Lead 'cloth' !!!!!!!

I went to an exhibition at the weekend, where Sue Lawty, the artist, showed some pieces using woven lead. It was so rich, it made me appreciate the textural quality of the material all over again. Unfortunately the exhibition's over, but this photo will give you an idea.

Summer schools at Falmouth University College

Here's some details of some summer workshops in Glass coldworking and mould making at Falmouth University College.
Contact details are at the bottom of the page.

Glass coldworking 3 day workshop
Summerschool
16th, 17th and 18th July 2007

Coldworking is a term used to describe cutting, engraving, grinding and polishing to produce a finished piece of glass. This workshop will introduce you to some of those processes and specialist machinery so that by the end of the workshop you will be able to finish your own piece of kiln-formed glass. You could choose to bring along glass items that you have been previously made, or be given a block of glass to work on as a means to introducing you to the machinery and hand grinding techniques. It is preferable to bring along cast glass items but some of the processes will also suit fused and slumped glass work.

Students would need to bring along: permanent maker pen or chinagraph pencil, a container for water eg, a plastic bottle, ppe (plastic apron), mask, craft knife and rubber gloves

Cost £180


Mould making for glass slumping and open casting

Summerschool
10th and 11th July 2007

This workshop will introduce you to basic mould making recipes so that simple, yet versatile moulds can be produced for two differing Kiln-formed glass processes. It depends what type of glass you place into/over a mould and the temperature to which the kiln is fired as to what the end result will be: Sheet glass can either be slumped into or over a mould in the kiln to create a new form and texture. Gentle, controlled heating of the surface of the sheet glass causes it to soften and deform in the kiln. Alternatively, glass cullet (chunks of broken glass) can be placed into a mould and heated until the glass melts to take on a solid shape (open casting). You will have the opportunity to make models out of a variety of materials, and working on a small scale, be able to begin to explore both processes. It would be beneficial if you had some experience of glass cutting in order to take full advantage of the time available.

Cost £199

Book the glass coldworking workshop at the same time and save £44
Both workshops £335

For further information please call:
Vicki Brotherhood, Design Centre Bureau Service Co-Ordinator on: 01326 370756 or email:- vic.brotherhood@falmouth.ac.uk

I hope I've mastered this blogger stuff. This is a stained glass picture of John Wesley from Westbury Park Methodist Church. We are now a joint ecumenical parish with St Alban's and a new ecumenical minister, Emma. I could show some pieces from both churches now. St Alban's has some lovely stuff since it was a church built during the Arts and Crafts movement. Unfortunately, thieves stole the lead from the roof last week and it has just got submerged in the heavy rain. So much for our modern cultural movements.

Mark Angus - latest work

Mark Angus sent me an email with these images this morning. They're for an exhibition at Ely glass museum next August entitled 'returning faces'. Mark says of his current work:
"The figure has grown in importance with me over the last years, and I now have time to develop as an artist, and can enjoy to explore my themes for myself. In past years this luxury was very hard to find! I paint a lot and have work on canvas, on flat glass, but also on blown forms, vases and large plates. These are really very exciting, and are popular in galleries too."

Display ideas

A nifty idea from Bullseye for all those pieces you have no idea how to display... couldn't find them on the Creative Glass website, but that's not to say they don't sell them!

Queen Jules rules

Julia's presentation for the 2007 Stevens Competition


The section of the design Julia made for the competition

These are photos of Esteemed Student Julia Rowe's entry to this years' Stevens Architectural Glass Competition. It's an annual event that gives entrants a stab at winning a real-life commission, although it's quite often not the winner of the competition who wins the commission! It involves designing, presenting and making a sample section of your design, and involves lots of work.
Take a closer look at Julia's presentation - on the right hand side she's superimposed her proposed design into photos taken on site. Brilliant.