft, exhibition or otherwise – images that catch my eye.
And (new) @FusingIdeasWorkshops is now solely for work by my lovely, creative students. Often, some of the first words students say to me are “I’m not creative”. Well, as you can see, that could not be further from the truth!

Everyone has an inner creative just waiting to be unleashed and what better way than a crafty workshop?
I have a comprehensive list of workshop dates for beginners and intermediates (further fusers) through to August.
What isn’t included in that list is, of course, dates for bespoke workshops, which Fusing Ideas, as a small studio, can offer for groups of as few as 2 or 3 people. So if you fancy coming along with a ‘buddy’ perhaps for a mid week break (stay over locally) I will tailor a workshop to fit. Some weekends are also available. Alternatively, you can always have a workshop all to yourself – one to one – just contact me.

Take care

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