One World One Heart blog giveaway!

This is one of those ideas that makes you (or perhaps just me) think 'I wish I had thought of that!'

I did this last year and got to see some amazing work from a variety of artists that that I would never otherwise have stumbled across.
It is a friendly, warm fuzzy event and I am very happy to take part again this year.
Although I am starting later than I should I am going to have the best time looking through the wonderful array of work on show.
Thank you Lisa Swifka for such a fabulous opportunity.

There is still time to get involved, click on the banner to find out how - just make sure you do it before 08Feb!

The draw takes place on 15 February 2010, I will publish the winners on my blog, be sure to leave me a means to contact you.
Last year my winner was in USA and was thrilled as she said she had not won anything before.

Last but by no means least - here are my giveaways!
Prize 1 - Cute glass 'Rock chick' tile pendant with chain. if you don't fancy this pic I can send you a glass tile, chain and bail and you can make your own! All my glass tiles are handcut and gently heated in the kiln by me to get lovely rounded edges.


Prize 2 - OOAK Pretty pink, crinkle dichroic 'handbag' brooch, great on a coat, bag or hang from a chain as a pendant!


Prize 3 - Abstract dichroic glass pendant

No strings, just let me know in your comment which one of the 3 prizes you would like to win.
I hope you enjoy visiting my blog, you are very welcome to pop back any time.
Take care xxx

Love is in the air - Valentine's Day is on it's way!

I love hearts, they are my favourite shape and I include them where ever I can.
My cat is called Valentine although he is round and fluffy and not heart shaped at all! He was my 2008 Valentine gift and I adore him, much preferred to an expensive bunch of roses that wilt in a week.

Below were commissions. It was the first time I have done anything like that and writing with liquid glass is tricky but I had fun working on them.
Anyway, I was thinking they would be a lovely way to declare your love for that special someone at any time of the year. But for those who avoid schmaltzy red hearts they are still very romantic.

Colours and initials to suit, presented in a gift box.

For her



For him


I captured a shot of this couple in our garden. Unfortunately my lens was focussed on him when she came into sight so her face is a bit blurred. Such a pity as she is really nervous and was only there for a second. I only ever see her late at night.
I am hoping they will bring their babies to visit in due course.

I know not everyone likes foxes but I love all wildlife and these two are beautiful and happily mange free so I am hoping healthy cubs will follow.

Put that in your Pipe!

As is always the way the boiler stopped working in this freezing weather! I panicked, the only thing to do in dire circumstances of course, and called OH to the rescue, he got it started again but shortly thereafter it cut out. It is a good quality system and only a year old so we called in further assistance. It turns out that the 32mm pipe that drains away the condensed water had frozen solid! Here is just a small piece of what came out of the pipe once the high tech solution was applied (hairdryer)

 

Some new makes

It's such a busy time of year and I have been manic too but here are some of my makes - hope you like them xx










Happy Chanukah

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