Dawn Turner Designs

Blimey folks, where does the time go?  What with updating Facebook, Instagram, TikTok (yes, for my sins I’ve signed up for that too!) this poor old blog gets neglected at times.

So, where are we at?  I see my last blog post was WAY back in October… since then, I did the October Facebook Live event, then one for Mother’s Day.

Workshops are back on!  At the moment, I am still mainly doing closed/private work, but do keep an eye out for some updates to my classes soon.  In person events are back on too!   In June, I am doing Six Streets Arts Trail, and the Hidden Valleys Arts Trail as part of OS Notts , so if you”re out and about at either of those, do come and say hello – it’s good to be back out and see people.

I have some big and very exciting news though.   I won a grant recently to help me make my business more sustainable.  Not specifically in an ‘eco’ way – although my investment will mean I can recycle and re-use every scrap of glass; but in the way of what else I can offer.

I am getting a Wazer desktop water-jet cutter!   A what now?

This will mean I can cut much more complex designs in my own art, as well as streamlining some of my product range for more efficiency.

I will be able to sell pre-cut shapes to other glass artists; and also be able to offer  bespoke cutting services.  I come from a glass background rather than a tech/cutting background;  this means I will have a deeper understanding of the material than some water-jet service providers can.

But Wazer can cut lots of materials!  I will be able to offer a service to other local small businesses for small scale cutting and prototyping

I’ve included a link to a quick demo video of Wazer from Solid Print 3D, who I have helped me with ordering process with lots of useful advice and insight – this clip shows it cutting metal, but it’s a similar process.

I cannot wait to get it set up and running and seeing what amazing shapes I can create.

I’ve got another Facebook Live coming up soon.  This one will be a mixture of seasonal decorations and giftware.  Watch the space for an update soon with a link.

I know, it’s still summer and far too soon to be thinking about Christmas… isn’t it?

Well, for us makers, we do have to think about it early.  Shops are looking for their stock, ready for the Autumn run up; so whilst everybody else is thinking about sun, sea and sangria (!), we’re thinking of Christmas designs.

Although I am nowhere near this organised, I know that some people like to start shopping early.  Some of you are already  putting bits aside.  So in a couple of weeks time, I will be doing Advent In August – a Facebook Live event to launch some new designs, as well as a reminder of some of the items in my collections.  This way, you can find unique and handmade gifts to show someone how much you care.

If you come and watch live on the evening, you will get entry into a prize draw for something special from me, plus there will be a bonus gift for anybody ordering during the event too.  If you haven’t watched a live event before, they’re usually good fun; especially watching me fluff my words!  You can ask questions or for a closer look at something.  You have the opportunity to ask questions.  It is a really easy way to do a bit of shopping, mask off, feet up on the sofa, drink of choice in hand!

Click through to the event, click going and then set the notifications to all to get reminders and updates.  Here’s the EVENT LINK 

If you follow me on Facebook, you might have already seen this.

In a couple of weeks time I will be doing my first live event of 2021.  If you didn’t manage to join on one of these last year, they’re quite good fun, especially if you want a good laugh at me fluffing my words a lot!  We can’t do face-to-face events yet, and actually we still can’t get out yet, but a Facebook Live is as near as you can get.

I stream live from my Facebook Page, and show and tell about some of my products.  The great thing is, unlike a photograph, I can move the object around, show you the texture, how it looks at different angles etc.   As it is live, you can ask questions via the chat which runs alongside, and I can answer your questions there and then.  Occasionally, technology throws us a curve ball, but that just adds to the fun and sometimes chaos.

I normally have some new products to show you, a special offer or two, and this time, anybody who joins me live gets a chance to enter a draw to win a prize, which I will draw the following day or so.  The theme this time is Mothering Sunday and I am holding the event just over three weeks before, to give me the chance to get orders made and out in good time.  Mother’s Day is 14th March, so it seems quite early.

Shop from the comfort of your armchair, in your PJs if you wish, and a glass or cuppa in hand – no need to go out!  And I can send items directly to the recipient, gift wrapped and card written for you too, just in case we cannot get out to see our loved ones for Mother’s Day.

I am also considering doing a taster session from home for Mother’s Day, where I would send out kits to make something, we would have a Zoom meeting on Mothers’ Day for me to show you how to make your glass goodies, then they’d come back to me for firing.  I’ve still got to work out the logistics of this, but if there’s enough interest, I’d be up for it, and what a lovely way to spend some virtual time with our loved ones doing something fun together.  I would love to know if you’d be interested

If you’d like to come along, here’s the link to the live event:

DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW?

Hope you can join me