Artweeks, Finger Prints and workshops....

Wow! Doesn't time fly when your busy!! I've had the most fabulous few weeks. Artweeks went really well this year. We got the exhibition up and running in time for our private view on Friday 8th May - Thank you to everyone that came along. I think at our peek we must have had about 30 people watching demos, browsing our range of materials and tools and enjoying the exhibition. I was pleased with how it all looked - I took a gardening theme that worked really well. I bought some artificial lawn to use as the background - the silver and lampwork beads looked great against it.

Harry before the mayhem of organising Artweeks Private View

Ohh thats nice.....

Kay was demonstrating on how to make lampwork beads

Lucy was demonstrating Precious Metal Clay

We had a great response to the possibility of Lampworking classes. I can't wait to get my stock room sorted out to accomodate the class!!

I've been asked to do a few commissions recently using the finger printing technique on Precious Metal Clay. This is a pair of cufflinks that Lucy asked me to do with her thumb print on.....she gave them to her now husband on their wedding day!! As you can see the date has been inscribed on the back. I've used liver of sulpur to oxidise the print then buff back to highlight the print.

I also did a bracelet for David to give to his wife who gave birth to little Oscar. The finger print is Davids but when baby is old enough and his finger print defined enough we're going to do his too. To make the bracelet even more 'charmy' I added a few baby charms. I've called it Mummy's Baby Bracelet.

Though you might like to see some jewellery made on a Beads & Wire workshop I ran for Adult Learning in Chipping Norton. These were all complete beginners - we had a lovely day and fabulous results.

Last but not least I'd like you to meet my new neice.....Gladys Parthenope Flittersnoop!! Isn't she adorable. She's an 8 week old Pug puppy getting bigger my the day. Tomorrow Harry and Gladys will meet - I'll be sure to take lots of photo's and post the best ones for you.

Peyote Beads and......We have a Winner!!!!!!

I wanted to show you what we've been making today on a workshop that Kay's been running.......Peyote Beads!!! Aren't they beautiful. I'd like to make more and make a fabulously long necklace....trouble is they take a little while to make although the results are so beautiful. We used delicas, crystals, fireline and patience to create this little gems.

We also have a winner for the lucky blog follower........Kez! Kez or Kerry as she's also known is currently on one of my courses so I will be delivering this to you next week - well done Kerry!!!!!! You've won one of our new Beaded bead kits.....hope you enjoy it!!!