COAST Art Festival - A Success

COAST is over and I can now relax, well until I start work again first thing tomorrow morning. Then it's busy, busy, busy - working for Royal Cornwall Show.

I had a great time, meeting the other artists and also had very good sales. The interesting thing is that the Lazy Bones Fish and Drifting By Fish were the most popular (again). I was also really pleased to sell one of my bigger pieces:

'Riding High'

This is some of my work and stand. The stand was a little strange, as I arrived later in the day to set up, it seems that other people were allocated my stand, but could not work with the space, so it was left for me. The space consisted of two small concertina-like areas and first thoughts were OMG, what an earth can I do with that. And certainly couldn't fit all of my stuff as I only needed one wall, but two large tables. But after re-arranging things here and there and taking my display shelving it looked pretty good and the space worked well.

Reef Bowl (above)

I also have to say a big thanks to our friends, Ray and Sue (currently visiting us from London) who have been busy looking after our daughter. She absolutely adores Ray and has been attached to his arm all weekend. Even I don't get a look in:

And here is Sue - reading a story (above)

My next event is now Royal Cornwall Show, so have a busy few days ahead to get everything made. I will be exhibiting from Thursday 4th June - Saturday 6th June inclusive. If you will be there, please pop by and say hello.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

A Tidy Studio - At last

I've been so busy of late, that my studio has become very untidy and have to say, this causes more stress than anything else. I'm losing stuff, tripping, and cutting myself - no wonder I'm stressed. It's quite embarrassing showing such disarray:

Very Untidy!

My working surface - lack thereof!!

Hubby has saved the day once again - over the weekend he said "just popping out", about an hour later, he arrived home with a van full of cabinets. He bought some cabinets and a worktop for my studio and kindly set about putting it all together in the afternoon. I think he was fed up with me losing stuff and seeing a very untidy room, so decided to surprise me with storage. What a surprise and it has made the world of difference - in mind and being - the room feels completely changed:

Ahh, that's better - I feel much better now!

I have enough storage for my new branded boxes, packaging, new stock and completed jobs.

I love these little jars of glass frit (crushed glass), it brightens the room:

Now, as I'm feeling raring to go, I had better go and make some more glass goodies.

My daughter was quite unwell end of last week and had to rush her to the doctors, so a little behind of my work. But she's alot better now and back to her normal gorgeous self.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

Busy, Busy, Busy - Retail Orders & Fused Glass Jewellery

I haven't posted as much as I normally do, due to the fact that I have many retail orders to complete. I am also preparing for the COAST Art Festival that takes place in Banff next weekend. My kiln has never been busier! In fact I have been so busy that I had to call upon the services of fellow glass artist Natalie Aird (http://www.natalieaird.co.uk/) - she let me use her kiln to catch up with orders. A huge thanks to Natalie for this - it made a huge difference to my stress levels. The picture above is the fish ready to be fired and below are the fired ones:

Whilst visiting Natalie, their resident squirrels decided to make an appearance and came to feed:

There were two red squirrels that appeared and were so cute. I know they are vermin, but can't help but think they are cute!

I've also been working on some new designs to add to my jewellery range:

Retro Range (above) - available in Cobalt, Sky Blue & Sunflower

Pebbles Range (above) - organic in shape, using decorative glass with pebble-like shapes

Daisy Range (above) - summer colours with black speckled decorative glass.

Available in pendants with matching bracelets

I have yet to add these to my website (which may take a few days). And finally, the photo below is a part order (one of many!), labelled, boxed and ready for delivery. My branded boxes FINALLY arrived as well. I have been waiting for over two weeks for my boxes, and now they are here, I am pleased with the colour and finish.

Oh, I have also been tagged, courtesy of Kookie Designs (www.kookiedesigns.blogspot.com) which I will add over the next few days.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

Not Now Mummy - I'm Working

Where would I be without my laptop - I have to say it's my saviour. It was a birthday present from my hubby (one of the better ideas he's had!!).

I popped out of the front room to make a cup of coffee, walked back in and saw a little person on the sofa with my laptop. "What do you think you're doing, young lady" I said, to which she replied "working on puter", pressing the keys frantically. Well, I just cracked up, bless her, she's not even two yet. She hears it from me, when she wants a story read to her, I'm usually quite busy and usually say "not now baby, Mummy's working". So you can guess where she picked it up from.

Now, I put the 'puter' down, as she calls it, and I always read her stories.

Slimming World - weigh-in results: I put on 0.5 lb this week, but wasn't at all surprised after going out for a beautiful meal at the Craigellachie Hotel - it was our anniversary last Saturday, so we had a bit of the blow out (well, I did anyway) and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

Next Event - The COAST Art Festival

Now that the Aviemore Trade Show is over - phew, I will of course be busy with orders for the next couple of weeks.

I applied to the COAST Art Festival earlier this year to ask if I could exhibit. The organiser appreciated my work and I have been accepted to appear in their art exhibition. The festival will be running from 22nd - 25th May (inclusive) with a variety of events; sand sculpting, textile art workshops, metal cating workshop, even childrens art workshops.

About COAST

COAST Festival has been designed to build on the existing interest and demand for creative activity in the Banffshire coast area, notably the existence and activities of Duff House which hosts collections of the National Galleries and the growing demand for arts-tourism in the area whereby visitors can participate in art courses as well as having the opportunity to view and celebrate art created by others.COAST has a strong professional structure designed to drive forward the implementation of the Festival. It is run by The Banffshire Visual Arts Festival Ltd, a company set up by a voluntary Board of Directors consisting of local Business people and Artists. COAST also has a public Festival Forum Group made up of local artists, business people and other members of the community who contribute to shaping the event and where appropriate, this group includes a representative from Aberdeenshire Council's Arts Development Team and the Manager of Duff House Country House Gallery.

Slimming World - Weigh-in Results: I have been busy over the last couple of weeks and haven't posted my results. Two weeks ago I stayed the same and last week I lost another 2 pounds. Total weight loss so far - 11.5 lbs (and had a huge chilli burger and chips on the way home from the trade show - to celebrate all my orders, oh and a bar of chocolate!). I don't know if I will lose this week as we went out for a very delicious meal last night with lots of wine and champagne - hick. Well, it was our anniversary.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx