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

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.

Lampworking Classes, December 2013 and January 2014

I have a one day workshop in December and also some 6 week classes starting in January at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart.  Please see details below.  

Call Flowerfield Arts Centre to book a place: 028 7083 1400

One day workshop:

Saturday December 7th 10am-4pm

Making Glass Beads for Jewellery

Tutor Catherine Keenan

Make your own glass beads for unique Christmas gifts in this special workshop. Students will be guided through the very basics how to turn on the torch, getting familiar with the tools and the workspace, as well as guidance on the health and safety implications. Students will then be shown how to make a round bead, and the tutor Catherine Keenan will explain some ways of applying pattern and experimenting with form to make your beads more unusual.  Suitable for beginners but more experienced students will be shown advanced techniques.

Maximum 6 students

Fee: £55

Night Class:

Tuesdays 7-9.30pm for six weeks, starting January 21

Day Class:

Wednesdays 10am to 12.30pm for 6 weeks starting January 22

MADE London 2013

I'm just back from 3 full days of exhibiting my work at the MADE London fair at One Marylebone.  It was the culmination of many months of planning and making to show a really cohesive and solid body of work.  I was therefore showing some new work for the first time:

'Jelly Beans'; these are pieces I had made during the summer in Stourbridge and have 2 layers of glass, an interior that is a bright opaque colour and an exterior that is a darker/deeper transparent colour. See previous blog post.

'Mini Vases'; I first made these in 2010 while working in Denmark, but haven't made them since and have now developed a colour range.  See my last blog post.

'Colourscape'; short and extra long necklaces of lampworked beads that show a subtle graduation of colour.  These were very popular, particularly the shorter version!

The fair had a great atmosphere, with lots of brilliantly high-quality work on display, including my boyfriend Adam Frew.

My Stand at MADE London fair

From the top: 'Colourscape' Necklaces, 'Jelly Beans' and 'Eye Candy'

A rainbow of 'Mini Vases', new short 'Colourscape' Necklaces and a muted range of 'Molecule' jewellery

Adam Frew Ceramics stand

'Making It '11' Exhibition, Bangor

I'm getting ready for a group exhibition which will run for the duration of August.  'Making It 11' is the name of Craft NI's business start up programme, which commenced in 2011 and which placed me at Flowerfield Arts Centre.  There are 5 other participants, who all have completely different approaches to craft so the exhibition at Seacourt Print Workshop in Bangor will show this diversity in a wide variety of works.

The other makers are:
Eamonn Higgins - Steel is Eamonn’s main medium. He pushes, then balances traditional blacksmithing skills with contemporary fabrication techniques, creating an ‘up-cycled’ material unique to him.

Diane Lyness - Diane is a designer and maker who produces unique pieces of fine, handcrafted jewellery and objets d’art, using precious metal, precious and semi-precious stones to make functional 3-dimensional pieces using traditional techniques that show precision and skill.

Alison Lowry - Her work is inspired by her interest in objects and antique Irish textiles. This fascination with lace and embroidery started with some family ‘heirlooms’ - a collection of beautiful and intricate Irish white work hand made by female relatives generations ago.

Katie Brown -Katie uses carefully calculated combinations of dye to add vibrant colour and graphic pattern to fabric, mainly silk. Katie works with screen-printing, combining digital with traditional techniques.  "My prints are inspired by the urban landscape and focus on transforming industrial images with soft, flowing silk"

Michelle Stephens -Her work combines quality craftsmanship and aesthetics with a highly conceptual approach. She utilises laser-cutting alongside woven construction techniques, with potential of adapting work to a variety of architectural and public spaces.

The exhibition opens at 7pm on 1st August and will run until 31st August.
Seacourt Print Workshop, Unit 20, Dunlop Industrial Estate, 8 Balloo Drive, Bangor BT19 7QY
Telephone: 028 9146 0595

Stocking the Giant's Causeway Gift Shop

I have just completed the largest order for jewellery to date...and it was MASSIVE!! I also had a pretty tight timeline as the National Trust were keen to have the work quickly for summer sales.

So, now I officially stock the National Trust's Gift Shop at the Giant's Causeway!  I am particularly excited about this, not just because it is the number 1 visitor attraction in Northern Ireland, but also because it is so close to my studio in Portstewart!

I have specially designed a range of 'Puffin' pendants and earrings for the shop, so I'm looking forward to seeing how these are received.

The Giant's Causeway

'Puffin' Pendants

The 'MASSIVE' order

Summer Lampworking Classes

Summer is fully upon us at the minute, and long may it last!!  I will be teaching some lampworking (bead making) classes at Flowerfield Arts Centre, in Portstewart.  There are 2 Saturday classes and also 2 two day courses, so there are a variety of opportunities to have a go at working in molten glass to make unique beads.  There are only 6 places per class so sign up quickly!  Call 028 7083 1400 to book.

Saturday 29th June
10am-4pm
Cost: £55 includes materials

Saturday 20th July
10am-4pm
Cost: £55 includes materials

Friday 9th - Saturday 10th August
10am-4pm daily
Cost: £90

Friday 23rd - Saturday 24th August
10am-4pm daily
Cost: £90

Students melting glass rods to make beads

Melting glass rods on a gas torch

Beads made by students on their first day!

Hot Glass at Flowerfield

Over the next few weeks there will be quite a bit of hot glass activity happening at Flowerfield Arts Centre.

Renowned american glass blower Scott Benefield will be bringing his portable furnace to the Arts Centre in order to offer workshops to University of Ulster students and also for 5th and 6th form students of local schools to view glass blowing demos. This will take place from Wednesday 17th -Friday 19th April.

On Saturday 20th April from 11am-3pm there will be public glass blowing demos by Scott and myself. Needless to say I'm really looking forward to doing some blowing, and also seeing Scott at work.

Film of Scott glassblowing at Flowerfield last year

For the first time I will be teaching a night class in lampworking. This is due to start on Tuesday 16th April and run for five weeks, from 6.30-9.30pm every night.  This course will allow me to help students get a firm grip on making beads and also learn and experiment with form and pattern application. Fee: £82, £77 concession

I will also be teaching a one day class on Saturday 4th May from 10am-4pm.  Students will learn how to make a basic bead and also a variety of colour and pattern techniques. Fee: £55

For more information or to enrol on either lampworking class contact Flowerfield: 028 70831400

Lampworking Class

Craft Central Exhibition

Two weeks ago I was over in London for a group exhibition curated by Karen Fleming for Craft Ni at the Craft Central Gallery.  There were 13 makers in total and a wide variety of materials and styles, showcasing the breadth of technique and inspirations by some of the top makers in Northern Ireland.

The photos below were taken on the opening night, which was incredibly busy and a great opportunity to talk to some very interesting people.  All in all the five day exhibition was a perfect platform to show work in London and to approach useful contacts such as galleries and collectors.

The exhibition will be shown in Belfast at Craft NI's gallery opening Thursday 4th April from 6.30-9pm and running until 26th April.

To read more about the exhibition and the individual makers visit the website:  http://www.craftniperspective.com/

'Perspective' Exhibition at Craft Central London

The 13 makers with curator Karen Fleming and Director of Craft NI Alan Kane

Talking to textile designer/maker Katie Brown and friend about my work

Lovely 'Scribble Pot' by Adam Frew

Jewellery for the Jet Set!

I am just back from a trip to Stourbridge to make some of my blown glass sculptural vessels 'Eye Candy' for my forthcoming exhibition at Craft Central in London....more on this later!

Fortunately I had booked my flight from Belfast City Airport which meant that I would finally have the opportunity to see the jewellery exhibition run by Craft NI and hosted by House of Ireland in the departures lounge.  My work was selected along with 6 other makers: Fiona Kerr, Jill Graham, Lynsay Raine, Rachel McKnight, Eric Robinson and Janice Gilmore.  The exhibition will run until the end of February.
Please note, you must have an airline ticket leaving the Belfast City airport in order to visit the departure lounge!!

My lampworked glass and silver jewellery next to Rachel McKnight's work

My work beside Rachel's again, the colours work well!

Close up of my Flower Cufflinks

Lynsay Raine's pins

Fiona Kerr's work

Jill Graham's jewellery

Belfast Art College Exhibition

I am currently exhibiting in a lovely old museum case (originally from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London) at the University of Ulster's Belfast Art College.  It's on level C, above the library.  I am exhibiting a range of blown glass vessels and lampworked glass jewellery.  Next to me , in another case is goldsmith Diane Lyness showing a range of lovely jewellery and candleholders.

If you are interested in seeing the exhibition contact me via email: catherinekeenan126@gmail.com

Striped Vessel and 'Eye Candy, Green and Purple Striped'

'Urchin, Yellow and Purple'

'Humbug, Green and Red' with 'Posy' Hoops and 'Molecule' Earrings

Bird Pendants and 'Molecule' studs

Diane Lyness' display

'Hurricane Lantern' by Diane Lyness

Derry, City of Culture 2013

Yesterday I was in Derry with my boyfriend Adam, he was filming the Craft Village Collective  for Craft NI, who are creating a virtual 'Craft Map' of Northern Ireland. (Adam is filming the locations, I will post films when they are finished!)  I was helping out, taking some photos for stills.  The Craft Village Collective are a group of around 20 makers in the Derry/Donegal area who have taken the initiative to open a lovely craft shop in time for the City of Culture.  There is a real mix of disciplines and something for everyone.

For lunch, we called into he newly opened Warehouse No.1, a cafe and craft shop, which is right beside the historic Guildhall.  Adam and I stock our work in the craft shop, so this was the perfect opportunity to heck out this venue, the contemporary industrial yet comfortable interior really works!  The food was also delicious!

We then called into the Gordon Gallery on Pump Street.  My knowledge of Derry is very limited so I was pleased to discover the 'Cathedral Quarter' which seems to be the artistic area of the city.  There is currently an all Ireland group show on, mainly paintings with some sculptural work.  It was good to see such an impressive collection of contemporary work.

Craft Village Collective

My jewellery in Warehouse No.1
(dodgy photo taken on laptop, sorry!)

Adam's pottery at Warehouse No.1

Online Jewellery Shop

Look no further for quality and unique handmade glass jewellery.  Now selling online (click here), my individually lampworked glass bead jewellery on sterling silver is a perfect christmas gift...

...or an ideal accessory for a very special Christmas outfit!

Orders are dispatched within 3 days, so your items will be with you in less than a week!

Open Studio/Craft Sale

This Saturday, 1st December, Adam Frew (potter) and I will open our studios at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, to the public to sell our pieces.  Opening at 11am until 5pm.

We have also invited some craft friends:

Lesley Frew -jewellery, cards and decorations using recycled materials

David Davies -wooden marquetry badges and wall pieces

Penny Ramalho -paintings/artwork

Rachael Conway -ceramic wall pieces

Louise McLean -Basketry

...so there will be plenty of choice for Christmas gift shopping!

Christmas Saturday Workshops

Dates: 24th November

           15th December

Cost: £45 per day (includes materials)

Coming up to Christmas I will be teaching two saturday lampworking classes.  Participants will learn how to use an oxygen/gas mix torch to create their own unique glass beads.

To book a place call Flowerfield Arts Centre: 028 7083 1400

Lampworking Class at Flowerfield

A student's beads

Watch a class in progress:

Christmas Pop-Up Shop, Belfast

Pop-Up Shop veteran Stephen Farnan, and his team of elves, are busily putting together a quirky shop filled with locally, irish handmade items...and I am busily getting my stock together to pass over to his capable hands!

The shop will be located in Cornmarket Square, right in the commercial heart of Belfast, at the entrance of Victoria Square shopping centre and beside Starbucks.  It opens on Thursday 8th November at 6pm and will run right up until Christmas, so be sure to call in for a present or two!!

Film of the opening night by Adam Frew