Windows Installed.

These are the windows that were installed yesterday at St Brendan's.
The arches are actually fused Bullseye glass, using silver on black dichroic for the stars of the Southern Cross. Thank goodness for my Tauras diamond ring saw without which I could not have cut them. The rectangular portions are made of three panels each.
They are in a Western wall so I needed to use strong vibrant colours to avoid the light washing them out.
The congregation will see them at the Saturday night Mass for the first time, I am confident they will be happy with what I've done.

Another Rainy Sunday!

Thankfully last Sunday was a cloudy but dry day for the Avoca Beachside market. And what a market it was! Great variety of stalls, lots of friendly people and a generally feel good atmosphere. Live music from Taylor and The Makers as well as Silverfox quartet. If you missed it, check out this; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbU5VazQTYg you can pretend you were there.


If you missed it, you also missed out on my 2010 Xmas range of glass. I sold out!!!

Here's a look at it for those who didn't see it in the flesh.

The next Avoca market will be Sunday February 27th. Save the date now!

The other exciting bit of news is that I will be heading to Canberra next Friday 10th Dec for the official book launch party of Handmade Living, A designer collection.

Yep that's right the book is finally here, hot off the presses. If you want a copy contact me and I will arrange it for you. $39.95 each it is a bargain.

A little by the by is that I have completed 1st year in my degree I am doing through Curtin University as part of the Open University scheme. It has taken 2 years so far but one subject at a time and I am plodding through it. no rest though I have already started my first 2nd year subject.

Brooch Exhibition.

Check out this website to see four of my brooches that are on tour in Victoria with the Contemporary Art Society of Victoria "Brooch the Subject IV" exhibition. www.contemoraryartsociety.org.au head to the gallery pages and on page 10 files 110-113 are my entries. There are some truely interesting and fun brooches to see, amazing what can be done in such a small space.
Also don't forget that this Sunday 28th Nov is the Avoca Beachside Market in Hunter park Avoca Beach. Fingers crossed the rain gods are kind to us this time round and stay away. 9am-2pm just in time for Christmas and such an ideal location.

Avoca Beachside market

What a shame the weather was against the launch of Avoca Beachside market last Sunday. Never fear though, we will try again on Sunday November 28th at Hunter Park next to historic Avoca Beach Picture theatre. Save up all that Christmas shopping and come out for a fun filled bargain hunt before your swim or retreat to the movies.

Emergence III

This piece is called Emergence III, it is cast glass. I used Gaffer glass from New Zealand, I love the colours and find it easy to work with. I am fascinated by the intricacy of an unfurling fern frond. so I used that to create my mould, I also carved into the plaster with my own interpretations of the spirals and delicacy of the subject.
Happily somebody bought this at the Portrait Prize exhibition I was invited to be part of over the October long weekend. I am confident it has gone to a good home and will bring much joy to the household.

Mudgee Splendour

What a wonderful weekend we just enjoyed in Mudgee, visited a few wineries and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This picture is a panoramic view of Thistle Hill Winery, a delicious organic winery producing wines under the guidance of winemaker Michael Slater. Well worth a visit and if you get the opportunity take one of the tours led by Michael, an insightful view of how wine is produced.

Also found a window in St Mary's Catholic Church that was made by John Radecki, a pioneer if not the first great Australian Stained glass artist. The windows here and in the Anglican church across the road are spectacular.

I am surely going to have to return to Mudgee, a surprisingly thriving country town.

On Sunday arvo we went to Mudgee Brewing Co where we were pleasantly surprised by the entertainment, a Canberra based ensemble called Karisma Kats, the singer D J Gosper has the most amazing voice. Her renditions of some golden oldie as well as original jazz and blues numbers were fantastic. Try and get yourself a listen to 'The Hot Flush Blues"

Brooklyn Spring Fair

Sunday provided a glorious Spring day for the Brooklyn Spring Fair. It is now in it's 15th year and is a wonderful day that the whole community of Brooklyn, on the Hawkesbury River, enjoys and benefits from.
I had a stall there and had a great time talking with the many people who looked at my goodies.
I have bought myself a new gazebo and erected it for the first time, with help from my roadie husband. Really pleased with its performance and glad we didn't have to use the sides because of the favourable weather.
I have decided to try to make individual tablecloths for my tables so that I don't have spend so much time trying to get the velvet to hang evenly all around. Such a time waster, but now to find the time to sew. It amazes me that after 15 years of doing markets I am still fine tuning my presentation etc. Guess it would be boring if there was nothing new to learn.
Do you like my new hat? bought it from a neighbouring stallholder. Wore it all day and look forward to taking it on my travels/adventures.

Central Coast Women in Business Awards.

It has been a big weekend for me. On Saturday night I went to the awards dinner at Kooindah Waters for the presentation of the Women in Business Awards. I had been nominated and managed to be named as one of three finalists in the Art and Culture category. Unfortunately I didn't win but what an honour to be a finalist! Niki of A Dozen Roses thought well enough of me and my business, Creative Moods Stained Glass Studio, to nominate me and generously made me a beautiful corsage to wear. She even went so far as to find me green roses, my favourite colour.

I have included a picture of me with Lesley West, CEO of Lifeline on Central coast who was also a finalist in another category.

Women in Business.

Found out I am a finalist in the Women in Business Awards here in the Central Coast. the winner is to be announced on Saturday 11th September. Totally unexpected and now I can't help but wonder about my chances of winning. Have to admit I am excited about this honour. Thanks to Niki of Roses to Go who nominated me. Stay tuned to see what happens.

Fantastic new market.

This was the view from behind my stall for the whole time the Handmade Craft Market was running on Sunday 22nd August. at Erina High school. The place was buzzing. The enthusiasm and positive energy was inspiring. Make certain you don't miss out when the market is on next, Sunday 21st November. Just in time for Christmas. the quality and variety of good available was the best I've seen in a lot of years of marketing. Where have all these talented Central Coast artisans been hiding?


Here is a sneak look at a new range I am introducing, I call it Blue Retro, had a great response to it at Handmade Craft Market.
you will find me at Stall 45 inside the hall, come and say hello tell me you saw my bog and i will give you a discount.

Brooch- The Subject... IV

And now for something completely different.. all 4 of my submitted brooches were accepted for this touring group exhibition in melbourne. How exciting?!. If you are in the area go and have a look, looks like fun to me.

Busy Weekend.

Have been very busy getting ready for the Yarramalong Art Show, have to set up tomorrow so it is all set to go on the weekend. Official opening is at 2pm Saturday.
Then on Sunday I will part of the very first Handmade Craft Market on the Central Coast It is on at Erina High School and there are over 50 stalls and lots of exciting things planned. The first 100 visitors will receive a goody bags, there are lucky door prizes and free face painting and more. check out the website for all the details. http://www.handmadecraftmarket.blogspot.com/
Will show you pictures next week. I have designed a new range for this market I will call it Blue Retro. Be one of the first to see it at the market Sunday.

Artists of the Valleys Art Exhibition.

August is proving to be a very busy month for me. I have numerous leadlight commissions on the go, due out by end of the month. There is always uni work to do as well as the Handmade Craft Market at Erina High school hall on 22nd 10-2pm.
But I have forgotten to mention that I have also been invited to exhibit at the Artists of the Valleys exhibition on 21st and 22nd August. This is held in the Yarramalong School of Arts Hall and features artists from the surrounding valleys who work in various mediums to produce their artworks. It is a beautiful along Yarramalong Road to the small village, past the Lavender Farm and Macadamia Farm. The Yarramalong Manor is a great place for lunch or afternoon tea. Make a day of it. The small entry fee is to raise funds for the maintenance of the hall. So it is a win /win situation for all, the local community and yourselves.

New Book

Received some exciting news yesterday. I have been selected to be included in a new book that will be out December this year. Handmade Living a beautiful coffee table book that is revealing some of Australia's top handmade artisans.
You can pre-order your copy at this site; www.handmademarket.com.au/bookorders.html This will insure that you receive your copy of this limited edition. This is a first for the Australian handmade scene and the people behind the publication have worked long and hard to get it out there. It focuses on my leadlighting and shows one of my favourite windows I've ever designed and made.

Port Macquarie Experience.

Just returned from Port Macquarie where I took part in the inaugural Craft Expo.

This is a picture of my stand there. I was stands 1 & 2. Great location and gave me the chance to create a roomy, showy setup. The blinds behind were raised during the days and I had windows/light on two sides. Perfect to display my glass.

The weather actually cleared up for us and we got the chance to do a bit of the touristy thing and dine at some good restaurants and meet fantastic people.

Also got the opportunity to be a guest on the local community radio 2WAY FM and was interviewed by Suzie West Sunday morning show. What an exciting experience!. Also the local NBN TV broadcaster filmed a segment for the evening news and my glass featured twice in the bulletin.

We even managed to spot some whales and dolphins whilst walking along the well maintained tracks along the beaches. It is a years since last visited Port and wonder why it has taken so long to return, well worth the visit.

Craft Expo.

How cold has it been this week? I've been sporting my beanie and mittens whilst working away on the windows commissioned for a residence in Kincumber. So cold!

Anyway this coming weekend will see us at Port Macquarie for the inaugural Craft Expo at the racecourse. We have sites 1&2 so lots of room to welcome all you lovely people who live there or perhaps are on holidays. Call in and say hello. If you mention my blog I will do you a special deal.
There are plenty of exhibitors and demos to keep you entertained. The full list is on the website. www.craftexpo.org

The picture this entry is of my Coastal range of functional yet decorative glassware. I use a special glass paint that is fired into the glass to create the colour. It is food and dishwasher safe. Just like glaze on pottery.

Picture as promised

Well I managed to go and take some pictures today of the windows installed in St Cecilia's. It is a dull, rainy day so I thought the less direct light would be more effective for pictures. Stained glass is such a difficult thing to photograph. This demonstrates just how tall the windows are at 3 metres in height and 600mm each across. They are made in three panels and have been double glazed with toughened glass on the outside for protection from the weather and idiots.

Installation of St Cecilia Windows

It has finally happened, the windows for St Cecilia"s church have been installed. This is a picture of me at the 2/3 mark. it is a west facing wall so the afternoon sun was proving to be too bright for good photos, I will have to return another day.
The parishioners I have spoken to are incredibly pleased with the results, as am I. I cannot describe the feeling I experienced when I saw St Cecilia's face in place. This is one proud leadlighter.

Winter

This is Coastal my entry for Artscrawl 2010.

The theme for 2010 is "What Goes Around Comes Around- Recycle, Re-use Re-invent."

I have used salvaged glass from demolition sites and reused old farm fence posts to create this piece. The show will be held at Capercaillie Winery Londons Road Lovedale over the June long Weekend. All works will be for sale and it is a beautiful part of the world so why not take yourselves on outing and enjoy some of the area's pleasures.

Here it is the 3rd of June already, Winter is officially with us. There is actually sunshine today, the first I've seen for some days now. Everything is so clean, sparkling in the light. The colours are fresh and strong.

The dampness and coolness is causing havoc with my putty, it doesn't want to set, staying sticky and soft.

The exciting thing is I have finished the windows for St Cecilia's and the glazier is collecting them next week to install (weather permitting). I will post pictures as soon as I can. What a difference they will make to the look and feel of the church, such a departure to the red glass that was there for the last 40+ years.

Real Time.

I have just worked out how to show the real time on my blog. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks? It was not sitting right that my blogs showed up as being written before at some other time. Happy now I have fixed it.

New Gallery.

How exciting?! I have just had a new gallery agree to stock my glass. It is SD Gallery, Shop 3/78 Albert St, Berry NSW. It is my first venture south and fingers crossed it proves successful for both of us. It means that all you lovely people on the South Coast now have easy access to my glass, so take advantage.

This is a detail shot of one of my ranges of painted glassware. I call it "Floral" the paint I use is fired into the glass so it is dishwasher, microwave and food safe. It is equivalent to glaze on ceramics, it is not going to fade or wash off. I think of this design as my happy plates because it is so bright and cheery. It just makes me smile.

Tomorrow morning?!?!

This is a detail view of the platter I entered in this year's Royal Easter Show Art Show. I was awarded 2nd Prize. Maureen Cahill was the judge. Very pleased with myself.

Suppose I should tell you the name of my glass business. It is Creative Moods Stained Glass Studio, check out my website http://www.creativemoods.com.au/ It is always evolving so return to it again and again.

Currently working on windows for one of the local churches. There are 3 windows that are just over 3metres tall, I have to make them in 3 separate panels, so that is 9 panels in all. Very exciting work and progressing well. Wont be long now, before they are installed.

Have a site at the inaugural Port Macquarie Craft Expo in July. Looking forward to being part of it. http://www.craftexpo.org/ for all the info. Hopefully it wont be as cold up there seeing how it is mid winter time!

As I am in Australia this post will be marked as posted before I even write it, funny thing this time business. Anyway it is tomorrow morning here so I had best go and start my day, plenty to do.

Welcome to my world.

Well I have finally succumbed to the world of blogging. After being told continually that I need this method of communication to get my message out there I have finally arrived.
Family always insinuate I talk too much and here I am stumped for words. What do I say and how often? Guess I can only play along and see what eventuates.
So to whoever may read this, welcome to my world.
I own a small business that creates all varieties of glass art. They range from traditional leadlight to copperfoil to kilnworked pieces. They are functional and/or decorative. i am based on the Central Coast of NSW but am prepared to work wherever the need may be. My work has found its way into collections across Australia as well as overseas. America and British Isles seem to be the most popular destinations.