Some new dichroic glass pendant sets

I don't know why I do it but when I get asked if I can do something I say yes! Even when I know it's not going to be easy to come up with the goods.

So at a recent craft fair, when a customer was looking through my unset stones and came across 2 she liked and asked if I could make a matching pendant .........
I said yes! I did add the proviso that if I couldn't get a match I would make a matching set closest to her chosen colours. (covered my base there at least)


For those who don't work with glass the reason it's not straight forward is that some glass is eg Blue/Magenta/Green so it will come out one of those colours after firing all depending on how much is used and whether the background is opaque or translucent. Then there are a variety of hues and because I don't write down every (read none) combo I am firing it makes trying to remember what went into a piece challenging.

I don't like to make anything twice and I know that by being as random as I am there is little chance and, in the last 3 years, no duplication so each piece is delightfully unique and OOAK.


The result is several sets in a matching style were created in order to create the closest matching set. You can tell by the variety that even when trying hard to duplicate my previous efforts I have not been successful!

I don't mind of course as it lands up as stock but along with my New Year revamp of my website I am having a rethink and will make lots of sets!
Dichroic glass is notoriously difficult to photograph because it is so sparkly and I have to redo the other pics so look out for that.

Where would I be without my ever present and very helpful assistant Valentine?

What do an elephant, a dinosaur and a butterfly have in common?

Nothing of course except in this instance they shared a kiln firing!
I am painting mirrors with fat (make that wide) wooden frames and going to add the dinosaur to a background of trees and a volcano.

My OH said there are always volcanos where there are dinosaurs - not sure how he knows this???

The butterfly will be added to a frame painted with lots of flowers and a pretty blue sky to make whoever looks at it feel happy even when it is grey outside.


The elephant is going in a frame with a textured background as he needs no embellishment.


Hope you like them, please feel free to comment or make suggestions!
Take care xx

Upcoming Craft Fairs

Here is a list of the fairs I am doing over the next few weeks. If you could pop in and say hi that would be great! It is always lovely to see a familiar face, greet a fellow crafter or meet new fans of handmade in UK products!

Bourne Hall Fair - every Thursday 10 - 3pm until 17 Dec - raising money for Shooting Star Hospice for Children at Bourne Hall KT18 5BY.
I have booked 12 and 26 Nov and planning to be there on 03, 10, 17 Dec

Langley Park School for Boys - this is their 23rd annual Craft fair

Date: Sunday 15th November 2009

Time: 8.30 am for exhibitors, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm for customers

Venue: Langley Park School for Boys, South Eden Park Road, Beckenham BR3 3BP

SANDS Fair - supports anyone affected by the loss of a baby and promotes research to reduce the loss of babies' lives.

Date:	Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Time:	19:30 - 21:30
Location:	The Spa Hotel
Street:	Mount Ephraim
Town/City:	Tunbridge Wells TN4 8XJ

I did SANDS last year and it was such a festive and fun event so I am very happy to be there again this year!

TRAFALGAR INFANT SCHOOL Christmas Craft FairElmsleigh Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 5EGDate:22 November 2009
Time: 2-5pm
I did this last year as well and it was great fun, very festive, such a lovely school and excellently organised.

A Gift and Craft Fair held in aid of WHIZZ Kidz
Date: 29 November 2009
Time: 11-3pm
Venue: Colman Redland Centre, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0NA.
Whizz-Kidz is a charity about giving disabled children the chance to lead a more independent life. Their service meets the individual mobility needs and ensures that the child gets the right mobility equipment, advice and training at the right time. There will be 30 stalls offering a wide range of gifts for the whole family.

Newham Hospital Christmas Fair
Date: 02 Dec 2009
Time: 03pm - 7pm

Venue: Newham General Hospital, Glen Road Plaistow

London, E13 8SL

Misty Moon Arts and Crafts Fair
Date: 20th December 2009
Venue: The Honor Oak, 1 St German's Rd SE23 1RH
Time: 1.00pm to 6 pm

My Chameleon is pulling a tongue

I have been asked to make some more glass animals (including a gecko) for a fair I am doing. I love African animals so I went ahead with a chameleon and an elephant.
Here is a view before they went in the kiln. Sorry the photo's are not great as I took them quickly (and without obvious due care) before popping them in to fire.
Unfortunately some glass slipped on the elephant and it now has a bizarre headdress and looks more like a circus elephant so I can't show him until he has been 'modified'.
The chameleon is in better shape. I was going to put him in the kiln again, to rectify this issue but then I had second thoughts and am not sure if he needs any work? He is really chunky and tactile and has more character than if I made him all smooth but it's your opinion I need and will value.
What do you think? All thoughts, comments, criticisms, opinions welcome!

Haiti needs help

There are so many people and places in desperate need of help but I heard about the Haiti appeal and thought it would be an opportunity to help even though in such a small way.

I knew the appeal would attract many items 'for the ladies' so I offered something for men.

These cufflinks are OOAK made of black opal glass. They have puzzle shapes in fine silver fused to them. Fine silver needs to be at a higher temperature than glass to achieve its strength and these cufflinks along with some other fine silver work were in the kiln for 30 mins at 850 deg C.


Read more about the Haiti Appeal, that I found out about from Maygreen Fairies, here

PMC first attempts..... in at the deep end

There are many beautiful things made by clever and artistic people using PMC Clay.
I also enjoy learning new skills so I put myself on a PMC course. One of my biggest downfalls is that I am interested in so many different crafts that I never really concentrate on one. The exception to this has been glass, it is one craft that I have really stuck to over a few years now and still get a thrill creating lovely glass items.
However PMC has caught my attention and I have loads of ideas milling about. I have to acquire sufficient tools of the trade though and I am going to need to involve the Assay Office if I want to sell anything over 7.9g.
If there is any business to be in, it is that of the Assay Office - they are the only official method of getting your work stamped and prices are not for the faint hearted!
With all this in mind I also have a specific area I wish to work in and that is creating jewellery with Biblical blessings written in Hebrew.
So this is the task I set myself....... to make PMC dress rings, in a foreign language with 'stand out' writing rather than impressed characters. It really should be called 'How to jump in at the very deep end'.
The task is achievable if you have already mastered PMC and are able to make photopolymer plates, but as a beginner it is probably a step too far.
Nevertheless I am undeterred and this remains a goal. However I am going to start with pendants, earrings and cufflinks for which I have loads of ideas.
Here are my first attempts......
The one on the left I didn't make but did create the photopolymer plate with the blessing on it - I am really impressed with how fine the writing has turned out. A ring like this with detailed sides could be oxidised to really show up the lettering.
On the right is my work, it is much more chunky and heavy although will need to be bashed to make more even edges and of course they both need to be tumbled to be super shiny!

More blog candy from Murano Silver!

Again while reading my blogroll I saw a must have giveaway. I want this book!
I am already a huge fan of her work and on Facebook etc so I am doing my best to win with the entry chances left.
I have been on 2 courses with Nicola, one to learn PMC and one about making photo polymer plates - I now know the plates are easy to ruin and I need to cut my nails!
I could have gone on a course closer to home but I admire Nicola's work, she is also an excellent teacher, very generous with her knowledge and time.
Winning would be cool but having fab books on PMC would be excellent!
For your chance to enter please visit murano silver