AA2A Scheme at University of Sunderland

I started on my AA2A placement last week at the National Glass Centre where the ceramic and glass departments are based for the University of Sunderland (the view from outside the centre looking over the Wear...an unexpected bonus of this scheme is that it gets you out of your own studio and looking at new scenery, the bright sunny day helped too).


I didn't get as much work ready before hand as work is taking longer than expected on other projects (always the way) but managed one large powder based blank, though unfortunately I managed to break off a corner. The yellow, white and grey combinations are really working well at the moment and I'm especially enjoying working on both sides with layers of powders and building three dimensional designs (thinking ahead for when this piece gets slumped into a vessel).As this was going to be one of the biggest vessels I've made (the reason I applied to the scheme was for access to larger kilns) I thought it was safer not to slump this piece as it probably didn't have enough glass to keep it safe on the rim. I took a few other pieces with me and just got the feel of the place instead.

I felt a bit like a kid at school for the first time, as I kept going the wrong way to find the coldworking room and didn't know many people. But everyone has been so friendly and managed to meet one of the other glass artists on the scheme Kateriin Rikken, who was over from Estonia for a 2 week block making great use of the water jet cutter.


Using a very lovely, huge Kilncare casting kiln for a big slump (and remember kids a watched kiln never slumps!!)I soon realised I needed to get the firing on earlier in the day as I was still looking at the drop at 8.45pm (one of the benefits of working at home is that I can go and look at the kiln whenever the firing schedule dictates). I'd like to get several firings on my next visit so need to be ready to go in the morning. Currently making some very large moulds to utilise the large kilns.

Whilst there this time I did a quick session with some of the current BA and MA students. Here they are setting up a big kiln with 12 small drops (I've yet to find out how these came out, as I gave them a suggested firing schedule and left to come back home!)....fingers crossed.


I came home very enthused about working big and the chance I have to work at Sunderland, meeting with fellow glass artists, Inge Panneels (my mentor whilst on the scheme and also my fellow Creative Business Advocate for Craft in the Borders), Professor Kevin Petrie (Glass and Ceramics Team Leader), Jeffrey Sarmiento, James Maskrey and Cate Watkinson.

Our very own moat!

 Without even asking or spending the tax payers money we seem to have acquired our very own moat!! Nice digger, wish that could have stayed a little longer.

I really hate mud....

Spring Fling Taster Exhibition 2012

2012 sees us celebrating 10 years of the Spring Fling Open Studio event and also celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee over the spring bank holiday 2-5 June. Each participant has to put work into the two taster exhibitions taking part in Dumfries and Stranraer (more info below). This event, over the last 5 years, has helped me establish my business in the region (after re-locating here from London 6 years ago) and I have made many new friends as a participant and as a director on the Organising committee for a year or so. This year I wanted to make a piece that comprised all I have learnt in that time in my glass work and also along with the ethos of the event, produce work as sustainable as possible in this medium.


Each of my vessels I make I create fused 'blanks' to then go in the kiln to form the shape. I cut off 4 squares of clear glass during this process which go into a large tub 'to be used later'. I've been collecting these for the last few years and thought it was about time I created some space by using them. I cast many clear glass scrap open face casts with these scraps, making then thick enough to slump a bowl on which I could then engrave quite deeply.


Using all the processes I do in my coloured gallery work - flat bed diamond grinding, diamond wheel engraving and sandblasting I have created these two vessels for the exhibition titled 'Diamonds are Forever'.

From the Spring Fling Website:


Spring Fling 2012 Taster Exhibition will be opened by Joan McAlpine MSP on the 2nd of March 6pm at Gracefield Arts Centre. All are welcome to attend the opening evening of the exhibition and enjoy a unique opportunity to preview and purchase the work of 76 artists, makers and designers.


The evening also features:
The opening of the Spring Fling 10 Year Retrospective Exhibition; 
The official launch of Spring Fling brochure;  
The unveiling of the brand new Spring Fling Smart Phone App;  
The unveiling of the newly developed Spring Fling On-line Shop.


Exhibition continues: 3 March - 12 April in Gracefield Arts Centre & 21 April - 19 May in Stranraer Museum.


http://www.spring-fling.co.uk/index.php
https://twitter.com/#!/spring_fling
http://www.facebook.com/springflingopenstudios

Craft & Design Magazine Selected Awards

After quite a few years with the same image on the site of the Craft & Design Magazine, I've finally updated my profile and added new images just in time to be part of the Craft & Design Selected Awards.

Here is the link to my page and from there you can vote for any of the artists taking part http://www.craftmaker.co.uk/amandasimmons/

Also highly recommended:

http://www.craftmaker.co.uk/hannahmcandrew/ 

slipware potter extraordinaire

http://www.craftmaker.co.uk/adambooth/ one of the best blacksmiths in the world TM

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.