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Trail Blazing!
Well, if the last few days are anything to go by, it will be!
So, what am I blethering on about, you ask? This weekend, 27th & 28th June, I’ll be taking part in the very lovely Six Streets Arts Trail . (click highlighted text to go to the website)
I have been part of this event for the last four or five times now (it’s on every other year), and it’s a fabulous event. It is spread across a few streets in the Kedleston Road area of Derby. Visiting homes and venues to see a range of art, craft, sculpture and culture!
I do love a good arts trail – always a nice event to do, they’re a different vibe to an arts & crafts fair. They’re more social, I guess. As well as a chance to display work in lovely locations, it’s a chance to chat to folk having a leisurely walk round the neighbourhood, maybe a bit of networking. (I’ve picked up quite a few workshops from doing arts trails)
This year, I am back at 69 Wheeldon Avenue, with hostMary Johnson Ceramics, and Helen of Snazzy Linings. I am usually in the conservatory at the back of Mary’s, we’ll see whether I cook like a rotisserie!
This is one of the new pieces I’ve made recently that will be coming with me.
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Focus On Good Things
This morning, I had a little trip into Nottingham. I went to the Focus Gallery at the top of Derby Road, Canning Circus. I took along a *few* pieces to see which the lovely Antonia would like to display, and she chose them all!
I am very pleased, and very excited, to now be stocked by this gorgeous gallery. It’s been closed for a few weeks for much needed and very long overdue (and long promised) maintenance. They re-open this Wednesday. The overhaul looks great, Antonia and her staff, friends and family have done a brilliant job. Along with long standing artists and makers, they’ve brought in a great range of new creatives as well.
If you don’t know about the Focus Gallery, you’re missing a gem. Established in 1971, it’s Nottingham’s longest running independent gallery. You will find a wide range of cards, gifts, jewellery, art and much more – oh, and you can usually park right outside (metered parking on the street).
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Solo Exhibition
As part of my creative career to now, I’ve been part of several group or collaborative exhibitions, done a residency, created several pieces of site specific art work, regularly run fusing workshops as well as general arts and crafts with schools and community groups, I stock my work in galleries and have decided to dip my toe back in the world of craft/artisan markets again.
But soon, I will be doing probably the biggest ‘thing’ so far – I have a solo exhibition coming up! It’s both exciting, but also daunting, to think that I have to fill a whole gallery space by myself..
Now, I can’t say it will make the slightest bit of difference to my blogging practices, as once again I’ve been neglecting this! But the last few days have seen lots of planning, a bit of testing, and lots of asking questions and looking for opinions – yes, it’s MY exhibition, but I want to get it right!
It will be, shall we say, an eclectic mix – samples of older and some brand new work, both recycled and new glass, some more functional style pieces alongside purely decorative display work as well as the thought provoking response led work I did during the residency last year.
This time though, instead of a bit of work in the war gallery, I have the WHOLE room (did I say this was a solo show??) – the Lally Gallery at the lovely Erewash Museum in Ilkeston. And it’s on for nearly two months.
It’s an amazing opportunity to showcase my work, and also a chance for me to reflect on all I’ve learned and created, as well as to share a little bit of my knowledge of the world of glass.
The next three weeks will probably result in very little sleep, lots of fretting, and hopefully, no breakages! Wish me luck….
This is where it all began…. -
Forthcoming Events
Whoops, where does the time go? I should have been posting this ages ago, but I’ve been kinda busy getting ready for the said forthcoming events, as well as playing with the new laser cutter at the studio. The latter has not been as successful as I’d hoped, why does technology fail you when you need it most? Perhaps I should have made things a little sooner..
Anyways, busy weekend for me.
Saturday, I am at Southwell Methodist Church for “Handmade With Love” – a collection of around forty hand-picked, hand-made quality gift and food stands. Free to enter, it’s on 9.30 to 4.30, so an early start for me!
Sunday, I am at Deborah Williams Hair Dressing Salon in Stapleford, as they get ready to gear up for Christmas. A small selection of food and gift stands, come along for a warm welcome, and join us for a glass of Prosecco or a beer, and some very special offers.
Hopefully you’ll be able to make on or other of the events, or both! Meanwhile, here’s a sample below of this year’s new Christmas design, first time out this weekend and a new technique for me. I’ve made a range of colours of these, and hope to be able to also offer personalised Christmas decorations – what a fantastic gift idea!
