Merry Midwinter and the last work of 2011

Recently finished new work and the first glass to come from my residency at North Lands Creative Glass. It's a starting point, getting bigger with free-form hand cut suspension moulds (and all the challenges of coldworking larger vessels, ones that have outgrown my diamond flat bed grinder.....I see wet belt sander envy coming soon). At least I will have chance to work with one when I get to Sunderland on the AA2A scheme....weather, bad health and living on a building site still, all got in the way of me getting there before the winter break.

The large piece above is the first Buoy Boy.... I love this shape and have many more planned, working with mainly powder construction with a coarse frit base. I am so glad I challenged my colour use in winter last year as I've got over using colours I thought I didn't like.....and now actually quite loving the bold warmer spectrum (even coming into some of my dreams of colour in the new kitchen circa 2012). Great to see the Pantone colour of 2012 is bright orange.

Below is 21 Causeymire.....again powder construction for these small vessels (21 in total to mirror the number of turbines at the Causeymire Wind Turbine site in Caithness). Whilst staying at North Lands in 2008 and this September I visited the turbines almost everyday (also the surrounding country side, the views coming back from inland towards the sea are stunning and quite addictive whatever the weather).

Printing results

 Printing course with Silvana Mclean finished last week (missed it this week as such a lovely way to spend a Wednesday morning). The wonderful snowflake cards below are by Karen Menarry who was on the course as well, although she has been printing for a while.

My first proper print, not being a great Christmas fan I wanted to make Winter Solstice cards instead, although think the image came out more flower-like. A very quick cut into fake lino and some graduated colours taken from Karen s plate. Hoping to get more done over the winter break....as well as getting the kitchen finished, essential workshop maintenance and some very well earned hibernation!

Corsock Crafts Fun

Great day in Corsock on Sunday, so many visitors despite the snow..... Hannah McAndrew setting up above and Christine Hester Smith playing with the lemurs below. Bought a wonderful corset from Bedlam Boudoir!

Corsock Crafts this Sunday....

This Sunday, December 4th, I'll be having my yearly Winter Sale at Corsock Crafts in Corsock Village Hall (postcode.....DG7 3DN) 11am til 4pm run by Corsock Events. Lots to see and plenty of affordable quality Crafts for seasonal gifts, including my pal Hannah McAndrew, International Potter.

Baking Belle

'Baking Belle' Limited edition hanging decorations for Contemporary Applied Arts 'Present Collectables' exhibition on until 7 January.

Recycled Glass

Recycled bottles - cut, engraved and sandblasted, available at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries.

Playing in the light

I attended my first welding course Monday at The Barony College near Dumfries (a 6 week intro course mainly looking at 'stick' Arc , MIG and TIG welding). I think I'm there really just to get a better idea of how it works as I don't expect to get very good going on my first welds.Also to be able to talk to a good welder in terms they understand to build fittings and fixtures for me (but do hope I can make something in 6 weeks, even if it's fixing the poor wheelbarrow that has done hundreds of trips full of rubble this last month).

Not anywhere near final designs but just starting points for my 'reflectors' (one of 3 or 4 ideas coming along nicely from the residency at North Lands).

Sample Making