B o r i n g !

I am sick of how the blog looks, but honestly, who has time to stop and rejig things - if it aint broke etc.  Maybe someday when I am snowed in and there is nothing else to do I will get into reformatting it, and meanwhile ......... clay stuff to do.

Garden visitor

I was down in my garden studio today when I was disturbed by some manic, aggressive bird sounds.  On checking it out I found four smaller birds, juvenile magpies I think, hassling a beautiful young brown owl in a tallow tree.  The owl just sat all day looking dolefully at these interlopers bothering him(or her) and remains there tonight, and hopefully, tomorrow.  Anyone know what they eat apart from mice and other yucks?  I've only seen ONE owl before in East Fremantle.  What a total joy and privelege.

Touched ....

Sometimes I make fused and slumped glasswork (warm glass).  Mostly it is pendants or earrings from dichroic glass or the odd plate.  I got a message from an old friend last night that touched my heart and reminded that the work we strive to make has its own life once we let it go.

Dear Elaine,

About a thousand years ago, you made a beautiful glass pendant which is in my possession and which I love dearly. During my move from China to Germany, I lost sight of it and believed it to be lost.  Now, about 6 years later, we are packing up our bits and pieces again and guess what I found?  Thank you for taking the time to make something that makes the world a more beautiful place. 

All the best   G

The Eccentric Habits of the Creative

http://the99percent.com/tips/7021/Why-Creative-People-Need-to-Be-Eccentric?utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=ALL&utm_campaign=MIH%2520May%25209%25202011

Graham Hay shared this link to a fascinating article.  It makes perfect sense to me, my habits include peanutbutter on toast, coffee and an ipod.

The good news

I taught a workshop at The Potter's Market in O'Connor yesterday, about Print On Clay Techniques, attended by 13 people including 8 high school art teachers.  The atmosphere was instantly warm and friendly and I felt as soon as we started that it would go well.  The remarks at the end left me feeling very good indeed, they said they had fun and learnt lots.  The snaps are via my iPhone, not brilliant but hey, not bad either!

It was a hands-on workshop, something I don't think I have fully mastered the design of quite yet, but everyone got a chance to tinker and try out the materials and techniques - it got almost merry at times.  We covered  inkjet print as a guide, drawn tissue transfers, screen printed underglaze transfers, laser decals and open stock decals.  As always - I learnt a few things.

So I'd like to say, to those who attended and who said they had read this little blog, thank you for coming, it was BRILLIANT teaching you, a JOY, and I hope we all cross paths often from here on.  And thanks to Henry for helping me load and unload the car with all that gear XO