Isle of Skye

A friend of mine kindly reminded me that my blog needed updating, she said "I'm getting fed up with seeing the same post", and she's right! I've been so busy that I just haven't had a chance to keep it updated lately, so thanks to Gloria, here I am - updating!

I had a great opportunity of visiting the Isle of Skye over the weekend, I was invited to attend the Celebration of Life event held at Portree Community Hall. We haven't visited the island before and was blown away by its beauty. The photo above is the famous Eilean Donan Castle, situated near Dornie. We past this castle on the way, it was a spectacular visit to the castle. We were on the way home from Skye and took a break to walk around and take photos.

The scenery on the way to Skye was simply stunning, as you can see from these photos. Luckily the weather was great too.The photo above is Portree Harbour

This is the view from the newly built Skye Bridge

Some of the exhibitors stayed at the same hotel in Portree and we met up for dinner Saturday night. We had a lovely meal at the Caledonian Hotel and then had drinks until the small hours!! Needless to say, I was a little delicate at the breakfast table!

While I was working at the event on Sunday, hubby and daughter set off to the harbour and boarded Stardust for a wildlife trip around the island. They were lucky enough to see some Sea Eagles (wing span 6-8 feet and according to my daughter "they were massive"), a seal and a salmon farm, where the fish were diving out of the water. I was rather jealous I missed out on this, but we will visit again one day as a long weekend.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Clachan Yell Were Fantastic

The weather surprised us when we pitched up at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford - it was a beautiful day, although horrendous wind at times. Huge gusts came along and nearly took the gazebos with it! Some of our stands:

It was an interesting day, not too many folk looking around the craft stalls, but the music was great. I thoroughly enjoyed Clachan Yell - traditional Scottish fiddle music. All the youngsters loved it too as they were all dancing. The fiddle players were brilliant musicians.

It was the first event of it's kind at the museum, and they have to improve on some aspects of it, but the Speyside Artisans would be more than happy to go back next year.

I hung around for a little while listening to the music, but left before Sandi Thom made an appearance. It was a long day, and was quite tired so happy to leave and head off home.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Sandi Thom & Clachan Yell - Arena Concert

I will be attending the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford tomorrow, part of the Arena Concert with Sandi Thom.

Arts and crafts will be available to view around the arena from 1pm. The music starts at 3pm.

I hope the weather is fine as it's an outdoor event.

Pop along and say hi

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Blog Giveaway - I won

I recently entered a blog giveaway on Kookie Designs and I won. This is the lovely package I received - a ceramic bead necklace and filligree swallow earrings. The ceramic beads are pretty and here is the detail:

Thanks to Melanie at Kookie Designs.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Belladrum - Tartan Heart Festival

Last weekend we were at the Tartan Heart Festival in Belladrum and it was great. We were camping in the traders park, but unfortunately this was right next door to the revellers, which is fine if you don't have to work, but as I was working, lack of sleep was a bit of a problem.

This is my stand at the festival:
The Standing Stones are a new product of mine (in the centre of the table) - they are vibrant and bright and it was these that drew people in to my stand.

I shut up shop early enough in the evenings to enjoy the music. This is The Wailers (as in Bob Marley) and we also saw K T Tungstall, Vatersay Boys, Feeder, Candi Staton, Amy MacDonald. The music was great and such a wonderful atmosphere.
This festival is such a family friendly place, I was very surprised at the amount of activities for kids. Sales were great too and I met some lovely traders and visitors. All in all we had a fab time.

Roll on the next Belladrum, Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass

Busy Few Weeks

It has been a busy few weeks lately - with lots of events. The Speyside Artisans will be at the Scout Hall in Aberlour this weekend from Thursday 5th - Saturday 7th - it will be your last chance to see them in Aberlour, so pop along to view all the wonderful things going on. Lesley has been demonstrating silk painting and it is absolutely fascinating watching it at work and what shapes will be created for the salt.



Another new piece I have created lately - Standing Stone. A bright and vibrant standing piece set in a mahogany base. They are so colourful when put in the window:

I will be at Belladrum Festival this weekend - if you are going, please pop along and say hi.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Recent Exhibitions

I attended the Tea Cosy Exhibition over the weekend in Aberdeen and had a great time. It was an alternative art, craft and design show, taking over a pop-up location. This was my 'stand' - just like a tea party setting. Such an unusual concept, but it worked really well and encouraged people to walk around the whole table and talk to you, as there was no barrier between the customers and makers.

The walk of fame:

This is one of my newest pieces - The Copse. A chunky Burr Elm stump with the addition of trees. I had some great feedback for this piece so will continue to make similar ones. This sculpture has gone to Starfish Studio in Johnshaven, along with my Journey sculpture.

I also had a stand at the Scout Hall in Aberlour last weekend too. The Speyside Artisans have taken the hall over for three weekends during the summer. There are demonstrations taking place too, as well as refreshments and home bakes.

If you fancy having a go at spinning or pottery, pop along for some fun.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Tea Cosy - Exhibition

I will be exhibiting at Tea Cosy in Aberdeen this weekend - it's an alternative art, craft and design fair set up in the style of a tea party in a pop up location. It will also be my first attendance at this event. This year the alternative-style exhibition will take place in the old Pier shop in Belmont Street.

You can see from the photo above how the space is organised and laid out just like a tea party.

I'm really looking forward to this opportunity as I have been wanting to edge my way in to Aberdeen for some time now and the event sounds good fun.

Opening hours - Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th July, 10am - 4pm.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Our Favourite Place for Coffee (and Cake)

Thirteen Moons at the Mill of Towie is a wonderful place to visit for lunch or just coffee. It is a sustainable cafe and smallholding. Our daughter loves it there as she can run around (safely) feeding the ducks and chickens and even collect eggs from the hens (which she finds the most exciting). You cannot beat freshly laid free range eggs, especially when cooked in a bacon and egg roll - yummy. The food is very generous and very tasty and the environment is peaceful - in the middle of the country (apart from the cockerels, but you get used to them). Here are some of the residents:

You even get an audience when eating - the chickens expecting scraps!

The ducks were so cute - resting their beeks on the water bath in the hot sun

The pigs are even friendly, but they escaped out of the normal residence

and now have to keep the goat company in his pen

Dawn and Richard who run the cafe/restaurant also own a pack of huskies, which they race. They are such beautiful-looking creatures.

Thirteen Moons also support local art and craft workers by selling their stock. You will even find Lazy Daisy Glass stock at Thirteen Mooons.

So, if you are in the Keith locality, please visit Thirteen Moons, you will not be disappointed.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

I've been Networking

I recently joined the 4Networking organisation - as I work from a rural location, it can become isolated at times. I thought it would be an effective way of marketing my business, raise my profile and meet other like-minded folk.

The meetings are structured, yet informal. So what actually happens? All meetings are held Tuesday - Friday, 8am - 10am (nationwide), with the following schedule:

8am - Open networking (informal)

8.30am - 40 second round - your chance to promote your business to the group and note who you would like to talk to. (This is done while eating your breakfast).

9.00am - coffee break and organise your 1-2-1 appointments

9.10am - 4Sight Slot - An insight into a member's specialist field

9.25am - the start of your 1-2-1 meetings

10am - finish

If you think you and your business could benefit from networking, check out the website, there is probably a meeting near you.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

It's been a long time.........

I cannot believe how long it's been since my last blog post. Such a lot has been happening and just needed time to recharge - I promise I haven't been slacking!!

The Coast Art Festival turned out to be such a great show - had lots of sales and even picked up a commission, which I'm currently working on. The commission is for someone working for a Norwegian Oil Company in Aberdeen. She is a buyer for their company art club. Employees join the art club and pay a monthly fee - at the end of the year, the company matches the money and the buyers go out and buy art for all the members, buying from a list they have devised. The members then have a good value piece of art 1/2 price (as the company pays for half) - What a great idea. Why don't more companies take on this idea. It would certainly keep us artists in work!!

I'm also currently working on some new pieces for an exhibition, will update later once I know if I have been chosen.

I also have a busy summer coming up with some new events - will keep you posted as and when they are happening.

I will try and keep my blog more up to date now that I have recharged my batteries a little.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Preview Night at Coast Art Festival

I attended the Preview Night at Coast Fine Art Exhibition tonight. It's been a very stressful day, trying to get everything organised and the standoffs fitted to take all my glass wall panels. I left the setting up at 5pm, drove home, had a very quick tea, printed price tags, showered and left at 7pm - LATE (as usual).

I arrived to a full house - visitors were everywhere and I still had all my glass panels to hang into the standoffs. Talk about feeling stressed!! However, it didn't take long and I soon calmed down after a nice glass of wine.

One of my favourite pieces (above)

We were even visited by the Press - a trio of very funny chaps from Deptford?? I didn't get around to asking what they were doing way up north. But they informed me that my digital camera was crap, and what I needed was a "Chad Camera" (courtesy of Chad Valley) - they were really funny guys - whoever they were!!

Anyway, it was a fab night, and to top it all, I sold two glass sculptures - woo hoo.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

COAST Art Festival

I will be exhibiting at the Coast Fine Art Exhibition this weekend. The exhibition takes place in the Macduff Town Hall, nr Banff. You will be able to see some of the new pieces (above) on display as well as a small amount of my unusual jewellery.

I really looking forward to this weekend and have been preparing for it for a few weeks now. Even with a larger kiln, there is still never enough time in the week!!

I also haven't posted for some time, largely due to the fact that I'm so busy right now - preparing for this event, creating work for Boath House in Nairn and The Craigellachie Hotel in Speyside. Boath House and Craigellachie Hotel will be displaying my work - and is available to purchase. I will be visiting these venues next week to drop off my work.

If you live near Banff, do pop by to see my work at Macduff Town Hall - there are also lots of other activities going on, check out the Coast website.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Antique Lantern - Renovation Project

I am currently working on a renovation project - an antique gas lantern from a local hotel. It is no longer gas, of course, but is used as a main light outside the entrance of the hotel. It is completely covered in thick lead paint, which is an absolutely nightmare to remove. It's a shame that such details are covered in thick black paint.

The lantern is copper and brass, but leaving is exposed means a lot of cleaning. It's been enjoyable stripping the lantern, just to see what lay beneath. Here are some more photos of the lantern, this is the beginning of the project, so will update as I go along.

Above - thick lead paint covering copper details

Above - door to access the light

Above - very deocrative

Above - these glass panels need to be replaced. They are all broken/missing

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Exhibition at Strathisla Distillery

I am a member of Speyside Artisans, a group of like minded people working and living in Speyside. We are currently exhibiting at Strathisla Distillery during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. We are dotted around the distillery rooms and they are absolutely beautiful, the setting for the distillery is so pretty - as you can see from the photo above.

Sally Williams, Ewe Can Too - demonstrating spinning (above)

A selection of all our arts

Lindsay Watt, Architectural Ceramics (above)

Lindsay creates wonderful ceramic pieces and she is currently working on a Strathisla Distllery project. As you can see from above, it's in its infancy, but will be working on this over the next four days whilst the group are at Strathisla Distillery. I will keep you updated of her project.

Please come along - you can have a wonderful distillery tour, a free dram, and look around all our lovely arts.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx