• General

    Last Minute Makes!

    Quite a few people have been asking me for workshops this autumn and winter, but the studio having a makeover, as well as a shiny new kiln to fire all my lovely students work in (and occasionally, some of mine!) – so with that, and other busy times in my world, I’ve been off the radar a little bit.

    Unfortunately, the ‘re-model’ (that sounds a bit posh) hasn’t gone according to plan, and I am still waiting for some of my bespoke furniture units, so I don’t feel it’s suitable for a full fusing class just yet.

    However, as a last minute dash I am doing some quick taster workshops next Sunday, 17th December, where you can make either a couple of decorations or sun-catcher – which you might want for yourself, or to give as a unique gift.

    I’ll be doing two sessions which will both last for a couple of hours – 10.30am and 1.30pm start.  There might be mince pies and mulled wine (non-alcoholic – we are working with glass after all!) and if you haven’t heard enough of them in the shops already, we’ll put on some seasonal sounds.  We will be toasty warm, as I will have to new wood-burning heater going too (it’s a bit loud sometimes, earplugs optional!)

    For this class, there won’t be any glass cutting – you will have clear glass blanks to work with, and can get your hands on my vast assortment of accessory glass to decorate them with.  Please be aware you will be working with (what I call) raw edge glass – it’s been cut, but not rounded off.  The class IS suitable for younger people, but any children must work alongside a responsible adult whilst they’re making.

    The cost of the class is £10 and you can make three decorations or a sun-catcher.  There will be an opportunity to make more pieces during the session for a small additional charge.

    The pieces will go in the kiln during the sessions, which will be fired up at the end of the day, so everything should be ready for collection late on Monday onward.

    As it’s so last minute, I won’t be putting this as an option to buy via the website, so if you want to book on, please contact me via the contact form or you can call or text me on 07971 423335.

    Here’s my new kiln (still needing a name!) and some other students work ready to fire

    IMG_5161 IMG_5334

  • General

    I’ve been a busy bee!

    I’ve not written a new post in ages.  I’ve been kinda busy.

    As well as the IFG at Stourbridge, which was most excellent (and cool to see my work exhibited in two locations), I spent most of the six weeks school holidays running Getting Creative Kids workshops – I will post a few images of some of the fun things we did another day.

    But I’ve run a lot of fusing classes recently, both in the studio, and ‘out on location’ at various venues.  The studio is now having a ‘makeover’ – quite a bit of re-organisation both to make a better teaching space, but also to make way for my new kiln – so I can run even MORE classes!

    So, ever wondered what sort of work people during a class?  Here’s some examples of recent work made by students, fired by me.   If these get your creative juices flowing and wanting to give it a go yourself, keep an eye on the blog, or join my mailing list – as soon as the kiln is installed and the space tidied, it will be all systems go for some more workshops.

    Meanwhile, eye candy!

    panel1 panel3 Student Coaster Set Student Panel 1 Student Panel 2

     

  • General

    Yay, it’s that time of year again – one more day to the IFG 2017

    Every two years, I get ridiculously excited about going to Stourbridge.  Not that there’s anything at all wrong with the West Midlands, but I look forward to this weekend for WELL over a year .  It does seem a bit silly!  But it only happens every two years, so I have to wait such a long time between each one.  It’s the International Festival of Glass, happening over the bank holiday weekend. It is four glorious days of glass, more glass and glass related things!  Spread over several locations up and down the main road in Stourbridge, there are lots of things to see and do.  Centre stage is the Glass Bienale, with internationally renowned artists showing some amazing works of glass art.  But there are lots of other smaller exhibitions, open studios, performances, and there are always yummy cakes!

    This year, I am exhibiting as part of the Festival in two locations.  For the last three events, I’ve taken part in the Contemporary Glass Society exhibition – a collection of small, but perfectly formed pieces of glass from members.  They are all for sale, all with a theme.  This year, we celebrate 20th anniversary of the CGS. This is my piece for that show.

    Fizz Bang Wheee!Dawn Turner fireworks small

    I am also exhibiting at the Lace Guild.  They are also located in Stourbridge (busy town!).  They are open as part of the Festival of Glass with a an exhibition titled Through the Looking Glass.  Below is one of my submission pieces.  The show is a mixture of contemporary lace, traditional pieces and lace inspired glass art.  I’ve not seen how they have curated it, but I am really looking forward to how it’s all been put together.  Here’s one of the pieces I’ve sent to them.

    Through the Looking GlassIMG_4888If you get chance to go over to Stourbridge this weekend, it’s well worth a visit – maybe see you there!

     

  • Community Art,  General,  Workshops

    Finally Some New Workshops

    It’s taken me a while to plan these in – but I thought I better get some dates in the diary before I get fully booked up!

    A few dates listed below, which may get added to, or moved, depending on booking or requirements.

    The Introduction to Glass Fusing is a full day session (we usually start around 10/10.30am and finish around 4.30pm); on this, you’ll begin by learning to score and break glass safely, you will have an opportunity to practice with some plain window glass and put together a clear glass design.  We will then move on to using speciality art glass, designed for glass fusing in a vast array of colours – I will show you a few techniques and different ways to layer and assemble your glass designs.  All items will be fired after the session and we arrange a mutually convenient date for collection.  All tools, equipment and basic glass requirements are covered in your costs (if you wish to make something exceptionally large or using expensive glass, this can be arranged)

    The Glass Taster Session is shorter, approximately 2-3 hours – during this relaxed class, you don’t learn about cutting glass – you work with a clear glass blank and learn how to create a colourful sun-catcher or wall hanging by assembling your design from variety of mosaic sized pre-cut pieces or glass frit (granules).  You should be able to make a couple of smaller pieces during this session, or one larger panel.   Again, the pieces are fired, ready for collection at a later date.

    Group classes require a minimum of three people to book on them to go ahead, but won’t run with more than six.  If you have been given a voucher to use for a group workshop from either Craft Courses or one from Dawn Turner Designs, please contact me HERE to reserve a place on your chosen date.

    You don’t need to have a Paypal account to pay via the button below, you can also use a bank card, just check out as a guest.  The blank text box is if you can do one of the other dates listed, let me know, as it will make coordinating dates a little easier for me.

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