Slow down, breathe and break glass

Also known as mindfulness whilst being creative

I think it’s well acknowledged that being creative is good for us, takes the mind off the ‘to do’ list and a respite from the little lemon that life throws at us. It is a chance to engage outside our normal day to day tasks, in a vibrant, tactile way using our hands, transforming glass into art pieces.

I have been running workshops and teaching stained glass, copper foiling and now fused glass, for many years. What I have found is the journey of learning to make stained glass is not always about the obvious, but an array of different reasons for people.

One women who comes to the Wednesday morning course, has said ‘it’s her therapy’, and to be fair, we have a good laugh, and non-judgemental positive encouragement, recognizing ‘our wins’ is important. Meeting new people, fostering community in a creative slightly structured setting, learning a new skill, personal growth and confidence, whilst playing with beautiful glass, is hard to beat for the feel good factor.

With this in mind I have two new workshops which hopefully cater to peoples available time.

Both are fun, creative and can give a bit of a buzz.

Explore the workshops and courses, and feel free to contact me with any questions. Stained glass and copper foiling require various hand tools and involve standing at a bench to cut glass and lead. Creating fused glass can be accomplished while seated, provided that minimal cutting is involved.

New – Fused glass workshops

Glassy things happening in the studio!

Tuesday 19th March 2pm – 4pm or Thursday 21st March 11am – 1pm

Fused Glass – I am calling it ‘cutting and sticking’ with glass, not strictly true, but it reminds me of creating paper collages when younger. Instead of paper we will be using all sorts glassy fusing things called inclusions: stringers, confetti, dichroic glass and Millefiori pieces, a bit like being in a sweetie shop.

Come to a 2 hour workshop, learn about: the basics of glass fusing, have a quick guide to cutting and shaping small pieces of glass and how to use all the lovely ‘inclusions’. Make a fused glass tile suncatcher and a keyring if time. Your pieces will be fired in a kiln at very hot temperature, which melts the glass into one fused piece. Booking form dates and costs or contact me for more information



Ready for collection in about a week or two, times for pick up to be arranged.   This is a fun hands on workshop, with time to play with the glass and create your own piece of glass art with guidance from me, Sharon.

Autumn is here & Summer work in pictures

A new Short Thursday Evening Course in Copper Foiling

It was great to get going again in late May, teaching three people at a time in Workshops. There is nothing quite like meeting folk face to face to create with glass.

I am still keeping all workshops to three people attending to keep us safe. But it is good to be back in an ‘almost regular’ swing of things.

The new dates for workshops and courses for this Autumn are filling up much quicker than I expected. I think people are keen in a safe way to get out and about again. A bit of creative play and making with colourful glass is so good for the soul.

I am running a new short evening course in Copper Foiling 4 weekly sessions on a Thursday 6pm – 8.30pm, suitable for beginners and those with experience. There currently is one place on the course starting on Thursday 30th September and two places on the course starting on 18th November. Do contact me if you are interested and find more information here.

Here is the summer work starting from when we could open in May in pictures, in no particular order:

If you would like to be kept informed of new dates for workshops and courses please do contact me and I will add you to the emailing list.

Christmas Gifts and AWOL ICE

Christmas Gift experiences in Stained glass and ICE at AWOL Studios, Hope Mill Ancoats.

With the importance of less waste and changing the way we consume goods, being at the forefront of our minds, buying less ‘stuff’ and locally is the thing to do now.  I don’t feel too bad saying please buy local from makers and artists this Christmas. There is a host of exciting workshop experiences out there, where one takes home not only a beautiful creation but a lovely memory that lasts.

Why not look at the workshops and courses I run as gifts for someone this Christmas. I still have spaces   Introduction to Copper Foiling workshop   Stained glass for beginners weekend workshops   Evening and Daytime classes     Do have a look and please do feel free contact me and ask questions.

The workshops I run are based at AWOL Studio’s in Hope Mill Ancoats Manchester, where a few of us Artists who teach and run workshops have pulled together to create ICE’, ‘independent Creative Educators’. “We offer unique creative experiences in a Unique Grade 2* listed venue – Hope Mill. So far we you can try, drawing, painting, crafts, photography, stained glass with other culturally creative activities coming soon. We are are group of artists who are proud to embrace the independent spirit of a creative Manchester.

Check us out, maybe buy a workshop for that someone special or for yourself, we all deserve down time to be creative. Follow us on Instagram @iceawolarts watch out for open days and see what we are up too. Thanks for reading

Updates and lovely pictures

Stained glass workshops – The Students work

I have a last workshop this Sunday then its putting on the sunhat for August before I start in September with a Stained glass for Beginners weekend Workshop on 21st and 22nd September.

Autumn is a good time to learn new skills of cutting and shaping glass and creating your own panel to take home. It is still light, with red overtones, beautiful autumn colours coming in to inspire, and the winter to hone those skills!

In the meantime a slide show of work made or in progress by those students attending the Monday evening and Wednesday morning courses and the last stained glass for beginners weekend. Some students come to several courses to make their special stained glass projects realised.

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Thank you for viewing, if you have any questions about any of the workshops or course please do contact me.

 

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