Dichroic Glass Pendants - New Designs

I have been busy gluing and sticking recently - these are my newest designs and will be added to my website over the next couple of days.

The photo shows one pendant with a sterling chain and one with a leather thong - which one do you prefer?? Let me know what you think.

I'm edging towards the leather thong, simply because it hangs better in the bail. Plus I don't make many thong pendants (apart from the sliders), so would make a change.

This heart pendant is not a new design, but the colour is new - I will be adding this colour to my website as well. This colour is electric blue:

Have to pack some glass goodies to a new gallery in Dumfries and Galloway today and will be making more large Lazy Bones fish.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Dichroic Fused Glass Jewellery - New Items on Website

I have added some new items to my website, the heart pendants above, some more slider pendants, the wave bangle and fused glass coasters.

Don't forget, I'm running a summer giveaway and you can still enter:

http://lazydaisyglass.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-giveaway-summer-sizzler.html

I'm giving a huge array of glass goodies, so what are you waiting for.

The main reason is to try and reach 100 fans on my Facebook business page - so far it 71, which is good going. So if you fancy keeping up to date with more business stuff, become a fan on my Facebook page. You will find a link in the giveaway.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

New Dichroic Jewellery

I have been waiting for my new jewellery findings to arrive so I can add new designs to my collection. I am very pleased with them and have been busy making cabochons to add. They look great and a little different in design. The triple pendant was soon to go at the Black Isle Show. I had to take some quick photos before the show, so the quality of them is not good. I will be taking more professional looking photos over the next day or so and then they will be added to my website.

Update on the Black Isle Show - arrived Wednesday afternoon to set up and the weather was sunny. We traded Thursday night from 4pm and packed up at 9pm. We camped in the marquee overnight and it wasn't at all comfortable! Trade was also very slow.

Thursday - up at the crack of dawn, weather was hot and sunny once again. Trade was better, but not great.

I had a last minute pitch in the retail trade area - not the best for a handcrafted trader, but it was the only available space and have been trying to get into the show for a few years. Hopefully next year, there will be a better opportunity for space.

Oh, and we were placed next to:

Yep, the sweety stall - not good for a little girl!!

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Blog Giveaway - I won

I had fantastic news last week that I won Murano Silver's blog giveaway. My favourite item is the ring with my daughter's name handstamped into it.

I am really pleased with the handcrafted silver goodies I received - a great stash don't you think.

Over at Daisychain Design Jewellery, she was also having a giveaway - and I won that one too!!

I'm just waiting on my goodies from Daisychain - a handcrafted silver butterfly motif pendant, beaders tool kit and a felted bag. Another great prize!!

I'm off to the Black Isle Show tomorrow to sell my wares. I will be taking some photos during the event and will post them on my return.

Until then, good night.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass

Strawberry and Raspberry - Summer Pudding

This is for all you foodies out there - I just love summer (not the constant rain!!), especially when the strawberries are ripe and juicy.

I visited the local fruit farm last week and had to buy some strawberries and raspberries and make a summer pudding. We usually eat a lot of strawberries in summer, but always with cream, so wanted to make something a bit different.

This is such an easy recipe - taken from Slimming World. All you need to do is mash the ripe fruit, add a little sweetener and set aside. Put some fromage frais into a bowl and add sweetener (according to your taste), then layer the fruit with the fromage frais - voila!

Is really is that simple. Even the hubby really enjoyed it. It's good enough for all the family and it doesn't add the inches on the hips ladies!!

Talking of weight, I still attend Slimming World and I am 1/2 pound away from my first stone.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

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