Abstraction

Last night I watched a very interesting documentary on BBC Four entitled The Rules of Abstraction.  It was a fascinating insight into the history of abstract art and also a showcase of contemporary British Abstract artists.

There's a great short film of designer Peter Saville discussing 'Abstraction and Design' on the BBC website.  

I've never thought of my work in terms of Abstract Art, but there are certain principles described in both films that ring true to how I approach making glass.

In the film, Peter Saville, on describing Kasimir Malevich (pioneer of abstract art) he says:

"The important thing about it, it's no longer a painting of anything.  It's of itself.  So this is the point at which the art object is no longer representational. it's an art object in it's own right and this … reductive formula is what goes on to inform how we think about architecture, how we think about design, how we think about products, how we think about making things…"

'Aeroplane Flying', Kasimir Malevich, 1915

Peter Saville, Joy Division Album Cover, 1979

Steenson's Belfast

My 'Colourscape' range of jewellery is currently in the window of Belfast's top contemporary, design-led jewellery retailer,The Steenson's of Bedford Street.  My work is part of the 'Home-grown Irish Designs' showcase, which also features Diane Lyness, Jill Graham, Alan Ardiff, Nora Watson and The Steenson's own range.

My 'Colourscape' Range

Steenson's shop front on Bedford St, Belfast

New 'Colourscape' studs to match the necklaces

Visiting Wolf & Badger Shops in London

I was recently in London with my boyfriend (potter and soon to be husband) Adam Frew.  He was doing the international fair, Ceramic Art London.  I had the chance to visit both Wolf & Badger shops that have my 'Jelly Bean' vessels, one in Notting Hill and the other in Mayfair.

'Jelly Bean, Brown and Orange' in the Notting Hill Shop.

I loved their use of wall-mounted boxes for display.

'Jelly Beans' in Mayfair

Wolf&Badger, Dover Street, Mayfair

'Jelly Beans' at Wolf and Badger

One of the contacts I made at 'Craft' ( a trade fair I did at Earl's Court, London at the beginning of January)  was one half of Wolf & Badger, 'the leading destination for independent designer fashion, jewellery and homewares'.  Henry Graham and his brother George have 2 shops in London, one in Notting Hill and one in Mayfair, as well as an online shop.  They have chosen to stock my 'Jelly Bean' pieces.

'Jelly Beans' are made using the colour-overlay technique, there is a vivid opaque colour interior and a dark transparent colour exterior.  This means that when the piece is blown out the interior colour shines through the darker colour to create a juicy, graduated effect.

Take a look at them on Wolf & Badger's website here

Three 'Jelly Beans'

Group 'Jelly Beans'

Glass blowing 'Jelly Beans'

Showcase Ireland 2014

I'm currently busy filing orders I took at the trade show, 'Showcase, Ireland' that took place during January at the RDS Dublin.

The show was very busy and great to make new contacts.  I got a lot of interest in my jewellery and blown glass, and some of my jewellery range was chosen for 'The Edit' a curated exhibition of selected jewellery.

Here are some images of my stand.

'Colourscape' handmade beaded necklaces

Trade Fair Mania!

I am doing trade fairs in the next 2 weeks!  The first is Craft in Earl's Court, London.  It opens on Sunday 12th January and runs to Tuesday 14th.  The next is Showcase at the RDS Dublin, starting on Sunday 19th January and running to 22nd.  So needless to say I am and have been very very busy!

I'll be exhibiting my blown glass ranges along with jewellery, and for the first time my full range of 'Colourscape' necklaces.

Christmas Bauble Film

About a month ago I blew some new glass baubles for a few Christmas Crafts Fairs I was doing.  I blew them at Garage Glass, just outside Belfast and Adam Frew filmed me.

Unfortunately I couldn't upload this until after Christmas…so Happy New Year!!