I have been dreaming/planning some things for 2016. Nothing too crazy, because I am actually really happy with how things are going…but you got to aim for something!
Category: Exhibitions
On my walk this morning…
I’ve been thinking about 2015 a lot. The good, and the not so good things. It’s been helping me to think about what I want to do in 2016.
2015 was actually a pretty good year, I can’t complain. We moved to Murray Bridge, and that has worked out so well for us that we ended up buying a house here.
I was most pleased with the following things from 2015:
- Window Artist of the Month for January/February at Murray Bridge Regional Art Gallery
- “Resonate” group exhibition at Gallery M
- Finalist in Reart International Upcycle exhibition
- SALA solo exhibition at City Library – “Fleur Verre”
- SALA group exhibition at Pepper Street Art Centre – “Renew”
- Nominated for a Brand SA Regional award
- Kirra Galleries “Flame On” exhibition
- Work selected for Canberra Glassworks gallery shop
- Finalist in the Mansfield Art Glass Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition
It’s lovely to reflect on what has happened this year. Now I can’t wait to start dreaming about the future!
Little Treasures 2015
Pepper Street Art Centre are getting ready for their annual Little Treasures exhibition. It’s a really cool pre-xmas exhibition, where all of the work is:
- available for immediate sale,
- handmade,
- priced under $150
It’s a perfect place to start or finish your Christmas shopping!
I will have a range of recycled glass bead jewellery made from a Skyy Vodka Bottle.
Here are the details:
On my walk this morning…
A cloudy start to the week here. A cooler day today. I have been:
- studying for my first exam in about 20 years!
- making lots of beads for the upcoming Christmas events I am involved with (Little Treasures at Pepper Street Gallery and the T’Arts Christmas window).
- saying farewell to the first house I bought.
- starting to pack for our move in November.
- growing sunflowers with the kids.
- getting ready for the Handmade Market in Murray Bridge on November 7 (more details this week).
Hope you are having a great week.
Mansfield Art Glass Exhibition – Finalist
Today I received some exciting news in my inbox…the 2 pieces that I submitted for the Mansfield Art Glass Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition were accepted as finalists!
Here is a little bit about each of the pieces that I created, and some images:
1. Artist Statement – Harlequin Flowers
I found a set of Harlequin glasses at an op shop, they were edged with gold, and were really pretty. When I put the glass in the flame, strange things happened. Some of the colour burnt out completely, while some turned a spectacular pink. Absolutely not what I was hoping to happen, yet the surprise of it was worth it.
2. Artist Statement – Gold Beer
I specialise in creating beads from recycled glass. I think it’s important to at least think about our environment and recycling, so I love to make beads and jewellery that do make people stop and think. This necklace was made from a Coopers Sparkling Ale bottle. I have embellished some of the beads with 14K Gold Leaf.
Kirra Galleries – 2015 Flame On Exhibition
I am thrilled to be part of the Kirra Galleries Flame On exhibition for 2015. Last year was the first year that I participated in this exhibition. I’m not sure if you remember necklaces like these, made from a variety of recycled glass bottles?
This year I made some more pieces with recycled glass. This time I used a clear Banrock Station wine bottle, and I am loving the finished products. I think I will have to make some more in different colours very soon.
Flame On opens at 6.00pm on Thursday 10 September 2015, and continues through until October 11.
Colour of the Week – Banrock Station Wine Bottle
OK, so clear is probably not officially a colour, but this wine bottle makes some really spectacular beads.
This work is heading to Melbourne as part of the 2015 Kirra Galleries Flame On exhibition.
On my walk this morning…
It has been 2 weeks since I had a walk! I am so grateful that I feel well enough to go out again.
Last day of winter, hooray! Another winter over.
Thanks to everyone who visited me at Flinders Street Market on Saturday. It was such a lovely day at the market, I really enjoyed it. My next market is the Port Festival weekend on October 10 and 11.
Today I am photographing the work I am sending to Kirra Galleries for their annual Flame On exhibition. I will share photos during the week.
I am also getting some work ready for my newsletter. If you are subscribed, you’ll be the first to hear about the new work, and you’ll have the first chance to buy it. I’m making some one-off pieces for my colour of the month series, which is Black and White for September.
Op shopping
Every now and then I go on a mission to find a particular type of glass. It might be Green Depression Glass, or white glass (which is really hard to find by the way), or like the other day I was on a mission to find non-matching sets of glasses.
These non-matching sets of glasses are also known as Harlequin Glass. They were really popular in the 1950’s. It can be tricky to get a complete set of 6 glasses, and more often than not you’ll find at most 5 glasses left in the set.
I didn’t mind what I found. I had an idea for a necklace in my mind, and I needed the glass to make it happen!
So, I visited all of the Op Shops in Murray Bridge, and managed to find a few assorted glasses. I was really pleased with what I found, but wondered if I might be able to find some more on a trip to Mount Barker. Like I said, I was on a mission!
We tried a couple of Op Shops before I found one with THE most helpful volunteer I’ve ever found. She was more than happy to look out the back to see if she could find what I was looking for.
Success, she found a mis-matched set of 5 shot glasses. The colours were great, but the glasses were quite small. Still, it was better than nothing.
“I’ll take them,” I said. “Don’t worry too much about wrapping them.”
She was a bit taken aback with that comment. “You’re going to smash them, aren’t you?”
I smiled. “Yes, I am.”
“Well, if you like recycled glass you have to take a look at this great exhibition at the City Library that is on at the moment. It’s part of SALA. The artist has made all of these beads from recycled glass, you should see some of the colours.”
I smiled again. “That’s actually my work.”
True story!
We talked for a little bit longer, while she told me what her favourite jewellery was from the exhibition, and where all of the Op Shops were in Mount Barker!
On my walk this morning…
It’s getting lighter in the mornings. And brighter! Hooray!
I am looking forward to being part of the Ink Crush market at Flinders Street Market on Sunday August 16. I am working on a new range of beads and jewellery especially for the market. I’ll share some pictures on Thursday!
SALA has been great fun. From what people are telling me, they are enjoying their visit to the City Library to see my exhibition. It really is a great space, and at the moment there is a lot of really interesting art in there. Definitely worth checking out.
Thanks to everyone who supported my Etsy shop sale. I really appreciate it. The next sale in my Etsy shop will be February 2016.
