Santa and his Reindeers

I haven't been very busy blogging these days as I am concentrating on designing new products for the Glasgow trade fair at the end of January and keeping up with Christmas orders. Pressure is definitely on and have been beavering away in my studio.

I took a well-earned break yesterday and took my daughter to visit Santa and his reindeers. I drove to the Cairngorms near Aviemore and we had a fantastic day out. Christmas is not Christmas without seeing reindeers in the mountains.

We walked along Loch Morlich - it was very atmospheric. Thick frost covered the ground, the beautiful forest surrounding the loch and the white tipped mountains in the background. Loch Morlich is in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park:

Not forgetting fat Robin Redbreast - he really was a well-fed birdie:

On the way back we stopped in Aviemore itself and had a late lunch - the restaurant looked out to the mountains and it was just picture perfect. The white tipped mountains were surrounded by a pale pink sky after the sun had set, which reflected off the snow. Didn't take any photos of this as we were eating inside, but believe me it was beautiful.

And to top it off, we saw the steam train puff by with Santa in it - it had finished for the day and was going back to its station.

A perfect day with my gorgeous daughter!!

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Recent Firings

It's been a while since my last post, so I thought I would let you see what I've been making. This firing was a mixture of experimental things and some items for fairs. It's all very colourful.

I have the kiln programmed for a firing tonight - I raided the local pub for some bottles and will be making cheeseboards. These have proved very popular lately - a good christmas gift - a great idea to give to someone who has everything!

I will be at Delgatie Castle in Turriff tomorrow from 10am - 4pm. The castle is holding it's annual Victorian Christmas Fair.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

A Tidy Studio

Have some units in my studio now and everything is tidy (for now). As time goes on, it will not continue to look like this!!

Hubby has been working very hard lately to get my studio finished and units installed - so a big thanks to him. He's yet to install some units opposite so I will have plenty of workspace. One side will house my cold working tools/machines and the other space is for all my cutting and making. It all sounds very organised - one tries!!!

Here's my latest tool - a work station to hold my drill. I will now be able to make holes in glass. I have just ordered some clock movements, so will now be able to experiment with clocks.

I have so many ideas - never enough hours though.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

We've been having some weird weather lately - one minute it's sunny and mild, the next day it's -4. I was waiting for a friend to visit last week and looked out of the window and saw this amazing double full rainbow. I fetched my camera and took these colourful shots. It was so pretty.

"I love the rainbow with its shades of blue and green

I love the way the rainbow tells itself to you

I love the way the rainbow lights up the sunny sky

I love the way the rainbow tells the truths that are a lie

I love the rainbow with its every brightly coloured shade

I love the way the rainbow lights up a sunny day"

A poem by Paula Glynn

Hope you enjoyed that

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Bring Your Own Bottle

I decided to slump a batch of bottles as my first firing - just in case anything disastrous happened and didn't want to ruin my fusing glass.

But as it happened, everything turned out great. Now I have some nice bottles to sell as cheeseboards/platters. I have slumped a few in my small kiln, but could only make one at a time (I did say it was a small kiln!!) - which is not cost effective or efficient. However, each one I made sold really quickly so there is definitely a demand for them. People like them because they are quirky.

I'm now experimenting with the items and having lots of fun.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Cupcakes - Baking Day

We had our first baking day last weekend - and made these yummy cupcakes. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed herself. She even has her own apron:


She helped mixing the ingredients and putting it onto the cake cases:

When I said she could lick the bowl - she took it literally:

She even enjoyed the washing up - she's going to be a domestic goddess, me thinks!!

And the cupcakes tasted scrummy!!

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Kiln - Up and Running

At last - my kiln has now been connected and it's all systems GO!!

I have done my test fire - this was to check that the program unit is working correctly, I then had to fire the kiln empty - to settle the kiln.

Now, I have some test pieces in the kiln on full fire and these will be ready tomorrow.

I went into my studio today and was sweating - the kiln generates so much heat!!

I will be busy now creating new pieces for the Spring Trade Show at the SECC, Glasgow (January 2010).

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Fired with Imagination - Blog Giveaway

Joy Funnell over at Fired with Imagination is having a great giveaway - you could be in with a chance of winning this beautiful Purple Heart. The heart is made from Art Clay Silver with an enamelled purple centre.

You should check out Joy's work, she is a fantastic art clay silver artist and produces some wonderful jewellery.

Hurry, the giveaway ends this weekend. Good luck

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

A Nice Day Out

I visited Logie Steading today as I had an order to drop off - the weather was so wonderful that I took the daughter to play in the play park, then we talked to the horses and Highland cows (or hairy cows as my daughter calls them). Logie Steading and Estate is in such a beautiful location - in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by fields and trees. Here's the Highland Cow:


I then drove on to Nairn - a lovely seaside town. I dropped off some more stock for Caledonian Craft Connections and then decided to go to the beach. If it's nice weather I always take my daughter to the beach for a run around. The weather was lovely and mild, just a little cloudy.

We came across this mermaid in the sand - isn't it fab. Someone took along time to create this masterpiece.

The beach also gave me an opportunity to take some photos of my popular Lazy Bones fish:

I will be exhibiting at Scotland's Trade Fair in January at the SECC, Glasgow and have been lucky enough to have been selected and will be featured in trade magazines. Hence the need to take some photos at the beach - Lazy Bones fish above.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Dichroic Cabochons

These are some of the dichroic cabochons I have recently been making - stocking up for Christmas.

This is a busy time of year for me, as I attend local craft fairs, coffee mornings etc and will be attending the Glasgow Christmas Show on 19/20 December. A two day event in the Royal Concert Halls - I haven't done this event before, so fingers crossed there will be lots of last minute shoppers.

I have made some of these slider pendants:

I bought a few of the silver mounted pendants to try back in the summer - they sold really quickly, so I will now be adding them to my website (later tonight). They look great hanging on leather thong - it really suits this design of pendant.

The circular patterned pendants are also very popular and usually sell quickly. Will be adding these to my website over the next couple of days.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Blog Giveaway - Winners

I have been running two giveaways lately - the first was to win the craft goodies, along with the Raspberry Ripple pendant and the other was to win your favourite chocolate bar (as it was Chocolate Week last week).

I'm pleased to say that the winner of the craft/pendant giveaway was Purple Sparkle Crafts (picked at random through random.org - which picked No. 1). This is one of the pendants that Rebecca at Purple Sparkle will be receiving - yummy, Raspberry Ripple.And the winner of the chocolate bar giveaway was Carolee Crafts, as there were only three entries, it was easy enough to write their tickets out.

Well done ladies - please contact me with your address.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Chocolate Week - What's your Favourite??

Did you know it's chocolate week?

Nor did I, until I saw a feature in a magazine at the weekend. There was even a 2 day chocolate event in London to celebrate (if only I lived closer, I would have been first in line!!).

How to recognise good chocolate

The quality and provenance of the cocoa beans and the manufacturing process is vital just as it is for fine wines.The country of origin & quality of the cocoa bean is far more important than the country in which chocolate is made. If your chocolate is primarily sold on the basis of the country it was made in, you are probably buying overpriced, low grade chocolate.Ideally chocolate should contain a minimum cocoa content of 60%+ for dark and 30%+ for milk. However, just because a chocolate contains 70% cocoa does not mean it is good – if the cocoa beans, original ingredients and the production processes are not good, then you are not buying good chocolate.Chocolate shouldn’t really contain anything you don’t recognise - so if you see an ‘e’ number, artificial preservatives or hydrogenated fats, think again... (Information taken from the Chocolate Week website)

As chocolate is so near to my heart (any belly), I thought I might tempt you with some chocolate goodies:

Chocolate & Fuscia Baby Bootees - Funky Shapes

(not quite edible, but delicious all the same)

Chocolate Cupcakes - Cancer Research UK

Chocolate Cupcake Wooden Hanger - Hutch Potch

Chocolate Bag - Retro Faerie

Chocolate Eclairs - Woolly Duck

I hoped that tickled your taste buds!!

As I'm feeling so generous at the moment (doesn't happen often), I will also be giving away your favourite chocolate bar. If you would like to be in with a chance of winning, just leave a comment letting me know what your favourite chocolate is. International entries welcome!!

Please also feel free to enter my earlier blog giveaway.

Good luck

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Blog Giveaway

I've decided to have another giveaway - to celebrate two things; it's my birthday this weekend and I will be hitting another milestone on my blog (10,000 visitors).

That seemed a good enough reason to hold a giveaway.

It's a 'crafty' giveaway this time with some paper crafting supplies; Christmas scrapbook paper, glitter, butterfly, felt and sparkly embellishments, ornate rubber stamp (not in photo) AND one of my fused glass pieces of course. One of these Raspberry Ripple pendants:

For your chance to be in with a chance to win all these goodies, simply leave a comment and tell me what your favourite cake is - no doubt I will be indulging in lots of birthday cake on Sunday!!

Open to international visitors also - don't be shy!!

Good luck

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Studio Update

My studio is coming along nicely (the above photo is the entrance corridor). The hubby has worked really hard getting it ready - he has just laid the floating floor and done the taping/jointing.

Against the far wall is where the kiln will be (above)

I'm really pleased with it and it's a great space. It has taken a long time, but hubby does work full time, then he comes home and works on the studio evenings and weekends (mostly).

It's nearly ready for my spanking new kiln - I just can't wait to start using it.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Blog Giveaway

If you like giveaways, you'll love this one.

Over at KS Jewellery Design you could be in with a chance to win these 'Lilac Little' beauties, BUT with a custom made option, so you can even choose your own stones to suit you.

And if you're thinking to yourself that you never win anything, why bother - I have recently won TWO giveaways and have received some beautiful items.

Go on, it's worth a go...

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

HOTP - Magazine Commission

Just a quick post :

Great news - I have been approached by a monthly jewellery magazine to do a commission item with a tutorial. I am now waiting on further instructions, but can't wait to start.

I think it will be featured next month - which will tie in well with Christmas.

Once the details have been finalised I will provide information.

Until then......watch this space!!

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass, xx

New Products

I have just listed some new items on my website - Silver mounted scarf clips with dichroic glass cabochons (above).

I really love the bright blue dichroic glass pendant with antiqued filigree accent (below):

And finally, some Totem pendants have been added to my website. The photos never do the product justice. They look much better when worn! Believe me, whenever I attend a craft fair/event, people comment on how nice and unusual they are:

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Special Delivery ........... I'm the Proud Mother of

George, my new kiln - isn't it fantastic. Yes, I've named my kiln George, don't know why, just thought I should name it, being it's new mummy.

I've been waiting for my kiln for quite a few weeks and now it's here!!

When I first told my hubby the size, he said "that's not a problem, it'll easily fit into the shed". I tried to express my concerns - "it's very heavy and very bulky", I said.

You see, my hubby is so horizontal about everything and never worries about anything. Today however, that all changed. Just seeing the look on his face when he saw it parked on the driveway. "How heavy is it?", he asked, "324kg", I replied, "OH", was the response. It was one of those - I told you so moments.

I'm sure he was thinking IKEA built it and it came flat-packed!!

I'm also proud to say that:

Yes, that's right, the kiln is built in the UK - now you don't see that very often, do you??

Now, it's going to be a three-man job trying to get it into my new studio. Can't wait to see that!

Ummmm, how we gonna get that in there then???

Here's George, stripped naked - this is his temporary home, hubby now has to take the panelling down to fit through to my studio. That's a job for another day. Just as well I have a very handy man to do all these jobs for me!

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx