Lovely pigeon

Posted on October 25, 2012 by debbiesshed

a ‘mat’ using water, very soft.

Had a day out to Pearson’s Glass in Liverpool to collect my painting samples, amongst other things. (I can never resist their ‘cullet’box. But also, always have wicked thoughts about tripping up one of their guys who happen to be carrying lovely sheet of glass, in order for it to end up in the ‘cullet’. Obviously I would never do this I hasten to add)…

I’m reasonably pleased with my samples but they really are just a ‘taster’.

A ‘mat’ using water and brown paint

Like with many things, you wish you had time to do more. Surprised by how much I like the enamels though. I somehow thought these were going to look like they were ‘sat’ on the glass but they  just ‘meld’ in…. all smooth and glossy.

Anyway, take a look. The guy at Pearsons thought my sandpiper was a lovely pigeon! I ask you!!!

A ‘mat’ using vinegar. Much harder to scrape away.

Green and red enamels on clear glass

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A ‘mitsake’

Posted on October 16, 2012 by debbiesshed

I made a mistake on my events listing. Please note that Craft Fair at Bentham is Friday 19th not Saturday 20th October. Events are now up to date and correct, I think!

Apologies for any inconvenience.

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Daniel Craig on my bench

Posted on October 14, 2012 by debbiesshed

Ummm, thought that might get your attention.

Picture me, idly grouting my gannet, wondering, “if I were a bird would I be a gannet………?” Then it came to me. I have got Daniel Craig on my bench; blonde hair; captivating blue eyes, to say nothing of his cute rear end in those little black trunks. You know where i am coming from and you must agree, both are extremely exciting to watch.…. Anyway enough about bird watching just check out the exotic locations that Daniel has taken me to.

A right royal flush at the casino

Attracting attention at the beach

Cute little trunks

Phew, that was exciting. Now for those that are interested, the glass used for my gannet is a handmade ‘ring-mottled uroboros’; check out the lovely subtle colour variations. He is made with a combination of copper-foiling and leadwork and is mounted on a piece of driftwood.

Dirty work with Daniel on the bench!

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Self-sufficient and content

Posted on October 10, 2012 by debbiesshed

OK, so that title may be a tad misleading. I mean, I don’t weave my own hens into jumpers and pickle all my  home grown veggies or anything but, I am proud to say that I don’t have to go too far to get most things that I need. My carbon footprint is quite wee. For instance today, I tootled along to Arnside, (a mere 4 miles) and visited my favourite second hand dress shop, ‘She Sells’,  picking up a virtually new pair of boots and a groovy little skirt. I found driftwood on the shoreline at the edge of the car park which looks promising for mounting my birds, and got timber to make an ‘A’ frame from nearby Travis Perkins. A great little trip, spoiled only by my orange light bleeping at me as I re-entered Silverdale which means I am going to have to exit this little AONB again soon in order to fill up with petrol!

But hey, I don’t want to sound too insular and ‘shed like’. Yesterday I got out all the way to Lancaster and delivered a ‘startled hare’ and ‘a great spotted wood pecker’ to two satisfied customers. Following are some pictures of said hare in the process of being made…..

Startled hares ready for grouting

Grouted….now needing a polish

Almost finished….

Startled Hare

And just so the woodpecker doesn’t feel left out, here’s a piccie of him too..

Great spotted woodpecker mounted on driftwood

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Twinkle-twinkle…….

Posted on October 5, 2012 by debbiesshed

Twinkle-twinkle little star,

Christmas can’t be very far.

Oh yes, look at my ‘Events’,

See I’m busy on my bench.

Twinkle-twinkle little star,

‘Craft Fairs’ coming, la-la-la.

A wintry palette of copper-foiled stars and (soon to be) bunting.

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Once upon a time………

Posted on October 1, 2012 by debbiesshed

Once upon a time I got a commission for a very special ‘Princess and the Pea’.

Let me give you a little bit of background. Dave likes to play with his metal detector and Chantel likes a long lie…….. The rest is documented here……

Check out the musket ball ‘pea’ and ancient timepiece

Once upon a time there was a handsome Prince called Dave. Prince Dave liked nothing more than to spend his time searching his kingdom for buried treasure.  All times of the day and night he was out there. He really was most anti-social.

Then one day along came Princess Chantel. “I can put up with your dastardly habits,” she said, “in return for spicy exotic treats and a comfy bed”

“Are you for real” said Prince Dave.

“I am for real,” said Princess Chantel, “I am your one true Princess”.

Prince Dave was delighted.  All times of the day and night he would go out hunting and Princess Chantel was as good as her word. She just slept through everything! Even with all the eyes of the kingdom upon her, time passed and she just slept… and slept and slept…

……….and they both lived happily ever after.

The end.

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Itching to get scratching

Posted on September 29, 2012 by debbiesshed

As part of my commitment to my business plan and my on-going professional development I attended a ‘Glass Painting Course’ at Pearsons Glass in Liverpool. (Yeah, blah-blah.  Really, I just wanted to go!)

I had touched a bit on painting when doing my night class some years ago and I had really enjoyed it. The detail and texture that you can add using fired vitreous paints adds another dimension to your work that really appeals to me.

Our instructor for the day was called Cat and she was great; really informative but down to earth. We got down to the practical almost straightaway, mixing paints and applying. We applied ‘outline’ to a cherry design which then went in the kiln and then we got to dabble with shading techniques whilst this was ‘cooking’.  I enjoyed practicing matting techniques, where apparently it is ‘all in the elbow’ using a large badger brush to create an even, flat mat. You can then work on your ‘mat’ with a variety of techniques. As I wanted to explore how I could enhance my existing practice I messed about with feather plumage. Using a scgraffito technique you can scrape away the mat using wooden sticks or ‘scrubber’ brushes; fascinating and addictive. I wolfed down my lunch as I was itching to get back scratching!

With our ‘cherry outline’ fired it was now time to mess about with enamels. These come in a variety of colours and can be mixed, blended and applied in a similar way to the vitreous paints. I shaded my cherries with ruby red enamel and then messed about with a mix of red and greens to produce some ‘apple wallpaper.’  Unfortunately, (with firing times etc.)  I was unable to bring away my work, but watch this space for photos in the future.

What a great day though and I look forward to seeing my samples.

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Procrastinating over wasp nest (my very first post!)

Posted on September 25, 2012 by debbiesshed

I have given up my part time job as teaching assistant at the local primary school, (my eldest likes to say that I am un-employed, I prefer to call it self-employed), my two sons are at high school, I have many outstanding orders for my ‘glassy’ works of art and I really should head to my shed.

But first, I should clean up. This utility room is a tip. A tidy house makes a tidy mind and I’m sure I’ll work much better when it’s done. What a big pile of stuff I have accumulated for the ‘Thrift Shop’.  But worthwhile, and I managed to get rid of a bike. A painter friend just dropped in for a brew, (someone else having trouble getting pack to the studio? I might have asked) and the bike will be perfect for his daughter. Honestly, cup of tea, I really should have been working.

 The following day I worked. I took all my stuff up the Thrift Shop. Picked up another pal along the way on the promise of tea and home-baking, (I am not the only one easily distracted) and spent a great morning discussing how much work we all had to do over a huge slab of lemon drizzle cake. I came back with slightly less than I went with but the embroidery thread and huge roll of red wall paper should come in handy.

Now I really would have been in my shed by now but I have discovered a leak over my work bench and it really should be investigated before I begin. Nothing was evident up on the roof. I have a very beautiful grass roof and it all looked very sound and dry from above.  I know, let’s investigate from within I thought. Yikes, I removed the ceiling panel, pulled down the lambs-wool insulation only to be attacked by a swarm of wasps. Get outta there!

So I made space in my utility room, (good job I had tidied it up), and got lots of work done. Meanwhile, Steve the gardener came and zapped my wasp nest and I waited patiently for wasps to move out.

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