tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22471001207383352232024-03-13T03:21:11.614+00:00Helen Rose GlassBeautiful glass giftsHelen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-79761223434339855532012-06-20T11:46:00.001+01:002012-06-20T11:46:49.586+01:00Freshly baked glassIt's feels like the kiln has been going non stop for days and these are the latest fused glass brooches to come out of it. I'm fully embracing the vintage style that is popular at the moment. The brooches only started out as testers for the cake stands I've made, however as they've been so popular I've made lots more and this time I've done some earring and pendant sets too.<br />
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Right now the kiln is on again with cake stands slumping into their molds. I'll take some pictures and show you these tomorrow before I take them to Handmade High St in colchester. <br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Pn2XGs9RYJc/T-GqFwVJERI/AAAAAAAAASo/PBcAzRSNpiU/s640/blogger-image--2044214070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Pn2XGs9RYJc/T-GqFwVJERI/AAAAAAAAASo/PBcAzRSNpiU/s640/blogger-image--2044214070.jpg" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-48020708049709797972012-06-13T13:21:00.000+01:002012-06-13T13:21:18.950+01:00Cast Glass sculptures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a project I started weeks ago only to, frustratingly, run out of plaster in order to finish it...don't you hate it when that kind of thing happens? You are on a roll and then BAM! you run out of the essential material you need.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So my plan for this years Maldon Arts Trail is to create a body of seaside themed work in a range of glass techniques. I have already made a copper foiled piece of 2 sailing boats and another copper foiled piece that includes seashell printed sections. To go with these I am making miniature glass sculptures using glass casting techniques and this is what I started and was then forced to stop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last week my order of plaster arrived and since then I've been waiting for a rain free day where I could get out into the garden and make my moulds. I prefer to do them in the garden as I can make as much mess as I like and not have to spend ages clearing it all away....especially with all this rain we are getting which has its advantages for washing mess away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F-Cxj8CYEVU/T9iCLypo_6I/AAAAAAAAASQ/NmIH1Nm4Q48/s1600/DSCN1130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F-Cxj8CYEVU/T9iCLypo_6I/AAAAAAAAASQ/NmIH1Nm4Q48/s320/DSCN1130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">With the models laid out in the tubs I quickly mixed the plaster, and seriously depleted my stock of it in 1 foul swoop. I carefully poured the plaster into the tubs and then spent a while knocking and shaking them to remove as many air bubbles as possible. Then comes waiting for it to set which takes about 30mins before you can take it out of the tub. The fiddly bit it removing the model but this is what you are left with....a mould all ready to dry out, have glass put into it and then go into the kiln. I'll leave that til next week though so that the moulds are properly dried out.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_AIDRfRrl4/T9iCkkTmGiI/AAAAAAAAASY/gDapZH07T5U/s1600/DSCN1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_AIDRfRrl4/T9iCkkTmGiI/AAAAAAAAASY/gDapZH07T5U/s320/DSCN1136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-58258984253147771272012-06-12T12:40:00.001+01:002012-06-12T12:40:26.254+01:00The reveal...So here it is....the image that is hidden in the glass picture in the previous post. <br />
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I'm not sure what I'll do with it from here but that doesn't matter at this stage, it's all about the experimentation :)<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pJKj9mQ5hbA/T9cqpzBgnvI/AAAAAAAAARk/Rx-C4ZNry8c/s640/blogger-image-1365050894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pJKj9mQ5hbA/T9cqpzBgnvI/AAAAAAAAARk/Rx-C4ZNry8c/s640/blogger-image-1365050894.jpg" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-85669981424867712152012-06-11T22:45:00.001+01:002012-06-11T22:45:41.918+01:00Results....Ok here's a little tease for you all.....<br />
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This is fresh out of the kiln this eve but it's a picture in disguise. I'll give you a little clue.... It's a well known person.<br />
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Answers on a postcard please.... Or just comment below<br />
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All will be revealed tomorrow :)<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MHzsFOY8gXQ/T9ZnA02fxCI/AAAAAAAAARY/VdMKU1CiOAI/s640/blogger-image-1660826231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MHzsFOY8gXQ/T9ZnA02fxCI/AAAAAAAAARY/VdMKU1CiOAI/s640/blogger-image-1660826231.jpg" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-4832808576049479982012-06-11T21:39:00.001+01:002012-06-11T21:39:53.226+01:00Will or won't miss, which is which?At times like this there are many mixed feelings going around in my head about school. <br />
Some things I know I'll miss...my tutor grp, yr10 who were just growing as independent artists and other things that overpower those and I know I am glad to leave behind.<br />
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I'll leave you to work out which is which in my photo collage.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nvMEL1xHaVs/T9ZXlpLeONI/AAAAAAAAARM/xpiFLOFEJVE/s640/blogger-image--499576241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nvMEL1xHaVs/T9ZXlpLeONI/AAAAAAAAARM/xpiFLOFEJVE/s640/blogger-image--499576241.jpg" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-71852823359219235232012-06-10T21:23:00.001+01:002012-06-10T21:23:36.665+01:00Endings and new beginningsTimes are a-changing here at glass HQ and that means sorting, organising, packing, unpacking, decluttering and generally finding space for things I hadn't anticipated having here. <br />
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So this wk I ventured into school with a friend and boxed up the majority of my things ( still another car load to go tho I reckon) and as I unloaded it into the kitchen created a small ...ok large amount of chaos. Boxes boxes n more n more stuff.<br />
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I asked the question on Facebook of where to put it all and have to say my sis came u with a grt plan.... Put it in the spare bedroom and if it's not been used in a couple of yrs then bin it. I like her thinking :) <br />
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So I sat in the kitchen decanting useful folders, filling up the recycling with non useful bits n pieces, putting all my books into the study and then hid the left over boxes in the loft cupboard in the spare bedroom.... <br />
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Bye-bye school *happy waving goodbye*<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-30DRfqRsnzU/T9UCQLP9DSI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/wA5x0P2mI54/s640/blogger-image--1673258649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-30DRfqRsnzU/T9UCQLP9DSI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/wA5x0P2mI54/s640/blogger-image--1673258649.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bmSbanHPaBw/T9UCRhrZD3I/AAAAAAAAARA/EiiCshtuuGc/s640/blogger-image--448569633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bmSbanHPaBw/T9UCRhrZD3I/AAAAAAAAARA/EiiCshtuuGc/s640/blogger-image--448569633.jpg" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-45889021672125913482012-04-10T19:36:00.001+01:002012-04-10T19:36:07.940+01:00ExperimentationEvery artist, crafter or designer needs to experiment with ideas and techniques in order to get better and to develop their work. It's something I teach students every day at school and even try to encourage them to take chances / make mistakes. If they don't give things a go how will they ever know how to explore ideas and experiment? ....and ultimately how to get better.<br />
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Since January I've been 'playing' with new ideas and trying out new products....here are some of the results of my efforts so far. I've still got lots and lots of other things to try out :)<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WCOE0nF87IY/T4R9laAOSWI/AAAAAAAAAP4/4r0MH-XQWwo/s640/blogger-image--850260708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WCOE0nF87IY/T4R9laAOSWI/AAAAAAAAAP4/4r0MH-XQWwo/s640/blogger-image--850260708.jpg" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-64299956194330268872012-04-09T18:53:00.000+01:002012-04-09T18:53:19.039+01:00beads to bracelets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You might have seen posts on here or facebook about the new beads I've been making, well over the bank holiday I've been turning them into bracelets....that was until I ran out of toggle clasp findings :( 2 are completely finished but the others will have to wait a while until I can get to the shops for more sterling silver.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUs7c5djfR8/T4Mfwvv21FI/AAAAAAAAAPg/zG25XWMw4zc/s1600/DSCN0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUs7c5djfR8/T4Mfwvv21FI/AAAAAAAAAPg/zG25XWMw4zc/s320/DSCN0940.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been refreshing my skills and getting used to the heat within this flame as its different to the torch I'd previously been hiring. Now its time to try something more tricky and to get reading more of my Corrina Tettinger book- aka the lampworkers bible!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olayNUgJVlk/T4MgOB5HGsI/AAAAAAAAAPo/in50EAoT_Xo/s1600/DSCN0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olayNUgJVlk/T4MgOB5HGsI/AAAAAAAAAPo/in50EAoT_Xo/s320/DSCN0941.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Using all that black and red got me thinking....so here's what I tried and I am so pleased with them. I didn't expect them to survive but now I know it works I'll give it another go.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hcw7pPewwSQ/T4MgrZM0taI/AAAAAAAAAPw/OAP2rES4efs/s1600/DSCN0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hcw7pPewwSQ/T4MgrZM0taI/AAAAAAAAAPw/OAP2rES4efs/s320/DSCN0943.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-40525177768731407412012-04-08T19:13:00.001+01:002012-04-08T19:13:53.347+01:00SpringtimeSpring has sprung and in typical British fashion it's raining on a bank holiday weekend....here we are in the middle of a draught as it's not rained for so long and just as everyone has time off the weather is rubbish.<br />
Right I'll stop being quite so British and not mention the weather again!<br />
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The garden is full of cheerful flowers which are half hiding my metal duck sculpture, the nursery is selling young strawberry plants (I'm hoping they fruit either side of my current plants....you can't have too many fresh strawberries in summer can you )and in place of a monstrous bamboo I've bought a budlia to plant.<br />
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Each yr I try to find unusual Easter eggs to give to my family and this yr spotted the eggs with other sweeties in the chocolate yum yum. On Thurs I took them over to my sister only for her to laugh, run into the kitchen and give me the same egg in return :) great minds eh<br />
Happy Easter everyone :)<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MkpWiOQgoxk/T4HVU7LtqgI/AAAAAAAAAPI/w3ZuwwbrFIo/s640/blogger-image-2015552620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MkpWiOQgoxk/T4HVU7LtqgI/AAAAAAAAAPI/w3ZuwwbrFIo/s640/blogger-image-2015552620.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b6cS0IXW31A/T4HVWuZbneI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/tl24BfrwvLU/s640/blogger-image-1854129430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b6cS0IXW31A/T4HVWuZbneI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/tl24BfrwvLU/s640/blogger-image-1854129430.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cSem-wD3wGA/T4HVX9klOqI/AAAAAAAAAPY/bCX_dBIa1tU/s640/blogger-image--2012702843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cSem-wD3wGA/T4HVX9klOqI/AAAAAAAAAPY/bCX_dBIa1tU/s640/blogger-image--2012702843.jpg" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-1943944217590509792012-04-02T22:40:00.001+01:002012-04-02T22:40:33.160+01:00LampworkingBack in feb I went to the Essex bead fair and bought myself new beadmaking equipment. It hadn't taken me long to get fed up with Mapp gas and after running out of bottle 2 I realised it was going to be more economical to buy the proper tubing and regulator so I could use a full size bottle. Who knew that this would be so tricky though? I took myself to b&q and bought a mini bottle thinking it would make my life easier as it was small enough to carry, yep I'm a little weakling ;) however I'd not banked on the fact the fittings didn't go with my regulator!!! It took several hrs to realise it though and a few fb messages, tweets and phonecalls! Then good old dad came to the rescue telling me I had a bottle of propane in the shed!!! Typical huh.<br />
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This eve I finally got round to a lengthy play on the new equipment and refreshed a few basic skills of dotting before giving a new implosion bead a go. I saw it demonstrated a few wks back at a lampwork day at Glass From the Past in Billericay. The 1st go was too small to see the full effect and the 2nd didn't attach properly to the mandrel :( you can see it in the picture as a large disk with dots. <br />
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Oh well now for try number 3 as my mandrels are now ready to go again :)<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gpqLk9_OEBs/T3oczigf4yI/AAAAAAAAAPA/-fcyX8TR3iE/s640/blogger-image--871530941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gpqLk9_OEBs/T3oczigf4yI/AAAAAAAAAPA/-fcyX8TR3iE/s640/blogger-image--871530941.jpg" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-44606473073730233082012-01-11T17:54:00.001+00:002012-01-11T17:54:15.951+00:00National pressAs many of you know I sell my fused glass locally in a few shops. The 1st of those was Glass From The Past at barleylands in Billericay. After a chance meeting years ago in Hylands House car park Caroline(the studio owner) and I have become friends. I've been to several different glass workshops at the studio, did eve classes and am now an apprentice each Friday. Well getting back to why I mention this and that because the gallery has this wk been featured in the national magazine Your Home. My little claim to fame can be that some of my glass can be see in 1 of the photos :) <br />
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On the opposite side of the page is Make Do and Mend which is based in Chelmsford, and another place where I display and sell my glass. Hannah is featured with her knitting and crochet workshops.<br />
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Big smiles all round for crafting in Essex :D<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ujEyIMMYJ3M/Tw3MxqQDlRI/AAAAAAAAAOc/AcI5wod51r0/s640/blogger-image-1249466035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ujEyIMMYJ3M/Tw3MxqQDlRI/AAAAAAAAAOc/AcI5wod51r0/s640/blogger-image-1249466035.jpg" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-54193847633877345952011-12-29T22:53:00.001+00:002011-12-29T22:53:58.713+00:00Spring at xmasWe may still be in the middle of the festive season but I've been stepping into spring over the past 2 days.<br />
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These designs are destined for 'a Passion for Fashion' in Maldon and 'Glass from the Past' in Billericay. What shall I make tomorrow?<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P990jiHgzpQ/TvzvhSmPalI/AAAAAAAAAOU/5pH1dzZ0xsw/s640/blogger-image-1603370399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P990jiHgzpQ/TvzvhSmPalI/AAAAAAAAAOU/5pH1dzZ0xsw/s640/blogger-image-1603370399.jpg" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-56248707358200194252011-12-28T18:55:00.001+00:002011-12-28T18:55:16.047+00:00Christmas creativityIt's so nice to have time away from school to really think about new designs. I had so many ideas the other night I couldn't get to sleep for thinking about them all.... Maybe sketching in bed isn't such a gd idea after all! :)<br />
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Until I've tested my new ideas I'm going to continue with a few I'd been testing in the run up to Xmas that flew off my stall. Stock is so low that I need new things quite quickly ....and to replace the Xmas themed pieces I have in shops! <br />
So here I am a few days after Xmas and the kiln is on firing testers and new pieces too.<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aHmcy9l-YLQ/TvtmCX9rvbI/AAAAAAAAAN8/k9oqWeYC7xA/s640/blogger-image-1699075399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aHmcy9l-YLQ/TvtmCX9rvbI/AAAAAAAAAN8/k9oqWeYC7xA/s640/blogger-image-1699075399.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rDgL8ASJRyI/TvtmDpR0e5I/AAAAAAAAAOE/i2lTqnGHccs/s640/blogger-image-1790098894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rDgL8ASJRyI/TvtmDpR0e5I/AAAAAAAAAOE/i2lTqnGHccs/s640/blogger-image-1790098894.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lEdY5IyF4Fc/TvtmEvEpn0I/AAAAAAAAAOM/ZhnsKTld30M/s640/blogger-image--865655839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lEdY5IyF4Fc/TvtmEvEpn0I/AAAAAAAAAOM/ZhnsKTld30M/s640/blogger-image--865655839.jpg" /></a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-26361544771077762492011-07-14T23:16:00.000+01:002011-07-14T23:16:18.640+01:00The Versatile Blogger Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3elsbTV7aWg/Th83RmyFHSI/AAAAAAAAADw/vS8N0cskyhY/s1600/the_versitle_Blogger_award%255B4%255D.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Tonight I was reading one of my favourite blogs by Love from Lynne <a href="http://lovefromlynne.blogspot.com/2011/07/versatile-blogger-award.html?showComment=1310678285881#c964585329463313258">http://lovefromlynne.blogspot.com/2011/07/versatile-blogger-award.html?showComment=1310678285881#c964585329463313258</a> and saw that she has nominated me for 'The Versatile Blogger' Award. It was such a nice surprise and has made my evening. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I try to blog when I have something extra specially interesting to say and am hoping to get time to do it more from mid Aug....I am going down to 4 days at work to spend more time crafting. I can't wait :o) I love reading blogs by other likeminded crafty people and hope that other people enjoy my ramblings too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So now I need to tell you 7 interesting things about me and then nominate 7 of my favourite blogs to pass the award onto.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1) I like growing my own fruit and veg in the garden so that I can pop out and pick exactly what I need for my dinner. I get fed up buying pack of things in the supermarkets who don't cater for singles like myself and throwing food away is such a waste!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vNjMPkkf4Lc/Th9gWcqlnPI/AAAAAAAAALU/CWEQuB_Oess/s1600/cressing+aug08+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vNjMPkkf4Lc/Th9gWcqlnPI/AAAAAAAAALU/CWEQuB_Oess/s320/cressing+aug08+005.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2) Although I am now a glass crafter I actually trained in Theatre (Design and Technology) at Bretton Hall University College up in Wakefield, Yorkshire. I loved it but the reality of working in theatre I'm afraid just isn't me so teaching beckoned.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3) I hate cooking but for some bizarre reason am turning into a jam-maker-a-holic this summer. If its fruity and not being used for something it get turned into jam!! I am finding it quite theraputic and have decided to have a 'making as many presents as possible' type of Christmas....so get your jam flavour preferences in now ;)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VECbNIYismE/Th9h50QnimI/AAAAAAAAALY/vvIwYJXPDPk/s1600/DSCN0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VECbNIYismE/Th9h50QnimI/AAAAAAAAALY/vvIwYJXPDPk/s320/DSCN0135.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4) I also hate clothes shopping. Going into cramped changing rooms to try on clothes that just happen to be in fashion but don't suit your body type in my idea of shopping hell. I'm afraid to say I end up in a supermarket far too often.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5) I love animals and have a cat and budgie- yes that does make for an interesting arrangement. The budgie is 10yrs old and his cage is suspended from the ceiling so that Annabelle (my cat) doesn't get him for dinner!!! but in her defence she rarely eyes him up and is more interested in the ones she thinks she can catch in the garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_hjA8cQBJfo/Th9jjLwWTRI/AAAAAAAAALc/MLqAlvPSbfA/s1600/PICT0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_hjA8cQBJfo/Th9jjLwWTRI/AAAAAAAAALc/MLqAlvPSbfA/s320/PICT0553.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6) I am a member of The Guild of Essex Craftsmen. I applied around 6 yrs ago and was lucky enough to get in straight away. I can proudly say I was the 1st glass fuser in the Guild! I regularly go to their craft fairs and can often be found demonstrating how to work with glass.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7) I've recently come to realise that without art and craft in my life I don't feel whole somehow. I love learning new crafts and carrying on with what I do at home too. If I start feeling unhappy I need to get crafting and then start to feel more human again :o) I'm trying a needle felting workshop in Aug and am in the middle of an Emily Peacock 'Hug' x stitch cushion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right so now for another 7 blogs to pass the award onto....mmm....who to choose?!?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://cupcakejojo.blogspot.com/">http://cupcakejojo.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.lovemakethink.com/">http://www.lovemakethink.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.dotsandspotsdesign.blogspot.com/">http://www.dotsandspotsdesign.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://laurahambleton.blogspot.com/">http://laurahambleton.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://beautifulthingsbyclaire.blogspot.com/">http://beautifulthingsbyclaire.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://threadwirecloth.blogspot.com/">http://threadwirecloth.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.pictureitinstitches.blogspot.com/">http://www.pictureitinstitches.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope you enjoy seeing some new blogs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-82153331413632064682011-07-09T23:34:00.000+01:002011-07-09T23:34:41.248+01:00new designs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This week I had my new business cards and sticky labels delivered. I love the daintiness of the design. Sometimes it can be difficult to fully appreciate whats on the screen shot when you order things like this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4zoQKismQ4/ThjS1qYkYvI/AAAAAAAAAK8/ktzVdbDTpUk/s1600/DSCN0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4zoQKismQ4/ThjS1qYkYvI/AAAAAAAAAK8/ktzVdbDTpUk/s320/DSCN0238.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While I was demo'ing at Horndon on the Hill Feast and Fayre 2 weeks ago I made lots of card toppers. Tonight I finally found the time to sit down and make up the card designs. Once there's daylight I'll take some better photos and set up an etsy shop to sell the cards. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpIDAr5dXiA/ThjUlk7y9zI/AAAAAAAAALM/zouEVDdpgNE/s1600/DSCN0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpIDAr5dXiA/ThjUlk7y9zI/AAAAAAAAALM/zouEVDdpgNE/s320/DSCN0236.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What kind of home do you live in? I've got bungalows, houses, town houses and flats in the designs.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-Y4kqQRKug/ThjVA5H7MEI/AAAAAAAAALQ/G4xI_-wrXgk/s1600/DSCN0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-Y4kqQRKug/ThjVA5H7MEI/AAAAAAAAALQ/G4xI_-wrXgk/s320/DSCN0237.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Its wedding season so I just had to do some wedding designs too.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzYCLo4lt9k/ThjTP8ouUzI/AAAAAAAAALA/3Wxo7j6LHgM/s1600/DSCN0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzYCLo4lt9k/ThjTP8ouUzI/AAAAAAAAALA/3Wxo7j6LHgM/s320/DSCN0233.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also got a little carried away with the new baby cards. These are backed with felt rather than special papers like the other cards. I wanted a softer feel for new arrivals.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-urJxJvlYTJ4/ThjTsGoS7II/AAAAAAAAALE/3qMxm8dbGw8/s1600/DSCN0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-urJxJvlYTJ4/ThjTsGoS7II/AAAAAAAAALE/3qMxm8dbGw8/s320/DSCN0234.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Its also the end of term when we all like to thank our teachers for all the hard work they do all year (ok so I'm a teacher, but in secondary school its very rare to get thank you cards/prezzies. The exception would be my 6th formers who bought us 2 goldfish and everything we needed to look after them too. How lovely is that?!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBkJYk6ks4c/ThjUHxmTgRI/AAAAAAAAALI/vc11MaNxXBs/s1600/DSCN0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBkJYk6ks4c/ThjUHxmTgRI/AAAAAAAAALI/vc11MaNxXBs/s320/DSCN0235.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We always seem to know someone with a birthday coming up. I don't know about you but I'm partial to a slice of cake at celebrations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you would like any of the cards above before I list them on etsy please leave a msg here or email me <a href="mailto:helen@helenroseglass.co.uk">helen@helenroseglass.co.uk</a> They will be priced at £3.50 and postage will be worked out asap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks </div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-13105980008806083492011-06-12T19:28:00.000+01:002011-06-12T19:28:17.449+01:00orange and apricot loaf<div style="text-align: center;">For some strange reason the non-chef that I am decided to make strawberry jam and an apricot/orange loaf today. Yesterday I'd gone strawberry picking with a friend and she'd shown me how to make jam. I'd never realised it was soooo easy so today was determined to make some of my own too and now I have several jars of warm jam sat in the kitchen. With todays miserable weather they make perfect handwarmers ;o)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2luMyGsHnWg/TfUBCj8wF0I/AAAAAAAAAKM/fUEXhuJIOII/s1600/DSCN0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2luMyGsHnWg/TfUBCj8wF0I/AAAAAAAAAKM/fUEXhuJIOII/s320/DSCN0135.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nsDXElgTOs/TfUBaporqmI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/pu6xq-MzByo/s1600/DSCN0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nsDXElgTOs/TfUBaporqmI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/pu6xq-MzByo/s320/DSCN0136.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How yummy do all those bits of strawberry look mmmmm. Went lovely on a croissant earlier.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkby93eVj8M/TfUCLr6M-SI/AAAAAAAAAKY/QmIT31CNIvI/s1600/DSCN0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkby93eVj8M/TfUCLr6M-SI/AAAAAAAAAKY/QmIT31CNIvI/s320/DSCN0138.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The strawberries were huge, see how big they are compared to an orange.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My 2nd make of the day was an apricot and orange loaf. Unfortunately the tin liners I'd bought were too big for my loaf tin so I ended up using them in a flat tin instead hence the squashed looking loaf. I don't mind though, it'll taste the same.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dg5fKxaNtUo/TfUBzIwELKI/AAAAAAAAAKU/ow2kUc-kGq0/s1600/DSCN0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dg5fKxaNtUo/TfUBzIwELKI/AAAAAAAAAKU/ow2kUc-kGq0/s320/DSCN0137.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">So here's the recipe for it-</div><div align="center">100g dried apricots</div><div align="center">an orange</div><div align="center">100g self raising flour</div><div align="center">100g soft margarine</div><div align="center">100g soft light brown sugar</div><div align="center">2 eggs</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1- pre heat oven to gas 4, 180c or 350f and line your 2lb loaf tin</div><div style="text-align: left;">2- chop dried apricots into a bowl</div><div style="text-align: left;">3- grate the rind of the orange into the bowl</div><div style="text-align: left;">4- Sift the flour into the bowl. Add margarine and sugar.</div><div style="text-align: left;">5- break the eggs into a cup and add them to the bowl.</div><div style="text-align: left;">6- Beat the mix until its light and fluffy.</div><div style="text-align: left;">7- Pour mix into the tin and cook for 40mins</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">icing ingredients-</div><div style="text-align: center;">100g icing sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tble spoons of orange juice</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">8- Mix the icing sugar and orange together until its the consistency of runny glue.</div><div style="text-align: left;">9- pour over the loaf once its cooled.</div><div style="text-align: left;">10- most important.....Eat your yummy cake :o)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy cooking</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-21730488621902884992011-05-21T13:41:00.000+01:002011-05-21T13:41:21.353+01:00Trialing a craft kit<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> <div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A crafting friend of mine, Claire from Beautiful Things by Claire Mackaness (look her up on facebook/twitter) has decided to start making craft kits. Before selling them though she asked for volunteers to trial the kits and give her a review so I volunteered to try out her tote bag kit.</span></span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I loved coming home on Thursday to find a little pink package on the mat. I know it’s only a small thing but it was the start of feeling like I’d got something special. As soon as I opened it I thought it looked very professional in the packaging and quickly opened the kit.</span> </span></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0048-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0048-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0048-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0048-2.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to say that I did find 5 pages of instructions a little daunting and wondered what I’d let myself in for but started to follow them step by step, running up and down the stairs to keep ironing various pieces of fabric, then coming down to sew them together.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0049.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0050.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was simple to follow the instructions, so I needn't have been worried, and time flew by. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0051.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also had a little hiccup adding the felt squares that covered the handle joins when it said ‘press the square for 10-15 seconds until the glue melts’. I literally pressed it and nothing happened. As someone who’d never seen sticky backed felt I didn’t realise straight away that it meant to press with an iron, oops! I felt very 'blonde' but I reckon Claire will not amend this before the kits go on sale.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0056.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had another little mishap when my stitching didn't quite go straight- not due to my poor sewing skills obviously, there must've been something going wrong with the machine!!!! or perhaps I was getting distracted by this going on near my feet.....</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0059.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0058.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Around 75 mins after I started I had a completed, gorgeous tote bag.</span> </div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/helen3977/other%20crafts/DSCN0061.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So if you were to ask if I’d buy other kits the answer would be yes, as I found it easy and fun to do. I reckon the kits will be a top seller in no time at all. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good work Claire :o) Feel free to add a link to your etsy shop in the comments so people can easily buy them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-38666940287020631592011-05-14T21:08:00.000+01:002011-05-14T21:08:15.102+01:00fusing workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few months ago I was contacted about running a workshop for 5 friends. This quickly grew to 7 friends and then to 9!! At this point I had a minor panic wondering how on earth I was going to fit 9 people into my house to teach them at the same time. I looked up hiring the village hall and thought about hiring extra tables to have a home but however I planned it out it wasn't going to work. I was also worried about being able to teach 9 people well enough so that they had individual help with their work. The only answer was to teach in 'shifts' with a group of 5 and then of 4 which thankfully the group were more than happy with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The day started with tea, coffee, lots of chatter and a reunion with an old friend from down under. You could tell straight away that they were going to be great fun and were here for an enjoyable day whilst learning something new. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z-PnodtzvV4/Tc7POOFRv6I/AAAAAAAAAJM/cU5KxgfViWk/s1600/PICT1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z-PnodtzvV4/Tc7POOFRv6I/AAAAAAAAAJM/cU5KxgfViWk/s320/PICT1503.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The coaster making went pretty smoothely but by the time they were onto suncatchers the <em>making</em> group were being 'helped' by their friends who couldn't resist giving suggestions on their designs. I guess it should have been predicted once they all had a basic understanding of working with the glass. It was quite nice really although they often joked about being in competition with the opposite group or telling them to stop heckling them- all good jesting :o)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6FrAT1PKMA/Tc7PUfa8mVI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/LdxIu-pxDL0/s1600/PICT1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6FrAT1PKMA/Tc7PUfa8mVI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/LdxIu-pxDL0/s320/PICT1504.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some chose to chill out in the garden reading some of my glass books and we all popped out to see the impromtu air show over head. I've never seen planes doing loop the loops over my house before today! Southend have their airshow in 2 wks so perhaps we saw their practice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lE_6ZhvH7uA/Tc7PbpBNl6I/AAAAAAAAAJU/M8A-6R5Xroc/s1600/PICT1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lE_6ZhvH7uA/Tc7PbpBNl6I/AAAAAAAAAJU/M8A-6R5Xroc/s320/PICT1505.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friends 'helping' each other out.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t9PvCc3AJ58/Tc7PhLskh5I/AAAAAAAAAJY/3_ZowqTc3kI/s1600/PICT1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t9PvCc3AJ58/Tc7PhLskh5I/AAAAAAAAAJY/3_ZowqTc3kI/s320/PICT1506.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kilnful of glass created today. 9 coasters of varying design and glass cutting.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vtHPge4LOJo/Tc7Pnmecm-I/AAAAAAAAAJc/pAkVtUa6mn0/s1600/PICT1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vtHPge4LOJo/Tc7Pnmecm-I/AAAAAAAAAJc/pAkVtUa6mn0/s320/PICT1507.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gill who made the beach huts very nearly bought a piece like this last week in Burnham and was chuffed to bits to be able to make her own one.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-70i3UOWmc0Y/Tc7Pt8Sa1aI/AAAAAAAAAJg/uatRKsKpJUo/s1600/PICT1510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-70i3UOWmc0Y/Tc7Pt8Sa1aI/AAAAAAAAAJg/uatRKsKpJUo/s320/PICT1510.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the end of the day I felt like I'd spent the day with my friends and was feeling about as chilled as they were and then came to shock of a clap of thank yous...now that's not something you get everyday :o)</div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-22084229496524610492011-04-25T15:36:00.000+01:002011-04-25T15:36:51.607+01:00peacock eyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nothing like leaving things til the last minute is there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My leaded window design has been coming along nicely but so far I've managed to do the 2 easiest of the 6 sections and haven't got round to fusing the eyes of the peacock's tail. In tomorrow's eve class I'll be doing a bit of soldering on panel 2 but will then be ready for the tail and the challenge of the century!!! Now that I'm ready for the tail parts I <em>really</em> need the peacock eyes done and there for leading into the design. (See what I mean about last minute now!) So today was the day for getting it done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZIlXHiyWV4/TbWBgkiwWcI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Vae5CEBy4LU/s1600/PICT1483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZIlXHiyWV4/TbWBgkiwWcI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Vae5CEBy4LU/s320/PICT1483.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm using lead crystal glass that I've been using for my castings as having done a few flat experiments with it I realised it would be perfect for what I envisaged. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I set myself up on the table in the conservatory with the leading design, peacock images, bags of glass, a kiln shelf to position the glass directly onto and was joined by a hot and bothered cat stretched out under the table!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVCUQ-mHezY/TbWBmFmhHUI/AAAAAAAAAIw/TPtoQ5Gl_Cs/s1600/PICT1484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVCUQ-mHezY/TbWBmFmhHUI/AAAAAAAAAIw/TPtoQ5Gl_Cs/s320/PICT1484.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But then disaster struck!!!! I ran out of glass eek!!! (ok I know I'm being melodramatic but I am impatient!) Luckily Glass From The Past, where I get my glass from, is pretty local so I jumped in the car and bought another 8 bags which should keep me going for a little while. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q9vD9jWDyzw/TbWB17ZZqxI/AAAAAAAAAI0/PvO-yXzUk94/s1600/PICT1486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q9vD9jWDyzw/TbWB17ZZqxI/AAAAAAAAAI0/PvO-yXzUk94/s320/PICT1486.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So disaster averted and I finished all the 'eyes' on the left hand side of the design.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWh-uwImbSI/TbWB_hCKw4I/AAAAAAAAAI4/1hgn5NzTuKw/s1600/PICT1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWh-uwImbSI/TbWB_hCKw4I/AAAAAAAAAI4/1hgn5NzTuKw/s320/PICT1487.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When the come out of the kiln tomorrow morning I'll be able to pack them into a bag ready for the eve class when I'll cut and grind them to fit into the design perfectly. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8lrU9dcY2E/TbWCL-barFI/AAAAAAAAAJA/nTha699lc_Y/s1600/PICT1345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8lrU9dcY2E/TbWCL-barFI/AAAAAAAAAJA/nTha699lc_Y/s320/PICT1345.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">But before then I've got <em>lots</em> of 16yr olds to prepare for their final GCSE Art exam on Weds/Thurs....I'll need another 4 day wkend to get over this chaotic wk :o)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-52154472471242078092011-04-24T19:30:00.000+01:002011-04-24T19:30:50.006+01:00new casting sculptures<div style="text-align: center;">What a gorgeous bank holiday weekend and school Easter holiday. For days now I've been able to enjoy eating every meal al fesco on the patio and have had 2 bbq's which is just amazing for April. I could get used to this :o)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I decided it was time to take my crafts outside so spent a few hours this afternoon making new casting sculptures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T0J56d6BeUk/TbRrBdS8UGI/AAAAAAAAAIg/qCk_nSlPEJk/s1600/PICT1476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T0J56d6BeUk/TbRrBdS8UGI/AAAAAAAAAIg/qCk_nSlPEJk/s320/PICT1476.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last week I went on holiday to Norfolk and visited Southwold which was full of seaside inspiration (ok so perhaps I am a little preoccupied by seaside themes but we can't help what inspires us can we?!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePiFXrrAbfs/TbRrHVECkfI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Szrsh8Vxlx0/s1600/PICT1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePiFXrrAbfs/TbRrHVECkfI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Szrsh8Vxlx0/s320/PICT1477.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These will be used to make a plaster mold at a later date so that I can turn the design into 3d glass.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4UnvkfEMolw/TbRrYvb_2gI/AAAAAAAAAIo/vJ-MNIKZXBU/s1600/PICT1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4UnvkfEMolw/TbRrYvb_2gI/AAAAAAAAAIo/vJ-MNIKZXBU/s320/PICT1478.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which is your favourite?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What other items should I add to the seaside collection?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-61101228394501203322011-03-20T22:02:00.000+00:002011-03-20T22:02:01.130+00:00glass casting results<div align="center">So I managed to restrain myself from turning the kiln on for 6 days!!! Are you as impressed as I am?! I'll admit I was going to put it on sooner but on Tues I bumped into Sue Chalk and she said she'd recommend leaving the molds to dry out for about a wk so I sensibly listened to her advice.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4Z_OF2ajaHQ/TYZvPsEniII/AAAAAAAAAHw/1HXa6K1qAj8/s1600/PICT1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4Z_OF2ajaHQ/TYZvPsEniII/AAAAAAAAAHw/1HXa6K1qAj8/s320/PICT1372.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After 30hrs in the kiln I broke open the molds and this is what I found. Some of the edges were a little sharp, especially on the lagoon green shell which was the one that had got buried in the plaster, so I had to start grinding off the edges.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8Clc8_ZPNgc/TYZvViQliuI/AAAAAAAAAH0/L0dFLDuwH4o/s1600/PICT1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8Clc8_ZPNgc/TYZvViQliuI/AAAAAAAAAH0/L0dFLDuwH4o/s320/PICT1374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the level of detail that remains in the glass after its cast.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BSvKQutEF_8/TYZvaBjHVEI/AAAAAAAAAH4/fgXlfBfaC2s/s1600/PICT1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BSvKQutEF_8/TYZvaBjHVEI/AAAAAAAAAH4/fgXlfBfaC2s/s320/PICT1375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Last week I experiemented with fusing the lead crystal glass into flat shapes and was quite pleased with the results. I'm now wondering whether to use shapes like this as a base to put my sculptures on top of. What do you think?</div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FS_zQxDSWd4/TYZvg1EvhvI/AAAAAAAAAH8/GVUQua8-IfE/s1600/PICT1378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FS_zQxDSWd4/TYZvg1EvhvI/AAAAAAAAAH8/GVUQua8-IfE/s320/PICT1378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h9jt1tz7yGM/TYZvli7LQXI/AAAAAAAAAIA/HBZPcJahF28/s1600/PICT1379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h9jt1tz7yGM/TYZvli7LQXI/AAAAAAAAAIA/HBZPcJahF28/s320/PICT1379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DD-_KFcRJ50/TYZvpaMyflI/AAAAAAAAAIE/Emjo1KK2skI/s1600/PICT1380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DD-_KFcRJ50/TYZvpaMyflI/AAAAAAAAAIE/Emjo1KK2skI/s320/PICT1380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What colour combinations/contrasts do you like best? I think I prefer the green shell on the bluey base, do you agree? mmm decisions decisions.....and what shall I get making next?....oooh the possibilities are endless.</div><div align="center"></div><br />
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</div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-2608253223978090592011-03-20T21:37:00.000+00:002011-03-20T21:37:23.963+00:00glass casting 1<div align="center">Back in October I went on a glass casting workshop with Sue Chalk and have finally started to experiment with it at home now. All it took for me to get going was discovering that the gorgeous lead crystal glass I needed was on sale at Glass from The Past in Billericay and I was away :o) </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Last weekend while I sat on a craft stall at Hylands House I spent several hours making mini sculptures. Using plasticine, shells, a pencil and a craft knife I began to create the 3d forms I wanted to cast in glass.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-irc2yO7hEug/TYZr52TJzNI/AAAAAAAAAHs/ccDhOa20IcA/s1600/PICT1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-irc2yO7hEug/TYZr52TJzNI/AAAAAAAAAHs/ccDhOa20IcA/s320/PICT1352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Now anyone who knows me won't be surprised to hear that I was far too keen to see how they would come out to wait for too long to make the molds. By sunday evening my kitchen looked a bit of a mess with plastic pots, a jug, bags of glass, newspaper, plaster, weighing scales and various other bits n bobs cluttering the worksurfaces.</div><div align="center"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kNguJZ1Ruw4/TYZx_MzfbxI/AAAAAAAAAII/fU4828dLZiY/s1600/PICT1359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kNguJZ1Ruw4/TYZx_MzfbxI/AAAAAAAAAII/fU4828dLZiY/s320/PICT1359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div align="center">Some of the castings worked perfectly....</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-itdk2t_ukJw/TYZyF9fbK5I/AAAAAAAAAIM/DTEMOYAYEic/s1600/PICT1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-itdk2t_ukJw/TYZyF9fbK5I/AAAAAAAAAIM/DTEMOYAYEic/s320/PICT1355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">...but the one with the air bubbles didn't look quite so good....</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f6qLtX5s01U/TYZyU9PSeSI/AAAAAAAAAIU/Z0UE71M1DhQ/s1600/PICT1358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f6qLtX5s01U/TYZyU9PSeSI/AAAAAAAAAIU/Z0UE71M1DhQ/s320/PICT1358.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">...the plasticine had come unstuck from the base and moved inside the mold but armed with a handy craft knife to dig the plasticine out happiness was restored :o)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-700LWDQhAQs/TYZyNr1haNI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/KiUCftR9q2A/s1600/PICT1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-700LWDQhAQs/TYZyNr1haNI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/KiUCftR9q2A/s320/PICT1356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4OQzSMv0vTE/TYZynl-4i_I/AAAAAAAAAIc/iTy191s-HhE/s1600/PICT1360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4OQzSMv0vTE/TYZynl-4i_I/AAAAAAAAAIc/iTy191s-HhE/s320/PICT1360.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">By the time I went to bed on Sunday evening the glass was secured in the molds ready to go in the kiln</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">All that was needed was patience in waiting for the molds to dry out before I could turn the kiln on....and that's not something I'm too good at when something this new and exciting is concerned. How long will I be able to wait before I programme the kiln?</div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-20502288365252230082011-02-17T20:43:00.000+00:002011-02-17T20:43:53.110+00:00Needlecraft thats just my cup of tea!<div style="text-align: center;">Having watched Kirstie's Homemade Home in the Autumn last year I fell in love with these gorgeous cushions by Emily Peacock. I guess like most people I'd never seen any kind of needlework thats so modern like these designs. I'd had a traditional image of landscape picture or samplers. As a child I'd made many a cross stitch in school holidays and bought my mum a couple of kits a few years back for a Christmas present. She's not quite finished them but is quicker than my sister who's still trying to finish one she started around 15yrs ago!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><img class="imagecache-large" height="321" jquery1297974546985="85" src="http://ukhandmade.co.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/large/kissandhug.jpg" width="500" /></div><div align="center">I've just bought myself a kit for 'HUG' and am hoping it doesn't take me as long to do as my sister's 'country companions' kit. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Designers like Emily Peacock and Granny Knits have become firm favourites for me. I'm following them with enthusiasm on Facebook and came across this link on Emily Peacock's page, which is all about contemporary needlepoint. Take a look if you are as keen on this style of work as me and you won't be disappointed. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ukhandmade.com/content/make-craft-profile-contemporary-needlepoint">http://www.ukhandmade.com/content/make-craft-profile-contemporary-needlepoint</a></div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-86278923484836010912011-02-16T22:50:00.002+00:002011-02-16T22:51:53.515+00:00My kitchen door design<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For a while now I've wanted to learn how to lead glass so that I can create a glass design for my kitchen/hallway door. In January I went on a leading day workshop and have now finished designing my 1st piece. I'm slightly worried it could be a challenge too far but maybe if I knew what was coming I'd not set myself such a challenge and therefore wouldn't get better so quickly. I remember doing the same when I started glass fusing and regretted cutting sharp curves in opaque glass as I couldn't see what I was doing but I persevered and Mum eventually got her bowl (but not quite on time for her birthday! oops) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jMQoFh0kSU/TVxSKrb0m3I/AAAAAAAAAHk/0uPqFuirkwA/s1600/PICT1314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jMQoFh0kSU/TVxSKrb0m3I/AAAAAAAAAHk/0uPqFuirkwA/s320/PICT1314.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I've decided to combine fusing and leading in this piece (see what I mean about doing something challenging for a 1st piece!) and will fuse the 'eyes' and the head piece of the peacock. This way I should be able to get a bit more detail in the work and create some added interest. Before doing too much more cutting out I need to experiment with the fusing just incase the pieces need adjusting to fit the pattern. I don't want to have to recut lots of pieces because the fused elements 'grow' in the kiln as the glass melts.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gd469WR3eIw/TVxSQfzsDZI/AAAAAAAAAHo/zuVr95LR0Qw/s1600/PICT1315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gd469WR3eIw/TVxSQfzsDZI/AAAAAAAAAHo/zuVr95LR0Qw/s320/PICT1315.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Watch this space to see the trials and tribulations of making the peacock and share my surprises along the way too...</div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100120738335223.post-90287124872009717772011-01-23T13:16:00.000+00:002011-01-23T13:16:54.762+00:00The outcomes of the baby feet/hand casting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part 2 of casting a baby's foot for posterity!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are the outcomes of our 1st try at casting a baby's feet and hand. As you peel away the rubbery alginate mixture its amazing just how much detail you start to see on the plater cast inside. With the pink from the mix slightly dying the plaster it looks spookily real. We were quite relieved to see the pink fade though as the plaster dried out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9HSRcXRBHwc/TTNjn_wWA2I/AAAAAAAAAGo/6tXLKRIudFU/s1600/52171_453981420753_558650753_6098158_6684848_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9HSRcXRBHwc/TTNjn_wWA2I/AAAAAAAAAGo/6tXLKRIudFU/s320/52171_453981420753_558650753_6098158_6684848_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A foot starting to emerge from the the mold. Its looking all wrinkly like the foots been in a bath for too long!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9HSRcXRBHwc/TTNjtLqh7cI/AAAAAAAAAGs/y7Ust8Dmjn0/s1600/52171_453981425753_558650753_6098159_1230509_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9HSRcXRBHwc/TTNjtLqh7cI/AAAAAAAAAGs/y7Ust8Dmjn0/s320/52171_453981425753_558650753_6098159_1230509_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were impressed with our creations and surprised ourselves at how amazingly real they looked. You can also see which ones have been exposed to air for longer as the pink becomes less bright.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9HSRcXRBHwc/TTNjwsAOmVI/AAAAAAAAAGw/G07TmX861JU/s1600/52414_453983910753_558650753_6098184_164172_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9HSRcXRBHwc/TTNjwsAOmVI/AAAAAAAAAGw/G07TmX861JU/s320/52414_453983910753_558650753_6098184_164172_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We needn't have worried about the fist after all. It came out the best of all the casts.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9HSRcXRBHwc/TTNjz4XIl6I/AAAAAAAAAG0/axyo_H1MxtA/s1600/52414_453983915753_558650753_6098185_1023479_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9HSRcXRBHwc/TTNjz4XIl6I/AAAAAAAAAG0/axyo_H1MxtA/s320/52414_453983915753_558650753_6098185_1023479_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An adorable little foot...ahhhhh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So glas we didn't buy one of those kits from the shops and tried something a little differernt instead. The risk definitely paid off :o)</div>Helen Rose Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395567348119359940noreply@blogger.com0