New Additions to Website

I have added some new coasters to my website - these are the Doodles range, available in black and white with contrasting patterns.
The Fusion range of dichroic glass pendants were looking a bit wish, so have added some more designs, available here. These are one-off designs, full of vibrant colours and patterns. The Tree of Life pendant, which is hand etched, and the Orb have also been added.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Exporting

I recently had an enquiry from a shop owner residing in Oman, wanting to stock my glass jewellery in their retail outlet. I have to say, I was dubious to begin with - "another scam of some sort", I thought to myself. But, communication developed over the days with the owner picking the jewellery items and some glass fishies - I began to feel at ease. The shop owner was informing me that glass jewellery hasn't really hit their area, so they want to be the first to sell it.

Anyway, I sent a parcel last week using the FedEx 3 day service and have to say that I was very impressed with the couriers (it was quicker to ship to Oman in the middle east, than to Glasgow, four hours down the road!!! - a recent bad experience, but that's another story).

It's a lengthy process having to write out commercial invoices for customs, but once you understand it, it's straightforward.

Don't you just love the photo above - it's a beach in Muscat, Oman - the location of the shop I supplied. Perhaps one day I could even make business trips!! Well, there's always hope.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Meet The Designers

I took my daughter to Matalan on Saturday, where we were lucky enough to meet Colin and Justin (I admit it, it was really me that wanted to meet them). It was manic to say the least - the queue was too long to join when we first arrived. My daughter is only two so as you can imagine keeping a two year old entertained whilst standing in a queue for any length of time - not an easy task!!

However, lucky for me, she fell asleep in her buggy - ahhh.

We queued for over an hour to finally meet Colin and Justin. They were really lovely, very smiley (Colin more so) and spent time chatting to folk. I also gave them a special valentine present, which they really liked.

The designers were at the store promoting their homeware range, which Matalan now sell.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Alot to Say...

Just a keep post - I haven't been able to blog lately due to my laptop dying on me!! Finally gave in and bought a new one today - so here I am at last.

A lot has happened in the last week, but have some photos to download before I tell you my favourite story.

Watch this space.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Haiti Charity Auction

A group of like minded jewellery designers and lampworkers have come together to raise money for charity. Each of us has donated beads or jewellery items (even some plushies have been donated) to be auctioned over at Kookie Designs. All proceeds will be going to the Haiti Disaster.

The auction starts at 10am on Monday 8 February.

Pop along and have a look at some of the great lots - there are 16 in total, many with two/three items in each lot. The mushroom focal beads (above) are made by the very talented Laura Sparling.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

How to Drill Holes in Glass

Since purchasing my bench pillar drill, I have been busy drilling holes in my glass pieces. I first created my wave clocks, then moved on to the 'True Blood' Hearts (above). I have to say, the thought of drilling glass petrified me. But, with the right tools, it's quite easy. And you do not have to buy a flushing head kit to drill holes. I create wells around holes by using clay:

Fill the well with water:

Here you can see I have drilled eight holes in the heart:

Some useful tips on how to drill holes in glass:

1) User diamond drill bits, not carbide. Sintered drill bits have diamond content throughout the tip of the drill, so when it wears down, you can run it through a dressing stick to expose new diamonds. Thus extending its lifespan.
2) Use diamond hole saws to drill holes 1/4" or larger, but also for drilling thick glass. I drill 6mm, so I use a hole saw.
3) Use plenty of lubricant (water) to keep the drill bit cool and clean.
4) Use less pressure - the drill will work at its own pace. Don't be hasty!
5) Diamond hole saws work better at 600-900rpm.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Trade Orders

My latest kiln batch has just cooked - as you can see the Lazy Bones fish are extremely popular. I have some clocks and coasters included in this lot as well:

My new clocks turned out to be a good seller at the trade show. They are fired flat first, then placed over a mould to make their shape:

And here is the finished product, the Arc Clock - Retro:

Oh, did I mention we have snow - AGAIN (that's all I seem to talk about these days!!).

We have a new lodger: Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Building Snow Castles

Just when you think you've had all the snow that could fall out of the sky - there's more!!

Hubby came home from work on Friday with a beautiful warm and cozy snowsuit for our daughter. It was as if he had a crystal ball, we've had a few inches of snow.

Of course, our daughter is loving it - even out in the garden with her bucket and spade. She decided to build snow castles.

I, on the other hand have been beavering away in the office. I've FINALLY finished the tax returns, phew! I can now relax and get on with some proper work!!!

Besides getting orders ready from the Trade Show this week, I have some follow up calls to make, so a busy week ahead.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Spring Trade Show - Exhibiting

These are some of my items I have on display at the Spring Trade Show in SECC, Glasgow. I have just returned from the show and had a good experience. It was my first show at the SECC and was quite overwhelmed by the size of the hall and the amount of exhibitors. It was all rather daunting and huge competition.

'Journey' - glass sculpture on wood plinth

Doodle Wave Clock

Curve Clock

Arc Clock - Zebra

I now have a full order book, with many new customers. I will also be contacting some more potential leads over the next week. I met some really lovely people exhibiting around me and managed to catch up with some I haven't seen or some time. All in all, it was a good show and enjoyed the experience.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Guest Blogging on MISI

At the beginning of the year, I was going through some of my regular blogs to read and came across MISI (make it sell it) asking for people to guest blog. I thought this might be a good idea and I could tell people what glass fusing is all about (on a non-technical level). Helen, who organised it has uploaded it today and this is my contribution.

As a reader, you may also be interested in participating in this idea - if so, please contact Helen, who also runs her own MISI shop on the site.

What is MISI?
MISI is the UK's online marketplace. Set up by a keen crafter, web developer and work at home mother, MISI is bringing together the UK's craft community and giving them a place to sell what they make. Buyers can find high quality products with a personal touch. MISI has been running since late October 2008 and has attracted more than 3000 sellers and is reaching 75000 visitors per month. MISI also organises craft events throughout the year, bringing the crafters into the offline world.

I was recently reading the Craft and Design magazine and Emma, the MISI creator was being interviewed about online selling - so the site has had some good press coverage as well.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Valentines Day - New Item

I have added this new item to my website today - swirly heart window hanger. An ideal gift for valentines day or simply an additional to your home (if buying for yourself).

I've been beavering away in my studio, in fact I was in the studio at 7am this morning - waiting for my kiln to finish its slumping program. And have to say, I'm very pleased with the outcome! But you'll have to wait to see the photos!

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Special Delivery

I've been waiting for these beauties - one parcel is one week overdue (because of the snow - arrgh) and the other I only ordered yesterday from down in Kent and got it today. How's that for service! Creative Glass Shop use APC Couriers and have found that they are the only ones that really do next day delivery. Because we are so far north, it usually takes two days to get up here.

Some frit for new projects, diamond drill bits and adaptors and the Silberschnitt circle cutter. I already have a circle cutter, but this one goes up to 24" and my new bowl is 16".

Couldn't wait to try the circle cutter out:

Great results - these were my first attempts. I was well impressed with the quality and ease of use.

Will have to wait a couple of days now before my pieces come out of the kiln - they are for the Spring Trade Fair in Glasgow next weekend.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Why Email was Invented!

Maybe this is why email was invented - what do you think??

I know it's a Christmas carol playing in the background, but it kind of suits the video and anyway, it's cheerful (I like it).

Just a bit of fun (and I'm fed up with posting about the snow - we've still got it, but thawing - hooray).
Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Sledge - At Last

At last, I managed to get a sledge. Up until yesterday, I could not get a sledge in the whole of the UK for love nor money. I popped into our local town yesterday and there they were - a fresh delivery in. The littleun had a time of her life being dragged around.

There really has been no sign of a thaw either, even the hubby's quad got stuck in the snow and had to dig it out:

BUT woke up today - things are looking brighter; it's thawing and warmer. Hooray.

Talking to a neighbour who works in the local school (kids not back yet) and she said that even the kids are fed up with the snow!!

I'm even looking forward to some work in the studio.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Experimenting and Tidy Up

I've been experimenting lately with my latest mould and also my core drill bits. My core drills have been so good, I haven't had any mishaps (yet). I have been drilling lots of holes in hangers and it's been going very well. However, I did invest in some good quality diamond drill bits. And this has certainly paid off.

I've even managed to have a tidy up in the studio - this is my table for scribbling new ideas:

My cold working worktop:

Snow update - we actually had a day and night without snow - hooray!!

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx