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

Another Busy Week at Lazy Daisy Glass

Daisy Range (above)

I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth - just been keeping myself out of mischief and still busy with customer orders.

I have been making more Lazy Bones Fish as well as the Drifting By fish - these have been my biggest sellers this season. I have been inundated with orders for fish. Took another trip to the beach yesterday to collect more driftwood, which is now drying outside. It's been scorching here of late, so ideal for drying the wood.

Lazy Bones (above)

Drifting By (above)

Have been making more bangles and pendants from my Daisy Range (top) - these are bright summer colours and love making these. I love the colours, they are very summery.

I have just packed an order for a shop in Torquay and sending an order (tomorrow) for a shop in Somerset and an order to complete for a shop on the Isle of Lewis. So Lazy Daisy Glass could be coming to your town soon!

The latest vehicle in the family:

Vroom, vroom - my daughter has a battery powered scooter. It's really cute and can't believe she took to it like a duck to water. Considering she's only two, she grasped the idea of driving it really quickly. She loves it and constantly asks to ride her scooter.

My next event is the Portsoy Boat Festival (this Saturday and Sunday) so now busy making some glass goodies for the event.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

Happy Birthday - Look Who's Two

Just celebrated our daughter's 2nd birthday (last Saturday) and we took her to a local Playbarn. It's newly opened and it is enormous. Our daughter wasn't content with playing in the under 4's section, she had to explore the over 4's part. The playbarn is so big that I couldn't see her in certain areas, so I did what all mums do - I had to go and play of course! I took her to the very top and we both came down the slides - it was great fun, although have to say I don't have as much energy as her - I was beetroot red and absolutely shattered! She certainly gave me a run for my money. She had a whale of the time:

And opening of her presents of course:

No - the dolly's hat doesn't fit you! (above)

Playing mummy (above)

No - the doll's cot is far too small for you, or maybe not (above)

Each time we had "Happy Birthday Cake" as she would call it - of course it had to have a candle as she wanted to blow the candle out. This was the following day; cake and candle:

We all had a great weekend, enjoying the celebrations. Although we cannot believe how quickly the two years have passed. She is an absolute pleasure to have around and we love her to bits.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

Royal Cornwall Show - Update

Firstly, I must apologise for the lack of posts lately - have been extremely busy with orders (satill am - they just keep coming).

Well, it seems an era since returning from the Royal Cornwall Show - I have to say that I was a tad disappointed with sales. With such a high footfall, I was expecting good results, but alas, they never came. Also, there were 8 (if I remember) glass artists within the marquee, which is a lot of competition. After day one, I decided to reduce my prices (after a very nice man, and fellow glass artist advised) - he informed me that there are alot of glass artists in Cornwall and compeition is very high. Whereas, I have relatively no competition in my area.

The third day proved to be a lot better, but think that the rain drove people in to the marquee and people started spending, yippee.

Anyway, it wasn't all doom and gloom - I was situated next to Jon Cleave, creator of Gully - a series of childrens books. Jon is a talented bloke, as well as being the author, he's illustrator and publisher of his own books, and a real character (he had us in stiches). Not only that, he brought his friend along on Friday - actor Ian McNeice - he plays Bert in Doc Martin. I bought a couple of books from Jon and had them signed by himself and Ian McNeice. Proper job!

Jon Cleave (author) and Ian McNeice (above)

We were camping on site and this was also a family affair - some family members joined us and we had a ball. Although I was busy, I didn't have much time for anything other than work and sleep.

Our new 6 berth tent - loads of room

The view from our pitch - looking down to Padstow

Overall, weather was good, caught up with family, met an author and actor, ate a Cornish pasty (OMG I miss them so much!!) and had a chat with some old friends.

I'm glad to say that my next event is the Portsoy Boat Festival which is only 30 minutes away.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx