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More Workshop News
Well, it’s been a busy couple of weeks, making stock for selling events, and preparing for classes. Yesterday’s workshop was a sell-out, and so is Saturday 3rd December. There are still a couple of spaces left on “Don’t Panic”.
I’ve been teaching in the studio, and at other venues – workshops are now on the road! Yes, as well as coming to the studio to learn all about glass fusing, whether on a full days workshop, or to try a taster session, I can now bring the classroom to you.
This will be restricted more to ‘taster’ style workshops, by which I mean, the session will not including learning to score and break glass, and is less intensive on the technical side. But you get to spend more time spent being creative!
It also means I can run the workshops for bigger groups if you have the space; it can work for a much wider age range; people with dexterity or hand strength issues can do the taster sessions, as indeed those with mobility issues – cutting glass can be physically tiring and is often better to be standing up whilst you’re learning the basics. In addition, there is limited space in the studio, and access is not the best, so this could work for disability groups in spaces more suitable for their needs. Perhaps a support group, where the participants prefer to be in familiar surroundings. Whilst the studio has good transport links, not everybody can easily travel, but I can come to you, and I can also fit in with your regular meetings or sessions.
Please get in touch if you would like to know more.
These images below are some of the results from a recent “on-the-road” workshop, that was so popular, they have asked me to go back again this week.
Lets get more people being creative, everybody who’s been doing these workshops keeps telling me how much they enjoy them. -
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!
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New Workshop Dates – Get Booking!
Finally, I’ve managed to arrange some dates for forthcoming workshops.
If there’s a workshop you’d like to do, but cannot do the planned sessions, please get in touch, as there might be a few of you wanting an alternative date – so long as we can get the numbers, and I am available, I am happy to work with you on this.
I’ve tried to plan in a mix of dates, my new taster sessions are proving really popular, but I’ve had a lot of requests for the full fusing days too. Of course, we cannot ignore a forthcoming in December, so with that in mind, I’ve also planned in a Christmas decoration session. And if you’re struggling to find a unique present, and feel like you’re running out of time, there is the DON’T PANIC session in December, where there’s just enough time to make something special. Details below.
Introduction to Glass Fusing (SORRY, SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER IS NOW FULLY BOOKED) – during a glass fusing day, I will introduce you to the world of fused glass. We get stuck in early with learning how to cut glass during the first part of the morning, practicing your skills with plain window glass – many students like to make a something like a wall hanging or panel from the shapes they’ve cut. Once everybody is comfortable with this, we move on to using coloured art glass, and I will show you a variety of methods for creating your own unique pieces by using layering techniques, inclusions, frit and more. All materials, tools and equipment are provided, including access to Dawn’s vast array of glass! You’ll get the chance to make a some small pieces, along with perhaps a small window hanging, free-standing panel or coaster or two. The day lasts around six hours or so, and does require an element of hand-strength and dexterity for the cutting. Suitable for all adults, and possibly mid-teenagers by arrangement. Work to be fired after the day, ready to be collected at a later date.
Half Term Fun – a recent addition to my range of sessions, during this short workshop, you will get a chance to make a sun-catcher/colour stick or postcard sized wall hanging. No glass cutting required, all items will be ready cut, but you choose your designs, and will decorate your blank with a variety of coloured glass pieces. Suitable for a much wider age range, or people with hand strength/dexterity issues. Why not bring along your young ones and make something together? Charge is per item, not per person, although adults must stay and help/supervise. The session allows around two hours, but many people make something in a shorter time, depending on complexity of design, or if they’ve made their mind up! Work will be fired after the session to be collected at a later date.
Make Your Own Christmas Decorations (SORRY NOW SOLD OUT) – similar to the glass fusing day, you will start off my learning to cut glass – but we will restrict to cutting simple shapes and straight lines, so should be able to move on to the good stuff quicker. As in the introduction to glass fusing day, I will then explain and demonstrate a variety of techniques for you to use on your own designs. The workshop will last around four hours, and provides enough material and kiln space to make 8 or 9 decorations each. I will make sure the work goes into the kiln quickly so you will get it back in good time to hang on your tree or give as a gift.
Don’t Panic! If you’re anything like me, you sometimes find it hard to find the right present, and all of a sudden, you’ve left it rather late to shop for a unique gift! Why not make your own? There can’t be anything more special and thoughtful than something you have made yourself. I’ve planned this in for an a weekday early evening, the session is planned for up to two hours, although many people will make their item quicker than this. Similar to the half term fun, you won’t need to learn to cut glass, only clean it, design it and decorate it using my vast array of colours to make a sun-catcher or wall panel from a pre-cut glass blank. Work will go into the kiln straight after the session so it will be ready in plenty of time to go under the tree.
Samples of work make in previous sessions
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Open studios, workshops & brand new festival!
Hmm, so now I know why I should post more often – so I don’t have to remember several things at once! Now I’ve got open studios to plan for, fit in a workshop and get ready for a Sunday event, all in the same weekend.
I couple of weeks ago, I trialled a new workshop with a lovely lady, Michaela, and her family. I met Kayla a few weeks before when she and her friend came along to a glass fusing day, and when collecting the work, we talked about the different types of sessions I was planning. One of which is a short class where students wouldn’t have to learn to cut glass, they’d be assembling from pre-cut pieces, so Kayla offered to be a guinea pig for me!
She and her daughters made some fabulous pieces on this three hour workshop – my rubbish photographs below don’t do the work justice – and it went down very well, so there will be more soon. These shorter sessions should appeal on many levels – for those with less time, or those who are hesitant or feel really nervous about cutting glass; for younger people, or those with hand strength issues. It’s a more cost effective way of learning about some key glass fusing techniques before committing to a full day – you will have more understanding of what you could achieve.
I’ll be publishing more dates soon, but meanwhile, on Saturday 17th, I’m taking part in the Shed 2 Studios September Social, which is part of a wider event in Erewash, Creative 10 Celebrations. Come along for cake, a cuppa a chat and of course, a nosy round. We’re open from 11am to 5pm but before that, I am doing an Early Bird Workshop – Glass Fusing Taster Session, only £15 – make your own sun-catcher/colour stick. No glass cutting required, all items will be ready cut, but you choose your designs. It runs from 9am to 11am, then you’re welcome to stay and look around the Open Studios afterwards.
Booking is essential, which you can do here (you don’t need a Paypal account, you can pay with a debit or credit card as well). If you need any more info, get in touch on the contact page.
And finally, as if a workshop and an open studio isn’t enough, on the Sunday 18th September, I am taking part in the first ever Duffield Arts Festival – I’ll be displaying some of my glasswork, along side about 15 other artists and makers in Ecclesbourne School. This is one of many venues with lots going on over the weekend, from craft shows to workshops, art, live music, food and of course, a scarecrow trail!
