The sides are now being worked on! It's getting exciting now!
Meanwhile, I'm still torching in the kitchen, and I think I'm making progress there too!!!
All comments and feedback welcome!!!
Tuesday, 13 August 2013
Progress.....
Well, there's been much measuring and sawing, and the double layered base is now complete, with insulation between the boards to keep me snuggly warm in winter.
The sides are now being worked on! It's getting exciting now!
Even I helped out with a bit of woodstaining!!!!!
Meanwhile, I'm still torching in the kitchen, and I think I'm making progress there too!!!
All comments and feedback welcome!!!
The sides are now being worked on! It's getting exciting now!
Meanwhile, I'm still torching in the kitchen, and I think I'm making progress there too!!!
All comments and feedback welcome!!!
Sunday, 14 July 2013
The Shedio - Concrete base now down
Yesterday was a long day! Up at 7am so that we could get out in the truck and collect cement and ballast, then breaking down hardcore to form the base, before Steve could mix and lay the concrete.
Steve worked until about 8pm to get the base completed, by which point it was time for a well earned pint.
This morning when we went to inspect the base, we discovered that we'd had two visitors in the night!!!! No prizes for guessing the first one, but we're not sure about the second...the footprints are tiny!
Steve worked until about 8pm to get the base completed, by which point it was time for a well earned pint.
This morning when we went to inspect the base, we discovered that we'd had two visitors in the night!!!! No prizes for guessing the first one, but we're not sure about the second...the footprints are tiny!
 | |
| Wet base just finished |
 |
| The mixer had its work cut out! |
 |
| Dry base |
 |
| Visitor 1 |
 | |
| Visitor 2 |
Sunday, 9 June 2013
Shedio progress!
This weekend, the bricks went down to form the outer boundary of the base for the Shedio.
This was yesterday...
And this was today...
It's looking good!
The old shed used to sit on the innerbricks, so you can see how much bigger the new shedio is going to be!
And this is what I got up to at the torch this weekend...
The kiln is full again after todays session, so must be patient and wait until it cools!
This was yesterday...
And this was today...
The old shed used to sit on the innerbricks, so you can see how much bigger the new shedio is going to be!
And this is what I got up to at the torch this weekend...
 |
| Lampwork Coffin |
 |
| Ivory beads with silver shards |
 | |
| Ivory lentil with silver glass shard |
The kiln is full again after todays session, so must be patient and wait until it cools!
Monday, 3 June 2013
The Start of The Purple Cobwebs Shedio!
I'm so excited. Work has now commenced on my new shedio.
The old shed has been demolished...
The trenches have been dug for the new base...
The sand and cement is being mixed...
And the bricks are waiting to be laid...
I'll keep you updated as work progresses!
And here's a bit of what I've been creating at the torch recently...
The old shed has been demolished...
The trenches have been dug for the new base...
The sand and cement is being mixed...
And the bricks are waiting to be laid...
I'll keep you updated as work progresses!
And here's a bit of what I've been creating at the torch recently...
Sunday, 3 February 2013
A comissioned make
I was asked to make a rosary for a vegan art exhibition, using my glass lampwork beads.
This took many many hours, but I was really pleased with the end result.
It sold and I donated the proceeds to the Vegan Society.
This took many many hours, but I was really pleased with the end result.
It sold and I donated the proceeds to the Vegan Society.
Friday, 4 January 2013
My glassy journey
During a recent visit to Adelaide, I enjoyed a fantastic days tuition with the very talented Stephanie Gough. This led me to reminisce about my glassy journey to date!
Back in May 2009 I found myself admiring some lovely glass lampwork beads made by Dee Elgie, on a craft forum. I had been making jewellery for several years and thought how amazing it would be to make my own beads!
I sent Dee a message asking how easy it was to get set up and what I would need. She was very generous in sharing her knowledge and sent me a long message back with details of what I would need and where to get it.
Well, I immediately went online and ordered myself a starter torch (a single fuel hothead), a cannister of MAPP gas, safety glasses, mandrels, glass, bead release, a book, and a blanket to cool the beads.
I was so excited at the prospect of melting glass,and set everything up as soon as it arrived. My first attempt resulted in some very wonky misshapen beads, several of which cracked in the cooling blanket! Dee provided lots of advice and was an invaluable source of information.
I soon realised that I needed some help, and signed up to an introductory class with Sarah Lamb at Artshed Arts in Ware. That was it, at the end of the day I was addicted to glass!!!!
I soon found that using MAPP gas was both expensive and inconvenient. (It freezes up very easily and cuts off). So my next step was to upgrade to a bulk fuel setup with large canisters of propane. I also purchased vermiculite and a slow cooker to cool my beads in a more controllable way.
After practicing for several months, I signed up for a second class with Sarah Lamb, this time to learn how to make hollow beads.
I was also introduced to a glassy forum, Frit-Happens, by Helen Wyatt. Helen provided me with lots of tips to improve my bead making, and was a great source of information.
In April 2010 I attended my very first Flameoff, a huge glassy convention, with demonstrations, chances to try new torches, and lots of glassy goodies to buy!
Shortly after Flameoff, I upgraded to a dual fuel torch, a Nortel Minor, an oxycon, and a kiln. I now had a proper set up which helped me to make faster progress.
Since then I have taken further classes with Sally Carver (Redhotsal), Kaz Baildon, Claudia Trimbur Pagel, and Stephanie Gough.
I have also spent a small fortune on glass, frit, murrini, bead presses, bead rollers, and various other tools.
I've a very long way to go, and need to practice hard to improve, but it is an amazing journey and I am so grateful to Dee and Helen for all of their help and encouragement in getting me started.
Back in May 2009 I found myself admiring some lovely glass lampwork beads made by Dee Elgie, on a craft forum. I had been making jewellery for several years and thought how amazing it would be to make my own beads!
I sent Dee a message asking how easy it was to get set up and what I would need. She was very generous in sharing her knowledge and sent me a long message back with details of what I would need and where to get it.
Well, I immediately went online and ordered myself a starter torch (a single fuel hothead), a cannister of MAPP gas, safety glasses, mandrels, glass, bead release, a book, and a blanket to cool the beads.
I was so excited at the prospect of melting glass,and set everything up as soon as it arrived. My first attempt resulted in some very wonky misshapen beads, several of which cracked in the cooling blanket! Dee provided lots of advice and was an invaluable source of information.
I soon realised that I needed some help, and signed up to an introductory class with Sarah Lamb at Artshed Arts in Ware. That was it, at the end of the day I was addicted to glass!!!!
I soon found that using MAPP gas was both expensive and inconvenient. (It freezes up very easily and cuts off). So my next step was to upgrade to a bulk fuel setup with large canisters of propane. I also purchased vermiculite and a slow cooker to cool my beads in a more controllable way.
After practicing for several months, I signed up for a second class with Sarah Lamb, this time to learn how to make hollow beads.
I was also introduced to a glassy forum, Frit-Happens, by Helen Wyatt. Helen provided me with lots of tips to improve my bead making, and was a great source of information.
In April 2010 I attended my very first Flameoff, a huge glassy convention, with demonstrations, chances to try new torches, and lots of glassy goodies to buy!
Shortly after Flameoff, I upgraded to a dual fuel torch, a Nortel Minor, an oxycon, and a kiln. I now had a proper set up which helped me to make faster progress.
Since then I have taken further classes with Sally Carver (Redhotsal), Kaz Baildon, Claudia Trimbur Pagel, and Stephanie Gough.
I have also spent a small fortune on glass, frit, murrini, bead presses, bead rollers, and various other tools.
I've a very long way to go, and need to practice hard to improve, but it is an amazing journey and I am so grateful to Dee and Helen for all of their help and encouragement in getting me started.
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
The Gossiping Goddess/Kaz Baildon Blog Hop
Welcome to my very first blog hop!!!!!
Way back in October a group of designers were randomly selected receive a free bead or beads from a huge stash very kindly gifted to the lovely Lesley Watt by the super talented glass artist Kaz Baildon.
I was lucky enough to be selected. I would not know which beads I would receive. I was asked to make something with them and then post on my blog. How exciting!!!
These are the beads I received.....
I decided to team them with some of my own simple lampwork spacers, a few Swarovski crystals, and some chain, and this is what I created!
Apologies for the poor quality photos, being a bit last minute I had no natural daylight!!!
Thank you very much Lesley for hosting such a lovely hop! Now I'm going to relax with a glass of wine and see what the other designers came up with...
Lesley Watt - www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins - http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Rebecca Anderson - http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Marie Cramp - http://skyejewels.blogspot.com
Claire Braunbarth - http://smittenbeads.blogspot.com
Heidi Post - http://http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.com
Tiffany Smith - http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Sharyl Macmillan-Nelson - http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Ailsa Cordner - http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.
Linda Landig - http://lindalandig.wordpress.
Caroline Dewison - http://blueberribeads.com
Renetha - http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Kari Asbury - http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.
Purple Cobwebs - http://www.purplecobwebs.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkins - http://www.
Therese Frank - www.theresestreasures59.
Claire Ennis - http://clairescrystalclassics.blogspot.com
Emma - http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Alicia - http://www.allprettythings.ca
Sandy Huntress - http://keepsakecrafts.net/
Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com - you are here!
Amy - http://copperdiem.blogspot.com
Katherine Gale - http://terrabeadworks.blogspot.com
Way back in October a group of designers were randomly selected receive a free bead or beads from a huge stash very kindly gifted to the lovely Lesley Watt by the super talented glass artist Kaz Baildon.
I was lucky enough to be selected. I would not know which beads I would receive. I was asked to make something with them and then post on my blog. How exciting!!!
These are the beads I received.....
I decided to team them with some of my own simple lampwork spacers, a few Swarovski crystals, and some chain, and this is what I created!
Apologies for the poor quality photos, being a bit last minute I had no natural daylight!!!
Thank you very much Lesley for hosting such a lovely hop! Now I'm going to relax with a glass of wine and see what the other designers came up with...
Lesley Watt - www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins - http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Rebecca Anderson - http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Marie Cramp - http://skyejewels.blogspot.com
Claire Braunbarth - http://smittenbeads.blogspot.com
Heidi Post - http://http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.com
Tiffany Smith - http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Sharyl Macmillan-Nelson - http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Ailsa Cordner - http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.
Linda Landig - http://lindalandig.wordpress.
Caroline Dewison - http://blueberribeads.com
Renetha - http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Kari Asbury - http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.
Purple Cobwebs - http://www.purplecobwebs.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkins - http://www.
Therese Frank - www.theresestreasures59.
Claire Ennis - http://clairescrystalclassics.blogspot.com
Emma - http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Alicia - http://www.allprettythings.ca
Sandy Huntress - http://keepsakecrafts.net/
Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com - you are here!
Amy - http://copperdiem.blogspot.com
Katherine Gale - http://terrabeadworks.blogspot.com
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