Blog Giveaway - Summer Sizzler

I've decided to have a giveaway as I haven't organised one for a while. But for what purpose I hear you say, well nothing in particular - I just felt like it. And it may cheer everyone up due to the lack of summer sizzling weather!!

All I'm asking is that you leave a comment in this post and try and help me reach 100 fans on my Facebook Business Page. Click on this link - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Keith-United-Kingdom/Lazy-Daisy-Glass/55255965842?ref=share and become a fan.

My Facebook page for Lazy Daisy Glass already has some fans, so hopefully it shouldn't take too long to get to 100. The competition will run to 31 August, or until I reach 100 fans on Facebook, whichever is the soonest. Open to international participants.

So here's the deal:

1) Leave a comment on this post - one entry

2) Become a fan on my Facebook business page - five entries

3) Blog about it on your own page - five entries (as long as you post a link to this blog)

This is the stash the winner will receive:

one of these - Totem or Labyrinth pendants

Harris Tweed & Fused Glass Brooch

Pop Art Ring

Daisy Range - pendant with matching bracelet

A Lazy Bones Hanger

I'll throw in some earrings and some more bits and pieces.

That's your chance of having multiple entries, so what are you waiting for........

(I got this idea from Murano Silver - http://www.muranosilver.blogspot.com/)

Good luck
Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Fused Glass - Spey Bay

I have been quite busy over the last few days - I have made another free standing piece using the double curve mould. This piece has been fired twice; the first firing to make the coloured strips, the second to create the wave shape.

After the first firing, the strips needed to be cold worked to create a standing piece. This means that I had to grind one edge on each of the pieces in order for them to stand. The rough edges would then be made smooth during the second firing.

I just love these pieces - so simple, but effective. The little bubbles that are created during the firing process just adds a further decorative feature. I love the bubbles.

Look how the light reflects through the glass pieces, this photo was taken away from the window. You can imagine how this would look on a window sill - quite stunning. This three piece is called "Spey Bay" and it will be for sale at the Speyfest event this Saturday.

I have just packed this customer order and sent it off -

One of the bracelets will be going to the other side of the world - Australia. The customer passed on a lovely compliment to me when we spoke on the phone - her daughter was visiting the UK around Christmas time and received one of my dichroic glass pendants as a gift. She then went to a local shop and bought five more. Apparently, she loved my work. These comments are always nice to hear!!

I currently have the kiln on, full of Labyrinth pendants, studs and one-off designs. Will show them off soon.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Back to the Land of Make and Do

I'm back into the swing of things this week - after my short relaxing break, I've now got to get back to the land of make and do. I have finally posted the last parcel off to another retail outlet, the last order from Aviemore Trade Show. This is the reason I put my feet up for a short while - it was a relief to get all the orders done.

Recently I have had enquiries from retail outlets (in other areas) that have seen my jewellery in the shops in Moray and have contacted me to ask if I can supply them. This is great news for me - more orders!! A new retail outlet order above - an order for my Labyrinth and Totem pendants. The shop owner said they were "like small sculptures and different from the usual dichroic pendants". What a very nice comment to hear - I must be doing something right!

I haven't made slider pendants for a while, they can either be a hit or miss and not all of them come out that well (especially working with textured dichroic glass). I have spent that last couple of firings filling the space with these pendants. I will put them on to leather thong and list them shortly on my website.

Slider Pendants (above)

I've also got to make some decorative glass pieces for Speyfest - this is a local celtic music festival in Fochabers. It's a great festival and very well attended. I have booked two tables - one for my jewellery, the other for glass wall art and decorative pieces. The craft fair is on Saturday 1 August, so only have a week left to get my act together!! I love this piece I recently sold (at Portsoy Boat Festival) so will be making similar ones for Speyfest:I don't know what it is about the fish theme, but most of my glass goodies seem to focus on fish.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Oh I do like to be beside the Seaside.....

As summer has arrived and there is no toddler group, I usually take my daughter out for picnics. The weather was warm and sunny today, it seemed a perfect day to go to the beach. I packed a small picnic for the two of us and we were off - to Roseisle Beach. I have never been to Roseisle Beach before and was pleasantly surprised, it was quiet and well sheltered. You have to drive through Roseisle Forest to get to the beach, it is a beautiful setting.

We were having a great time, building sandcastles, collecting shells and paddling, until my daughter decided to run straight into the sea. Something she's never done before, and something I would like to experience again!! She just kept running and she got out of her depth (because of the sloping shoreline), a wave broke over her and she was under the water. Luckily, I was only feet away and had to rescue her from the sea, so we both ended up drenched. I didn't even have time to think about how cold it was! She's ok, a little stunned and needed a big cuddle. I didn't think I could scream - until today!!!
Anyway, we had our picnic and had a lovely morning. We took the coastal route home and stopped for an ice-cream in Hopeman:

And now this evening, it's pouring with rain - typical!

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

A Relaxing Time and New Glass

Haven't done much in terms of glass over the last week as I have been taking a little rest. Life has been completely made since I attended the Trade Show back in April, and have been needing to spend some quality time with my daughter. And its been wonderful, we've had a great time.

Today we went to a birthday party in the village and had a fab time. I even managed a couple of glasses of Shampoo - as I wasn't driving!

Being carted around in a toy push-along

Earlier this week I took delivery of some rather fancy glass:
Not sure what I will be doing with it yet, but couldn't resist!! Although I will have to keep the pink/black/white glass separate from my usual fusing glass as it is a different COE (Coefficient of Expansion), which basically means that glass expands and contracts at different rates during the heating process. If they are similar, they will 'fit' or will be compatible once fused.

I normally work with COE90 (which seems to be the more popular), but the new glass I ordered is COE96 and will have to be fused together with other COE96 glass.

Who would have thought that glass could be so technical!

But that's the joy of what I make and do. I still get a buzz from opening the kiln and not knowing what will greet me - sometimes you are really surprised with what comes out, but also, some disappointments. Not all firings are successful, you can get glass slippages and moisture, that can completely ruin a piece. But I still love my job.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Harris Tweed Brooches - New

I recently made some Harris Tweed and fused glass brooches and have been selling them around the local craft fairs. As they have been so popular, I decided to add them to my website. They are made from genuine Harris Tweed - purchased direct from the handweaver on the Isle of Lewis and available in light grey, dark grey and black.

The fused glass cabochon is a clear glass circle with a coloured millefiore fused into the centre. I have been wanting to try mixing different materials for a while, but haven't had the time to experiment.

They are listed on my website - http://www.lazydaisyglass.co.uk/ourshop/prod_493160-Harris-Tweed-Brooches.html - at a price of £8. The brooches each have three layers of materials, which has been frayed around the edges and the brooch fastening has a safety catch mechanism.

I also listed some Pop Art rings - these have proved popular at the local fairs as well and I think they are bright and sunny, ideal for summer. So many people comment on them, saying they look like sweeties:

Have some glass goodies to make today, but this morning I will be taking my daughter swimming. We will be meeting our friend at the pool and going to have a splishy, splashy time.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

Spotlight on Sticks and Stones Photography

I met Moragh at the Cullen Craft fair this weekend and spent some time talking about websites, marketing etc. Her Stones photography is very quirky and funny:

Meet James and Dougal - aren't they funny

Moragh lives in NE Scotland and sells her work online: http://www.sticksandstonesphotography.co.uk/ - check out her site. I love the stones, and looks like she is introducing The Shells: Of course, there are more 'sensible' shots as well, and particularly like this one of Cullen Pier:

Hope you enjoyed the photos.

Cullen was a bit dull today and it just rained all day, which I think put people off from visiting the craft fair. Sales were slightly better, people seemed to come in the last hour of the day. Hey, and I won two raffle prizes.

My neighbour, who had a stall at the craft fair has persuaded me to go surfing. Yeah that's right... surfing!! At your age, I hear you say. Anything for a laugh, I say! So we've been dreaming of what it might be like - hunky surf instructor, driving his VW camper, listening to The Beach Boys, drinking beers round the camp fire on the beach ........ hey, hey, hey. BUMP - back to reality. We actually met the instructor today - he's 6" tall, hasn't got a campervan and certainly doesn't like The Beach Boys. I ask myself, what surfer dude doesn't like the Beach Boys??

Me and Kirsty surfing (NOT)

So it looks like me and Kirsty (thanks Kirsty for volunteering me to go surfing) will be riding the waves shortly.... I'll update when this happens.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

New Display - Acrylic Cube System

A package arrived yesterday, just in time for my craft fair today. What was it, I hear you ask, well it's my new acrylic cube display - looks rather professional don't you think?. I've been wanting to use something on my display that would add height and extra room and have been searching around on the internet for a while - so decided this would be the most suitable. Here it is in action today, at Cullen Craft Fair.

I'm really pleased with the effect and can now display more objects, which includes some of my glass art. Craft fair tables are not generous in size and always struggled fitting everything on them - and that was just the jewellery!

The fair wasn't particularly busy today, so hopefully the hoards of people will be visiting tomorrow!

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

Spotlight on Murano Silver

I have been a fan of Nic at Murano Silver for some time now. She has helped me in the past with my fine silver issues and she has such a wealth of information. AND she is always willing to help. She is now running a giveaway on her blog (http://www.muranosilver.blogspot.com/) and is trying to publicise her business page on Facebook.

She also runs a PMC Tips blog - for those who experiment and work with Precious Metal Clay should look at this blog also. It's full of hints and tips for those interested in PMC and Art Clay.

Why not pop over the Nic's blog and enter her giveaway - you could win one of these goodies and more:

So, what you need to do to enter this fantastic giveaway is visit Nic's blog, leave a comment, become a fan on her Facebook page and follow her blogs - this would give you multiple entries.

Good luck.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

Portsoy Boat Festival

What a busy weekend and fantastic weather. I attended the Portsoy Boat Festival yesterday and today and had a great (although tiring) weekend AND both days were sunny and hot. The event usually suffers bad weather and is often a washout.

Saturday morning started slow and we (my crafting buddy and I) both thought it wasn't going to pick up, but we were busy in the afternoon and today was exactly the same.

I was thrilled that my 3 piece slumped set sold - it's now going to take pride of place on someone's mantle. I took lots of fishies, but it was the dichroic glass jewellery that was more popular - people even buying Christmas presents!!.

It was an eventful weekend, with lots of races taking place, pipe band, local heritage marquee, craft marquees and traditional crafts (spinning, weaving, knitting etc).

Wood Carvings (above)

Boatbuilding Skills (above)

Our friend Sue of 'Ewe can Too' spinning (above)

The setting in Portsoy is beautiful around the harbour side and take a look at this view in the restaurant marquee:

Restaurant overlooking the bay

I did of course indulge in the local strawberries and the famous Arbroath Smokies - absolutely delicious!!

Arbroath Smokies (above)

Another busy weekend next week - I will be attending Cullen Craft Fair.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

New Slumping and Casting Moulds

I have some new moulds to play around with, but as yet, I have been so busy with customer orders, that I haven't had a chance to play much. The large bowl mould is 27cm in diameter so a good size to make bowls - I am hoping to make some 'fishie' themed bowls.

I had a quick play with the large round slumping mould and used it to make my 'Reef' bowl (below). The glass is salmon in colour, so it does actually look like a coral reef, slumped into a bowl with clear glass. With a set of rubber feet on the base, it looks a treat on the table.

Ready for the first fire (above)

The end result - Reef bowl (above)

The smaller casting moulds will be used to melt frit (crushed glass) - I've yet to try these ones. I will probably use these to make decorative panels and tack-fuse the heart/star on to them.

I'm now getting ready; packing my glassware for tomorrow's event: The Portsoy Boat Festival. Hopefully the weather will remain calm and sunny (but not too hot!!). Heat inside a gazebo can be unbearable.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

Hot, Hot, Hot - then Not!!

Totem Pendants

I have recently made a batch of Totems - back by popular demand. So many people have been asking for these lately, but I had lost my creative juices for making these. They take a bit of thought and I couldn't get my head around the designs, so haven't made any for a while. They will be added to my website over the next couple of days.

Well, it's certainly been hot, hot, hot lately - too hot to be couped-up inside my studio, when the kiln has been on! You can imagine the heat the kiln gives off - together with the sunny weather we've been having. I tend to work mainly in the evenings to avoid so much heat.

It was 28 degrees today, very sunny and hot - We (daughter and I) have been having picnics in the garden every day. It's great to be in the garden, but, it doesn't get my orders done! We were enjoying the weather this afternoon when the heavens opened, and we had torrential rain, with thunder and lightening. It was mad. Can't say that it has cleared the air though - now it's quite clammy.

Flooding - from the torrential rain today (above)

I'm now looking out of the window and there is a pinkish sky, so perhaps the good weather will return tomorrow (yes, it's 10.45pm and it's still daylight!!).

One of my customer orders (well part order, the rest has been packaged) - this lot was sent to Somerset:

Pop Art Pendants and Dinkies

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx