Monday 25 February 2013

You never know what is around the corner...

... a few months back I went to my daughters university to have a dress fitting.  She is in her final year of a costume design degree course and I am to model one of her degree show outfits.  Now that in itself was exciting enough for me, its such a cool place with aged tailors dummies draped with costumes from every era you can think of, such a creative environment.  As her lecturer was talking her through what needed to be done next and discussing decorative finishes he noticed my bracelet and commented on it.  He then recalled Jessica telling him about having a Mum who made glass beads and jewellery, well before I knew it I was agreeing to run a one day wire-work workshop!

The workshop was on Friday, I was so excited.  I have been a primary teacher for the last thirteen years, but this was the first time I'd taught adults - I loved it!

None of the students had done any wire-work before and I think you'll agree they did a very good job!  The students choose lampwork beads from my stash of odds and orphans and every single one looked fab!  I also gave a lampworking demo.  I have the bug and now and can't wait to deliver my two day lampworking and wire-work workshop 'Beads to Bracelets' at Tuffnells.
http://www.tuffnellglass.com/contents/en-uk/d143_Beads_to_Bracelets_-_Two_Day_Course.html

The March class sold out so they asked me to do another Aug 31st/1st Sep.




Monday 4 February 2013

Totally Twisted!


Its strange how sometimes things just seem to evolve.  I had a glassy friend over for a cup of coffee and as we sat talking and stroking glass beads I picked up some of the copper wire that was lying around (I had intended to make some jewellery up - okay, okay I admit it, I'm just untidy) and started to play.




My friend had admired the necklace I was wearing and asked about the small copper twisted connector bead on it.  It was as we were looking at this that I decided - why not elongate it and turn it into a setting for a lampwork focal?  The results were rather pleasing.  Needless to say I got a little carried away and made up several.