Quiet Night In
It's just a few hours until 2012 and I'm sitting by the fire my mind full of new bead and ceramic challenges, another year older and wiser and looking forward to seeing what the next year brings. I don't wish for a lot just to be healthy, happy and for my love for glass to stay strong.
Today was a fitting day for the end of the year, I spent time making beads and making ceramics, the weather was mild and the rain and wind left us alone for one last day in the year, it was as if nature was telling us the coming year will treat us fine.
I want to thank each and every one of you for your support over the last 12 months and I hope I have helped in a small way to make your jewellery pieces just how you wanted them, I can't put into words how happy it makes me when I'm told by customers how nice my beads are, even after all these years I worry they won't be good enough, so I hope in 2012 I can carry on making people smile with my work and that they enjoy using my beads as much as I enjoy making them.
This past year as taught me a lot, about people, about nature and most of all about myself, I hope I live my life the right way and I hope by being myself here on the blog that I've at least shown how life is being a full time bead maker. From the first blog I stated I would not hide anything, the struggles, the great days and most of all my thoughts and I hope that is what I'm doing, showing all, telling all, being honest, I can't live any other way, that's who Rob Johnson is and that's how it will continue in the coming year however hard it gets or however enjoyable, you will know it all. There will I'm sure be changes in my life and not all will be perfect but all will make a journey on which I hope I will learn and one on which I hope you will travel along with me.
So as we see out this year and await the new one I wish you all a great new year and I hope you all enjoy the next.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Winds Beat The Fens
Not The Best Christmas Weather
What a day, the strong gales are back rushing across the fens and the day stayed dark with rain at times, not what you would call festive weather, no sunny afternoon walks in the snow, well not yet anyway. The huge flock of swans are still munching their way through the winter barley behind us and the garden birds are all so happy feeding at the stations, often fighting
to keep their balance in the winds.
It's been a busy day in the barn making beads with a lot more focals being made plus an hour was spent in the clay room cleaning and trimming a few pots.
We went out in the car for the first time since Christmas eve, only a short drive to the post office in the next village to buy stamps and post bead orders off, the roads were so quiet and there was hardly a soul walking in the village, maybe all back working or just recovering from the food and drink of the past few days.
I'm hoping the weekend will be wind free as I really need to get more conifer cuttings burnt out the way ready to start getting the kitchen garden planned out and dug over. I hope to sow some first onion seed under cover to give them a good start and some cut and come again salads will be sown in the greenhouse, well after it has had a good clean up, believe it or not there are still a few tomatoes hanging around, just shows hows mild the winter is so far.
Well time for a coffee and a sneak outside to stand in the wind, I love to feel the gales while watching those wild skies, the best way to feel nature.
What a day, the strong gales are back rushing across the fens and the day stayed dark with rain at times, not what you would call festive weather, no sunny afternoon walks in the snow, well not yet anyway. The huge flock of swans are still munching their way through the winter barley behind us and the garden birds are all so happy feeding at the stations, often fighting
to keep their balance in the winds.
It's been a busy day in the barn making beads with a lot more focals being made plus an hour was spent in the clay room cleaning and trimming a few pots.
We went out in the car for the first time since Christmas eve, only a short drive to the post office in the next village to buy stamps and post bead orders off, the roads were so quiet and there was hardly a soul walking in the village, maybe all back working or just recovering from the food and drink of the past few days.
I'm hoping the weekend will be wind free as I really need to get more conifer cuttings burnt out the way ready to start getting the kitchen garden planned out and dug over. I hope to sow some first onion seed under cover to give them a good start and some cut and come again salads will be sown in the greenhouse, well after it has had a good clean up, believe it or not there are still a few tomatoes hanging around, just shows hows mild the winter is so far.
Well time for a coffee and a sneak outside to stand in the wind, I love to feel the gales while watching those wild skies, the best way to feel nature.
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
First Day Back
Work As Normal
Today we were back to normal, the kiln was on and flames were flickering, it was work as normal here in the barn. I told Yvonne to stay off for a few more days but she wanted to make some new sets for her ebay shop and I was making focals all day, I must admit it was nice to get back to my torch.
A milder day here in the fens and no wind which makes a change, all we need now is some nice fresh snow and I'll be a happy old bead maker.
Yesterday I made a few Sake cups in the clay room which was fun and they look quite good, I made a single larger jar to pour the sake from today so they will make a nice little set. It's fun trying all the new ideas out and along with throwing pots and bowls my evenings will be busy this week. As I mentions before I want to list a good selection of ceramics in my etsy shop next week including a few more unusual pieces, I have more beads to list and I'm told I need to start listing the many pendants I've made. I guess I can't just hoard away those pendants I'm not sure about like I do my beads,plus any cash from their sales will help make that electric potters wheel dream come true, even if it will be later in the new year, tho the thought of having a good wheel might mean even more evenings spent in the clay room, god how will I get all other jobs done !
I guess dreams like that help us all get through rough times and it gives up all something nice to look forward to, In my case it will also save me kicking that bloody peddle for hours while I try throwing the pots haha ! When I think of how hard potters of the past must have worked it makes you realise just how lucky we are today to even have the option of an electric wheel.
So it's with dreams in my head I leave to enjoy cold meat and pickles, a real treat after that filling roast of yesterday, enjoy your evening.
Today we were back to normal, the kiln was on and flames were flickering, it was work as normal here in the barn. I told Yvonne to stay off for a few more days but she wanted to make some new sets for her ebay shop and I was making focals all day, I must admit it was nice to get back to my torch.
A milder day here in the fens and no wind which makes a change, all we need now is some nice fresh snow and I'll be a happy old bead maker.
Yesterday I made a few Sake cups in the clay room which was fun and they look quite good, I made a single larger jar to pour the sake from today so they will make a nice little set. It's fun trying all the new ideas out and along with throwing pots and bowls my evenings will be busy this week. As I mentions before I want to list a good selection of ceramics in my etsy shop next week including a few more unusual pieces, I have more beads to list and I'm told I need to start listing the many pendants I've made. I guess I can't just hoard away those pendants I'm not sure about like I do my beads,plus any cash from their sales will help make that electric potters wheel dream come true, even if it will be later in the new year, tho the thought of having a good wheel might mean even more evenings spent in the clay room, god how will I get all other jobs done !
I guess dreams like that help us all get through rough times and it gives up all something nice to look forward to, In my case it will also save me kicking that bloody peddle for hours while I try throwing the pots haha ! When I think of how hard potters of the past must have worked it makes you realise just how lucky we are today to even have the option of an electric wheel.
So it's with dreams in my head I leave to enjoy cold meat and pickles, a real treat after that filling roast of yesterday, enjoy your evening.
Monday, 26 December 2011
Boxing Day Play
Let Me Get Out There !
Yipeeeee ! a day playing with clay while the world spends a quiet day recovering from yesterdays celebrations, now that's what I call enjoying Boxing Day. I think if I had to spend a second day sitting around doing nothing it would send me mad so let me get out there on that wheel, I have loads to do. First there are pots and bowls to trim and turn followed by throwing more pots on the wheel and with all that done I get to make pendants and beads, how can I not be happy with the day ahead.
The strong winds have turned to a gentle breeze and the sun is filling the garden, it's more like a spring morning rather than Christmas, birds are feeding on every station and the swans are once again out there across the field, a bright white sea of birds feeding in the sun.
I'm guessing there will be Hunts held all over the country today, red faced fat snobs sitting on their hunters sipping drinks while dressed in their best hunting jackets waiting for the master of the hunt to start the dogs off on set trails, yet I'm sure hoping the odd fox may appear even if the law says they shouldn't follow it ! People taking their children to watch the nice horses and the colourful riders getting ready to gallop off over the fields but never explaining to the same children what happens when they find Mr Fox.
A village boy myself and from a village where every year the hunt would meet and still does, you would think I would be a follower, after all aren't us country folk meant to believe foxes kill hundreds of chickens and anything else that moves, well sorry, not this country bumpkin, a fox to me is a beautiful wild animal with as much right to be living in our countryside as you and I and the idea of these wonderful animals being ripped apart by a pack of dogs is one that doesn't sit well in my mind, but hey don't get me started on that, I'll be here all day.
I like to think of Boxing day more for the true meaning, the day when the land owners and wealthy would repay their workers and servants with an easy day and money boxes were opened and shared out between the poor of the parish, in the big houses a boxed gift would be given to each servant, it was a day when such people as the post man, milk man or refuse collector would call at the houses they serviced for a Christmas box, all in all a day when rich would thank the poor for the work of services they had given through the past year.
Well, cuppa finished and I'm off to the clay room to play like some little kid with his new Christmas toys, I hope you all enjoy a rest today and if your off to visit family then safe journey.
Yipeeeee ! a day playing with clay while the world spends a quiet day recovering from yesterdays celebrations, now that's what I call enjoying Boxing Day. I think if I had to spend a second day sitting around doing nothing it would send me mad so let me get out there on that wheel, I have loads to do. First there are pots and bowls to trim and turn followed by throwing more pots on the wheel and with all that done I get to make pendants and beads, how can I not be happy with the day ahead.
The strong winds have turned to a gentle breeze and the sun is filling the garden, it's more like a spring morning rather than Christmas, birds are feeding on every station and the swans are once again out there across the field, a bright white sea of birds feeding in the sun.
I'm guessing there will be Hunts held all over the country today, red faced fat snobs sitting on their hunters sipping drinks while dressed in their best hunting jackets waiting for the master of the hunt to start the dogs off on set trails, yet I'm sure hoping the odd fox may appear even if the law says they shouldn't follow it ! People taking their children to watch the nice horses and the colourful riders getting ready to gallop off over the fields but never explaining to the same children what happens when they find Mr Fox.
A village boy myself and from a village where every year the hunt would meet and still does, you would think I would be a follower, after all aren't us country folk meant to believe foxes kill hundreds of chickens and anything else that moves, well sorry, not this country bumpkin, a fox to me is a beautiful wild animal with as much right to be living in our countryside as you and I and the idea of these wonderful animals being ripped apart by a pack of dogs is one that doesn't sit well in my mind, but hey don't get me started on that, I'll be here all day.
I like to think of Boxing day more for the true meaning, the day when the land owners and wealthy would repay their workers and servants with an easy day and money boxes were opened and shared out between the poor of the parish, in the big houses a boxed gift would be given to each servant, it was a day when such people as the post man, milk man or refuse collector would call at the houses they serviced for a Christmas box, all in all a day when rich would thank the poor for the work of services they had given through the past year.
Well, cuppa finished and I'm off to the clay room to play like some little kid with his new Christmas toys, I hope you all enjoy a rest today and if your off to visit family then safe journey.
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Merry Christmas To All
It's Here !!
December the 25th, Christmas day and I hope your all having a wonderful time, thank you all for your messages and emails, it's really kind of you all. Thank you to those close friends who gave us pressies, they were great and we hope you enjoyed yours.
I'm sitting watching the wild winds that once again seem to be homing in on the fens while I have a warm drink trying not to think of food haha, I think I went a little over the top which our cooked breakfast, but hey it only happens once a year and thank god we are having our roast dinner tomorrow and not today.
The birds are enjoying their Christmas seeds and fat balls and across the fields behind us are what must be hundreds of swans feeding on what looks to be young winter barley, we can hear them from here tho they must be 400 yards away, a white moving carpet grazing now for the second day running, just another of the great winter sights we are lucky enough to see here in the fenland's.
Now I think you all know me by now and yes I did think of going into the clay room to trim pots and bowls, but I have this feeling Yvonne may kill me so it's better I stay here taking it easy and relaxing plus there is always tomorrow.
I'm like a big kid here with a new ceramic book to read plus a big voucher to use on ceramic supplies, which is such a wonderful gift, so this afternoon while Yvonne watches her Christmas programmes on the tv and the dogs lay asleep in front of the fire I'll be planning my next few days in the clay room, my head is buzzing with ideas and I can't wait to get out there.
Ok, I better get back to my planning and once again wish you all a great day.
December the 25th, Christmas day and I hope your all having a wonderful time, thank you all for your messages and emails, it's really kind of you all. Thank you to those close friends who gave us pressies, they were great and we hope you enjoyed yours.
I'm sitting watching the wild winds that once again seem to be homing in on the fens while I have a warm drink trying not to think of food haha, I think I went a little over the top which our cooked breakfast, but hey it only happens once a year and thank god we are having our roast dinner tomorrow and not today.
The birds are enjoying their Christmas seeds and fat balls and across the fields behind us are what must be hundreds of swans feeding on what looks to be young winter barley, we can hear them from here tho they must be 400 yards away, a white moving carpet grazing now for the second day running, just another of the great winter sights we are lucky enough to see here in the fenland's.
Now I think you all know me by now and yes I did think of going into the clay room to trim pots and bowls, but I have this feeling Yvonne may kill me so it's better I stay here taking it easy and relaxing plus there is always tomorrow.
I'm like a big kid here with a new ceramic book to read plus a big voucher to use on ceramic supplies, which is such a wonderful gift, so this afternoon while Yvonne watches her Christmas programmes on the tv and the dogs lay asleep in front of the fire I'll be planning my next few days in the clay room, my head is buzzing with ideas and I can't wait to get out there.
Ok, I better get back to my planning and once again wish you all a great day.
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Christmas Eve
At Last We Settle Down For Christmas
Well it's Christmas eve and the wood burner stove is warming the cottage, warm sausage rolls are fresh out of the oven and the house has that all round Christmas feel. Yvonne is enjoying a well deserved rest while she watches Christmas films and I'm filling my notebook with bead and ceramic ideas. I need to get things sorted for a fresh start in the new year, ebay and etsy shops need to be stocked and of course I have a huge job ahead of me getting the ceramics listed and not just beads, pendants and pots but many more items, it's an exciting time a fresh start and I hope a new look to Rob Johnson's work, one I hope will please my customers and friends.
I know we are all thinking of the year past, maybe we have lost people dear to us or we have had problems in our lives but now we can all look forward, it's time to sit and feel that excitement of facing the coming year, a year that I'm sure will bring us all good times and new ventures, some will work and others may fail but one thing is for sure, we will learn and if we really want 2012 to be a successful one then we can make it so.
As I sit and watch the daylight fade I notice the odd Christmas lights and the last of the shoppers returning home after fighting their way around the stores and all for that one special day, haha are we all mad, no of course not, we all enjoy this time of year and we all celebrate in different ways, some will hold huge family parties, others will spend a quiet Christmas at home and some very special people will be out helping those who are less fortunate, those with no homes or family around them, a lot of which find themselves it such situations through no real fault of their own and to those that are out there helping others I really take my hat off to you, your what the meaning of Christmas is all about.
Well I guess I better get back to my notebook, but before I go I want to wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas and enjoy tomorrow in which ever way you choose.
Merry Christmas !
Well it's Christmas eve and the wood burner stove is warming the cottage, warm sausage rolls are fresh out of the oven and the house has that all round Christmas feel. Yvonne is enjoying a well deserved rest while she watches Christmas films and I'm filling my notebook with bead and ceramic ideas. I need to get things sorted for a fresh start in the new year, ebay and etsy shops need to be stocked and of course I have a huge job ahead of me getting the ceramics listed and not just beads, pendants and pots but many more items, it's an exciting time a fresh start and I hope a new look to Rob Johnson's work, one I hope will please my customers and friends.
I know we are all thinking of the year past, maybe we have lost people dear to us or we have had problems in our lives but now we can all look forward, it's time to sit and feel that excitement of facing the coming year, a year that I'm sure will bring us all good times and new ventures, some will work and others may fail but one thing is for sure, we will learn and if we really want 2012 to be a successful one then we can make it so.
As I sit and watch the daylight fade I notice the odd Christmas lights and the last of the shoppers returning home after fighting their way around the stores and all for that one special day, haha are we all mad, no of course not, we all enjoy this time of year and we all celebrate in different ways, some will hold huge family parties, others will spend a quiet Christmas at home and some very special people will be out helping those who are less fortunate, those with no homes or family around them, a lot of which find themselves it such situations through no real fault of their own and to those that are out there helping others I really take my hat off to you, your what the meaning of Christmas is all about.
Well I guess I better get back to my notebook, but before I go I want to wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas and enjoy tomorrow in which ever way you choose.
Merry Christmas !
Thursday, 22 December 2011
That Christmas Feeling
Christmas Is Close
For the first time I feel Christmas is here, the house is decorated and festive music is playing while we sort pressies out, that little kid was here for the first time in two years, wishing he was helping his mum with the preparations, those Christmas logs with holly and other seasonal foliage ready to display on the dining table and pressies being wrapped for family and friends, helping her and feeling the excitement build.
What I would give to have her here now, cooking her sausage rolls, mince pies and making those wonderful sweets we all enjoyed so much, just being in the same room made everyone happy, she was so alive and very much missed but by no means forgotten, my Christmas angel who I'm sure is watching down on us all.
Yesterday went really well, I took my aunt to a large country store which was full of Christmas goodies, food and drink that would look stunning on any Christmas table, it was so nice window shopping and she treated herself to some chocolate ginger, something else I remember from days gone by, it was rather like going back in time seeing those old festive favourites such as sugar mice and Turkish delight, I saw those wonderful crystal lemon and orange slices that the grown ups would eat Christmas evening while us kids were playing with our new toys. But of all the things I saw there was only one I wished was coming home with me, it was a box of those chocolate liqueurs, I remember how it was a real treat being given one and I would suck it until the chocolate melted and you could taste that sugar coated centre full of liqueur burst in your mouth, it's funny how those small things stick with you, odd flavours and smells.
Tomorrow we will visit our close friends in Norwich, I always look forward to that trip, it's not just great seeing them but it means Christmas is here and we will soon have a new year to look forward to, a year that I hope brings everyone so much luck and a year that will lead us down many paths in so many directions, new directions that we will explore and I hope enjoy.
For the first time I feel Christmas is here, the house is decorated and festive music is playing while we sort pressies out, that little kid was here for the first time in two years, wishing he was helping his mum with the preparations, those Christmas logs with holly and other seasonal foliage ready to display on the dining table and pressies being wrapped for family and friends, helping her and feeling the excitement build.
What I would give to have her here now, cooking her sausage rolls, mince pies and making those wonderful sweets we all enjoyed so much, just being in the same room made everyone happy, she was so alive and very much missed but by no means forgotten, my Christmas angel who I'm sure is watching down on us all.
Yesterday went really well, I took my aunt to a large country store which was full of Christmas goodies, food and drink that would look stunning on any Christmas table, it was so nice window shopping and she treated herself to some chocolate ginger, something else I remember from days gone by, it was rather like going back in time seeing those old festive favourites such as sugar mice and Turkish delight, I saw those wonderful crystal lemon and orange slices that the grown ups would eat Christmas evening while us kids were playing with our new toys. But of all the things I saw there was only one I wished was coming home with me, it was a box of those chocolate liqueurs, I remember how it was a real treat being given one and I would suck it until the chocolate melted and you could taste that sugar coated centre full of liqueur burst in your mouth, it's funny how those small things stick with you, odd flavours and smells.
Tomorrow we will visit our close friends in Norwich, I always look forward to that trip, it's not just great seeing them but it means Christmas is here and we will soon have a new year to look forward to, a year that I hope brings everyone so much luck and a year that will lead us down many paths in so many directions, new directions that we will explore and I hope enjoy.
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
No Snow Here
A Very Wet Fens
Over the last few days most around us had a covering of snow, some a good inch or two and others just a light carpet that lasted just a few hours, here, well all we had was hours and hours of rain, in fact I don't think it stopped once yesterday. I think most of you know how I love the winter snows and I was hoping we might get a few inches before Christmas but now I'm guessing we'll have to wait and see what the new year brings. My thinking is that if we get snow we just stay here and keep as warm as possible, we won't be out Christmas shopping again this year and as for food shopping, well we just can't do any, we agreed that extra food stuff was the last thing we could afford this year and we have enough food in the freezer to get us through the holidays and more so apart from some chocolate for Yvonne and my chestnuts we only need a few veg like most other weeks.
Some of you must think I'm one tight old sod but that's really not the case, it's just that we can't afford to waste any money right now but it doesn't stop us enjoying the holiday one bit, we have the Christmas decs up and we will enjoy a couple of days off relaxing too along with seeing family a friends like everyone else. We have gifts to give out also and I think that's important, you really can't get a better feeling than when somebody enjoys what you give them and I hope they all enjoy them this year.
Tomorrow I'm off to visit my auntie and take her some veg for the holiday, we are lucky here that we have so many growers in the area that the prices are far lower that most places, back home in Hertfordshire included. So I'll be off armed with a box winter veg and home made jams, plus I'll take her out for a ride to get any last minute bites she needs. I know what some of you are thinking, yes it will cost me money to travel all that way but to be honest, my auntie lives alone and is now 80 years old so for me there is nothing else I would rather do than give her a day out. If it was me I would hope someone would do the same, plus lets be honest, if it means we have a turkey and a tin of choc's or we take her out and make her smile for a day then sorry, I'd rather have baked beans on toast on Christmas day !
I'm hoping the wet weather holds off for the coming week so I can get more of the conifer trees burnt, I think it's only a matter of a few weeks and I can start planning out the new veg beds, now the garden has so much more light, making it ideal for growing, it's exciting to know it's going to happen, I'm getting a kitchen garden of a good size, one in which I can grow most of what we need and one in which I can spend many summer evenings.
On the bead side of things, the last few days have been spent making beads for Christmas pressies, as some of our close friends use our beads I can't think of a better gift to give, I know they will use them and not be stuck with some present they will never use. That reminds me I have to thank everyone for their Christmas cards and messages, it's really nice getting them and knowing there are some really wonderful people out there, thank you so much.
Before I go I need to mention the ceramic's, I promised a picture of the last batch of bowls and pots, well I'm sorry but you'll have to wait a few more days, I wasn't happy with them, well some were ok, but I have another batch to fire in the next couple of days so fingers crossed they will look a lot better and I will have the bottle to show them to you !
Over the last few days most around us had a covering of snow, some a good inch or two and others just a light carpet that lasted just a few hours, here, well all we had was hours and hours of rain, in fact I don't think it stopped once yesterday. I think most of you know how I love the winter snows and I was hoping we might get a few inches before Christmas but now I'm guessing we'll have to wait and see what the new year brings. My thinking is that if we get snow we just stay here and keep as warm as possible, we won't be out Christmas shopping again this year and as for food shopping, well we just can't do any, we agreed that extra food stuff was the last thing we could afford this year and we have enough food in the freezer to get us through the holidays and more so apart from some chocolate for Yvonne and my chestnuts we only need a few veg like most other weeks.
Some of you must think I'm one tight old sod but that's really not the case, it's just that we can't afford to waste any money right now but it doesn't stop us enjoying the holiday one bit, we have the Christmas decs up and we will enjoy a couple of days off relaxing too along with seeing family a friends like everyone else. We have gifts to give out also and I think that's important, you really can't get a better feeling than when somebody enjoys what you give them and I hope they all enjoy them this year.
Tomorrow I'm off to visit my auntie and take her some veg for the holiday, we are lucky here that we have so many growers in the area that the prices are far lower that most places, back home in Hertfordshire included. So I'll be off armed with a box winter veg and home made jams, plus I'll take her out for a ride to get any last minute bites she needs. I know what some of you are thinking, yes it will cost me money to travel all that way but to be honest, my auntie lives alone and is now 80 years old so for me there is nothing else I would rather do than give her a day out. If it was me I would hope someone would do the same, plus lets be honest, if it means we have a turkey and a tin of choc's or we take her out and make her smile for a day then sorry, I'd rather have baked beans on toast on Christmas day !
I'm hoping the wet weather holds off for the coming week so I can get more of the conifer trees burnt, I think it's only a matter of a few weeks and I can start planning out the new veg beds, now the garden has so much more light, making it ideal for growing, it's exciting to know it's going to happen, I'm getting a kitchen garden of a good size, one in which I can grow most of what we need and one in which I can spend many summer evenings.
On the bead side of things, the last few days have been spent making beads for Christmas pressies, as some of our close friends use our beads I can't think of a better gift to give, I know they will use them and not be stuck with some present they will never use. That reminds me I have to thank everyone for their Christmas cards and messages, it's really nice getting them and knowing there are some really wonderful people out there, thank you so much.
Before I go I need to mention the ceramic's, I promised a picture of the last batch of bowls and pots, well I'm sorry but you'll have to wait a few more days, I wasn't happy with them, well some were ok, but I have another batch to fire in the next couple of days so fingers crossed they will look a lot better and I will have the bottle to show them to you !
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Back To Work
Glad To Be Back For Sure.
Another early dark morning with still more rain falling, the barn all open and kiln warming while I enjoy my first cuppa of the day, no moon this morning the sky is far too dark.
It's back to work for me today after spending yesterday away from my torch, I guess in a way I enjoyed the rest but I have to say, by mid afternoon I was bored and was out in the clay room checking up on things there, I knew it would be hard keeping away but I do feel refreshed this morning and I'm looking forward to a good full day making beads.
It was nice walking around a couple of the small towns near us, the Christmas window displays with lights showing off their wares and the busy little streets full of hustle and bustle as people searched for those festive gifts, there was a real Christmas feel around unlike the large stores we all visit, those stores who just count you has a number for the till.
It's a real shame that some of our smaller towns seem to become less important to us all, we are all guilty of using the mega stores where we can buy most things under the same roof, leaving those small independent shops finding it hard to carry on, but I guess thats the way things move on in our world.
This weekend we will get the Christmas decs up and give the place a festive feel, my treat for myself yesterday was a small bag of chestnuts which I will take great pleasure in roasting on the woodburner next week. I know it's a luxury but we need a few small things to help make christmas special and to me they are one such thing. The second treat of yesterday was that I ordered some raw materials that I need to make my own ceramic glaze, ok it was just a few pounds but to us this is a lot at the moment and if I'm going to learn how to get my own glaze colours then I just have to obtain the ingredients to do so.
Ok, so I now have to get off to find out what the ceramic kiln holds in store, fingers crossed some pieces will be ok, I know there will be some crap results but maybe the odd success will be found, I'll put a picture on here of anything worth mentioning tomorrow.
Another early dark morning with still more rain falling, the barn all open and kiln warming while I enjoy my first cuppa of the day, no moon this morning the sky is far too dark.
It's back to work for me today after spending yesterday away from my torch, I guess in a way I enjoyed the rest but I have to say, by mid afternoon I was bored and was out in the clay room checking up on things there, I knew it would be hard keeping away but I do feel refreshed this morning and I'm looking forward to a good full day making beads.
It was nice walking around a couple of the small towns near us, the Christmas window displays with lights showing off their wares and the busy little streets full of hustle and bustle as people searched for those festive gifts, there was a real Christmas feel around unlike the large stores we all visit, those stores who just count you has a number for the till.
It's a real shame that some of our smaller towns seem to become less important to us all, we are all guilty of using the mega stores where we can buy most things under the same roof, leaving those small independent shops finding it hard to carry on, but I guess thats the way things move on in our world.
This weekend we will get the Christmas decs up and give the place a festive feel, my treat for myself yesterday was a small bag of chestnuts which I will take great pleasure in roasting on the woodburner next week. I know it's a luxury but we need a few small things to help make christmas special and to me they are one such thing. The second treat of yesterday was that I ordered some raw materials that I need to make my own ceramic glaze, ok it was just a few pounds but to us this is a lot at the moment and if I'm going to learn how to get my own glaze colours then I just have to obtain the ingredients to do so.
Ok, so I now have to get off to find out what the ceramic kiln holds in store, fingers crossed some pieces will be ok, I know there will be some crap results but maybe the odd success will be found, I'll put a picture on here of anything worth mentioning tomorrow.
Day Off
Already Feeling Guilty
Yes it's happening, we are having a whole day off work, I can't believe I feel guilty already and its not even 8am yet, I did manage to turn on the ceramic kiln tho for a glaze firing, so I hope tomorrow morning I will have some nice finished pots and bowls to look at, well fingers crossed !
I'm firing pots in batches while I try out different glazes, as I said before I seem to have no trouble making the items I just never seem that happy with the finished colours, I was told this would happen and and I guess it's all part of learning just like those early days making beads when you find some glass just doesn't like to play with others. Apart from that I must admit I love throwing the pots, yes the old kick wheel I have gets the legs working over time but its fun and maybe in 2012 I will get that dream of a tabletop electric wheel to use, tho the price tag of around £400 seems so far out of reach that the old kick wheel as no worry of being made redundant just yet haha, and as we all know it's good to have dreams.
We have those wild winds back here this morning and the rain is falling over the flat lands, so yet again I find myself looking out upon some stunning skies as I write my blog. The barn looks so cold and quiet across the garden this morning but tomorrow my little warm haven will be full of life again with kiln warming and flames burning well into the day, we just needed a day away from it all after the hours we have been putting in this last month or two, a day spent looking around the small local shops followed by an afternoon spent sorting through one of the spare bedrooms, there is so much clutter and I'm sure some could be listed and sold on ebay.
Well I better get brushed up ready for our shopping trip and face the weather, I'm sure I must be one of a very few who loves to drive in the rain, but hey, I guess I'm not that normal so nothing new there. I hope you all enjoy your day and keep in the warm.
Yes it's happening, we are having a whole day off work, I can't believe I feel guilty already and its not even 8am yet, I did manage to turn on the ceramic kiln tho for a glaze firing, so I hope tomorrow morning I will have some nice finished pots and bowls to look at, well fingers crossed !
I'm firing pots in batches while I try out different glazes, as I said before I seem to have no trouble making the items I just never seem that happy with the finished colours, I was told this would happen and and I guess it's all part of learning just like those early days making beads when you find some glass just doesn't like to play with others. Apart from that I must admit I love throwing the pots, yes the old kick wheel I have gets the legs working over time but its fun and maybe in 2012 I will get that dream of a tabletop electric wheel to use, tho the price tag of around £400 seems so far out of reach that the old kick wheel as no worry of being made redundant just yet haha, and as we all know it's good to have dreams.
We have those wild winds back here this morning and the rain is falling over the flat lands, so yet again I find myself looking out upon some stunning skies as I write my blog. The barn looks so cold and quiet across the garden this morning but tomorrow my little warm haven will be full of life again with kiln warming and flames burning well into the day, we just needed a day away from it all after the hours we have been putting in this last month or two, a day spent looking around the small local shops followed by an afternoon spent sorting through one of the spare bedrooms, there is so much clutter and I'm sure some could be listed and sold on ebay.
Well I better get brushed up ready for our shopping trip and face the weather, I'm sure I must be one of a very few who loves to drive in the rain, but hey, I guess I'm not that normal so nothing new there. I hope you all enjoy your day and keep in the warm.
Monday, 12 December 2011
I could Sit Here All Day
What A Fantastic Morning
Here I sit looking out into the darkness with the magical sound of the rain filling my ears and the winds blowing across the fens bending every tree while heading off to the east coast. The barn is open and kiln warming yet I could sit here all day with my wheatbag keeping me warm watching the wild weather outside, the sheets of rain making the most amazing sounds and giving me goose bumps.
A long while yet before light comes and in a way I wish the day could stay like this, just once keeping the dark here adding to the gales that blow over and around us, not letting us see those dark skies that hide above waiting to show off at dawn, the darkness that makes our earing run wild and imagination play the most amazing tricks, god I'm loving every second.
I can see whats almost a full moon which along with the sounds I'm hearing reminds me of those old horror films, all we need are the wolf calls and we have it all. The dark sky is fighting to cover that amazing moon yet the old man still returns after every black cloud passes.
The question is will we get a full day working, will the power last the gales, we seem to have more power cuts here than we ever did back in Hertfordshire, the miles of open flat land no match for the winds so lines get damaged often, torches and candles being a way of life around here in the winter months.
I'm heading off to my flame soon as I can't wait to sit next to my warm kiln with this raw weather around me, safe in my little haven hidden under the trees with just the sounds of the rain and winds in the background, what magical tricks will the glass produce today I wonder, just maybe the perfect day for that perfect bead, we'll wait and see !
Here I sit looking out into the darkness with the magical sound of the rain filling my ears and the winds blowing across the fens bending every tree while heading off to the east coast. The barn is open and kiln warming yet I could sit here all day with my wheatbag keeping me warm watching the wild weather outside, the sheets of rain making the most amazing sounds and giving me goose bumps.
A long while yet before light comes and in a way I wish the day could stay like this, just once keeping the dark here adding to the gales that blow over and around us, not letting us see those dark skies that hide above waiting to show off at dawn, the darkness that makes our earing run wild and imagination play the most amazing tricks, god I'm loving every second.
I can see whats almost a full moon which along with the sounds I'm hearing reminds me of those old horror films, all we need are the wolf calls and we have it all. The dark sky is fighting to cover that amazing moon yet the old man still returns after every black cloud passes.
The question is will we get a full day working, will the power last the gales, we seem to have more power cuts here than we ever did back in Hertfordshire, the miles of open flat land no match for the winds so lines get damaged often, torches and candles being a way of life around here in the winter months.
I'm heading off to my flame soon as I can't wait to sit next to my warm kiln with this raw weather around me, safe in my little haven hidden under the trees with just the sounds of the rain and winds in the background, what magical tricks will the glass produce today I wonder, just maybe the perfect day for that perfect bead, we'll wait and see !
Ready For The Weather
Gale Warnings
Well with the sound of gale warnings for this week ringing in our ears we start the week huddled next to the kiln safe and sound, the rest of the world races by without even knowing we are here and to be honest that's just how I like it.
The weekend was a warm one for us having lit the wood burner stove in the sitting room for once the house seemed normal, warm and inviting. It was the first time this winter we had lit it and boy did it make a difference, with not having any heating in the cottage apart from a few tiny electric rads that we find very expensive to run it was so nice to sit and relax without all the layers of clothes, tho we both fell asleep in the evenings haha. Just the site of the flames seem to make it feel warm, I guess we are lucky having the stove as most houses these days don't have any form of open fire.
I think the stove will be a weekend thing as we never seem to get into the cottage until around 7pm weekdays after working in the barn, so really to light it then would be a waste to time and fuel as by ten I'm ready for bed.
The week ahead is a busy one with lampwork taking up my time until early afternoon followed by ceramics until the early evening, I'm really looking forward to it, I get to work with two mediums that I love and enjoy using so who could ask for a better job.
The last of autumn is really down to it's bare bones now with only a few late flowers hanging on here in the garden, seed heads seem to hang around ready to face the cold winter ice and the berry larder puts a smile on the faces of many a blackbird. The ponds formed their first ice of the winter last week with I'm sure much more to come, I guess we are lucky so far as this time last year we had snow hanging around, not clear blue skies like we see here over the fens this morning.
I better get off to my flame, I have focals to make and wine bottles to hammer this morning, oh how different the life of a beadmaker !
Well with the sound of gale warnings for this week ringing in our ears we start the week huddled next to the kiln safe and sound, the rest of the world races by without even knowing we are here and to be honest that's just how I like it.
The weekend was a warm one for us having lit the wood burner stove in the sitting room for once the house seemed normal, warm and inviting. It was the first time this winter we had lit it and boy did it make a difference, with not having any heating in the cottage apart from a few tiny electric rads that we find very expensive to run it was so nice to sit and relax without all the layers of clothes, tho we both fell asleep in the evenings haha. Just the site of the flames seem to make it feel warm, I guess we are lucky having the stove as most houses these days don't have any form of open fire.
I think the stove will be a weekend thing as we never seem to get into the cottage until around 7pm weekdays after working in the barn, so really to light it then would be a waste to time and fuel as by ten I'm ready for bed.
The week ahead is a busy one with lampwork taking up my time until early afternoon followed by ceramics until the early evening, I'm really looking forward to it, I get to work with two mediums that I love and enjoy using so who could ask for a better job.
The last of autumn is really down to it's bare bones now with only a few late flowers hanging on here in the garden, seed heads seem to hang around ready to face the cold winter ice and the berry larder puts a smile on the faces of many a blackbird. The ponds formed their first ice of the winter last week with I'm sure much more to come, I guess we are lucky so far as this time last year we had snow hanging around, not clear blue skies like we see here over the fens this morning.
I better get off to my flame, I have focals to make and wine bottles to hammer this morning, oh how different the life of a beadmaker !
Saturday, 10 December 2011
A Magical Frost
A Winters welcome
Here in the fens the world is covered with the magical sparkle of morning frost with the sun bringing out every ice mirror giving the garden a coat of crystal, so raw is winter's welcome this morning, the mild damp weather of autumn gone for another year.
It was another early start for me with cold hands I opened the barn, cold and dark yet there ready to make my day another happy one, my little glass haven where dreams and ideas are thought through and success and failure run hand in hand, my safe place where I can forget the world and her problems, lost in my love affair with my flame.
No winds this morning so still the trees are, soaking up the sun as if it was their last, most bare now with there golden jewellery laying beneath forming carpets to every path in the garden and that huge still blue sky hangs above us with not a single threatening cloud.
It's a mixed day ahead for me, beads to clean and photograph with listing to be made this afternoon and also a few hours in the clay room call with pots to throw and ideas to try out. When I started to play with ceramics I really didnt imagine there were so many avenues and options to be found in one medium, ideas fill my head and I will never have enough time to try them all, but I'm sure I'll manage to give some a go, I know some results will be unpopular but maybe a few will please some and that will make the effort worth while.
Well maybe if I'm lucky I'll get to have another bonfire this afternoon as the wind is so still so won't effect any neighbours with smoke, fingers crossed as I really need to get more burnt out the way.
Just one more thing before I get on, if Claire Sage reads this blog could you plaese email me on upwellsell@aol.com since I changed my email I lost a lot of contacts and I would like to email you to thank you Claire for Christmas card, I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Here in the fens the world is covered with the magical sparkle of morning frost with the sun bringing out every ice mirror giving the garden a coat of crystal, so raw is winter's welcome this morning, the mild damp weather of autumn gone for another year.
It was another early start for me with cold hands I opened the barn, cold and dark yet there ready to make my day another happy one, my little glass haven where dreams and ideas are thought through and success and failure run hand in hand, my safe place where I can forget the world and her problems, lost in my love affair with my flame.
No winds this morning so still the trees are, soaking up the sun as if it was their last, most bare now with there golden jewellery laying beneath forming carpets to every path in the garden and that huge still blue sky hangs above us with not a single threatening cloud.
It's a mixed day ahead for me, beads to clean and photograph with listing to be made this afternoon and also a few hours in the clay room call with pots to throw and ideas to try out. When I started to play with ceramics I really didnt imagine there were so many avenues and options to be found in one medium, ideas fill my head and I will never have enough time to try them all, but I'm sure I'll manage to give some a go, I know some results will be unpopular but maybe a few will please some and that will make the effort worth while.
Well maybe if I'm lucky I'll get to have another bonfire this afternoon as the wind is so still so won't effect any neighbours with smoke, fingers crossed as I really need to get more burnt out the way.
Just one more thing before I get on, if Claire Sage reads this blog could you plaese email me on upwellsell@aol.com since I changed my email I lost a lot of contacts and I would like to email you to thank you Claire for Christmas card, I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Late Cuppa
Yet Another Early Start
It was again an early start for me this morning, I woke to the sound of those big fen winds blowing across the rich dark fields and after laying there for half an hour I knew it was no use, I had to get up and about. So out I went to turn on the kiln and get things ready for another day of bliss working with my flame, the barn always feels so different on these dark mornings, cold and sleeping like an old giant waiting to come to life with the flick of a light switch, then it becomes such a magical place where glass and fire work together, a place that keeps us warm through all the winter and a place where worries disappear for the day.
It's another late coffee time for me today and now the sunshine fills the garden while the strong winds make the conifer trees dance, all to the sound of the lock keeper working the lock a few hundred yards across the fields, some winter boater must be passing through Upwell. Those little canal boats look so cosy with their little stove chimney's smoking away, the stoves inside keeping the boat nice and warm.
All types to make today bead wise but I also need to throw a few pots this afternoon, it's been five days since I was playing on my wheel and I have missed it, that little kid inside me who loves to be covered in wet clay needs to get out again to enjoy himself. I found some old shelf brackets in the tool barn so I managed to get more shelves up in the clay room, the more the better for standing pots and bowls on to dry, the place really seems to be taking shape now, it looks like a potters room at last.
Ok I better get back to it, things to make and dreams to dream !
It was again an early start for me this morning, I woke to the sound of those big fen winds blowing across the rich dark fields and after laying there for half an hour I knew it was no use, I had to get up and about. So out I went to turn on the kiln and get things ready for another day of bliss working with my flame, the barn always feels so different on these dark mornings, cold and sleeping like an old giant waiting to come to life with the flick of a light switch, then it becomes such a magical place where glass and fire work together, a place that keeps us warm through all the winter and a place where worries disappear for the day.
It's another late coffee time for me today and now the sunshine fills the garden while the strong winds make the conifer trees dance, all to the sound of the lock keeper working the lock a few hundred yards across the fields, some winter boater must be passing through Upwell. Those little canal boats look so cosy with their little stove chimney's smoking away, the stoves inside keeping the boat nice and warm.
All types to make today bead wise but I also need to throw a few pots this afternoon, it's been five days since I was playing on my wheel and I have missed it, that little kid inside me who loves to be covered in wet clay needs to get out again to enjoy himself. I found some old shelf brackets in the tool barn so I managed to get more shelves up in the clay room, the more the better for standing pots and bowls on to dry, the place really seems to be taking shape now, it looks like a potters room at last.
Ok I better get back to it, things to make and dreams to dream !
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Fresh Clean Frost
White Cover For The Fens
Now this is the kind of winter morning I like, cold fresh with a thick coating of frost yet that tiny hint of sunshine lost under those grey clouds. The sound of game birds on the fields behind us add to the feel, a group of five cock pheasants walking picking at the soil make a stunning picture with those wonderful colours moving between the frost coated grasses.
It's a later cuppa for me this morning as I got carried away cleaning beads ready to photograph and list this evening and I have to admit this bowl of hot porridge went down a treat, a nice warm start to the day. Yesterday was the first time this year I had to fill the stone hot water bottle that I use to keep my feet warm when working, it was the first really cold day in the barn, a sign of things to come I'm guessing.
This morning I opened the ceramic kiln to find the selection of pots I had bisque fired all safe and well so with any luck I'll get to glaze them later this week and just maybe list a couple on etsy to see what feedback they get, fingers crossed.
A good friend told us about those wheatbags you can buy to heat and wear so we are hoping we can afford a couple later in the month to wear while we work, at the moment our only source of heat in the barn is electric and to be totally honest we can't afford to use it, with the next couple of months heading our way when sales will be next to nothing as they are already, the last thing we need is to use lots of electric. I have a feeling this winter is to be a real challenge to us work wise, all I ask is that we get through it ok with the bills paid, I don't give a monkeys fart about anything else just that we get bills paid and we stay ok health wise. In a way I'm looking forward to it, it will be hard and to say I'm not worried would be a lie but we are up for it and if I have to pack up making beads then at least I can say I gave it my all, I always did that in sport and have done in work, so touch wood we get to the spring still sitting making beads and still loving every second doing so.
Now it's time to get back to the barn, the sun is out and the morning frost is melting into the garden so it may turn out to be a nice clear day, lets hope so, enjoy your day.
Now this is the kind of winter morning I like, cold fresh with a thick coating of frost yet that tiny hint of sunshine lost under those grey clouds. The sound of game birds on the fields behind us add to the feel, a group of five cock pheasants walking picking at the soil make a stunning picture with those wonderful colours moving between the frost coated grasses.
It's a later cuppa for me this morning as I got carried away cleaning beads ready to photograph and list this evening and I have to admit this bowl of hot porridge went down a treat, a nice warm start to the day. Yesterday was the first time this year I had to fill the stone hot water bottle that I use to keep my feet warm when working, it was the first really cold day in the barn, a sign of things to come I'm guessing.
This morning I opened the ceramic kiln to find the selection of pots I had bisque fired all safe and well so with any luck I'll get to glaze them later this week and just maybe list a couple on etsy to see what feedback they get, fingers crossed.
A good friend told us about those wheatbags you can buy to heat and wear so we are hoping we can afford a couple later in the month to wear while we work, at the moment our only source of heat in the barn is electric and to be totally honest we can't afford to use it, with the next couple of months heading our way when sales will be next to nothing as they are already, the last thing we need is to use lots of electric. I have a feeling this winter is to be a real challenge to us work wise, all I ask is that we get through it ok with the bills paid, I don't give a monkeys fart about anything else just that we get bills paid and we stay ok health wise. In a way I'm looking forward to it, it will be hard and to say I'm not worried would be a lie but we are up for it and if I have to pack up making beads then at least I can say I gave it my all, I always did that in sport and have done in work, so touch wood we get to the spring still sitting making beads and still loving every second doing so.
Now it's time to get back to the barn, the sun is out and the morning frost is melting into the garden so it may turn out to be a nice clear day, lets hope so, enjoy your day.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Bottle Bead Day
Hammer At The Ready
I'm one happy little beadmaker this morning, up with the lark ready for a day making recycled beads from wine bottles. I first need to pick out the bottles I'll use then take the hammer to them giving me some nice size pieces to use, then it's play time and we will see what we can come up with.
I'm thinking ring beads, lentils with matching spacers and maybe tubes too, after that it will be just trial and error to see what I can produce, I'm really looking forward to it.
I just want to thank those who sent messages about the slider toys, I did mention they can become a bit addictive and you find yourself fiddling with them when worn, but hey, they are fun and I've been told they make great keyrings or phone charms, even used as zip pulls seems to work so give them a try.
It's just getting light here and again it's rather cold here in the fens and this may sound silly to some but when I sat down here with my cuppa looking out at the cold darkness I thought how those old tramps must find warmth in the winter, the guys you still see traveling across the country by foot or by bike, how the hell do they keep warm on these long dark nights, god we really don't know how lucky we are sometimes. Yes we all have problems and yes things are bad for some of us but we do have a roof over our heads and food on the table, we can change into clean clothes every day and we have hot water, none of which those guys have, and there was me trying to sort out christmas when really I need to start thinking of more important things and not myself.
I'm one happy little beadmaker this morning, up with the lark ready for a day making recycled beads from wine bottles. I first need to pick out the bottles I'll use then take the hammer to them giving me some nice size pieces to use, then it's play time and we will see what we can come up with.
I'm thinking ring beads, lentils with matching spacers and maybe tubes too, after that it will be just trial and error to see what I can produce, I'm really looking forward to it.
I just want to thank those who sent messages about the slider toys, I did mention they can become a bit addictive and you find yourself fiddling with them when worn, but hey, they are fun and I've been told they make great keyrings or phone charms, even used as zip pulls seems to work so give them a try.
It's just getting light here and again it's rather cold here in the fens and this may sound silly to some but when I sat down here with my cuppa looking out at the cold darkness I thought how those old tramps must find warmth in the winter, the guys you still see traveling across the country by foot or by bike, how the hell do they keep warm on these long dark nights, god we really don't know how lucky we are sometimes. Yes we all have problems and yes things are bad for some of us but we do have a roof over our heads and food on the table, we can change into clean clothes every day and we have hot water, none of which those guys have, and there was me trying to sort out christmas when really I need to start thinking of more important things and not myself.
Still Not Rich
Cold Car Boot
Well I'm still here and still making beads for the next few years, no treasures found at the car boot this morning tho I did manage to obtain some old cod bottles for next to nothing, they were meant to be for making beads but I think knowing me the thought of taking a hammer to them may just be too much and they will live alongside others in the barn.
It was a bitter wind but there were a lot of people there and after getting a coffee I enjoyed walking around hunting down that one lost treasure I long for. I always keep my eye out for any old coloured glass that I can smash and use to make beads, it's just a real shame there don't sell that well, maybe people just don't worry about recycling as much as I thought, to me the idea of using this old glass, a lot of which will end up in bottle banks and landfill sites all over the country is a great idea. I guess because you can't mix the glass like you can soft bought lampworking glass and you have to make sets which to most look plain the fact they are helping with a greener life don't matter, it's a real shame as I love making them so much and in fact tomorrow I'll be spending all day making them.
When you see beads found from sites of historical interest such as Roman or Saxon the thing you notice is they are just simple plain beads, yes they may have the odd dot or stripe on them but most are just plain. The people living then were used to plain living, they appreciated the simple things in life and any piece of bead jewellery was of great value to them a real prize that was passed down through families. Today we want the flash, the sparkle and glitter on everything, isn't that sad, I must say that of all the people I have known in my life those who love the more natural things in life, those who don't care for fast cars, big screen tv sets etc are some of the happiest people I know, they seem to be contented with their life and they don't worry about paying for those luxury items that so many of us want, yes want not need.
So I guess with this in mind making recycled bottle beads won't ever make me much money but boy I'll have some great times doing so and for those who do enjoy using them in their jewellery then I hope they make you happy also.
Ok I better get off I have dinner to cook and an evening relaxing to look forward too, I hope you have all enjoyed your weekend.
Well I'm still here and still making beads for the next few years, no treasures found at the car boot this morning tho I did manage to obtain some old cod bottles for next to nothing, they were meant to be for making beads but I think knowing me the thought of taking a hammer to them may just be too much and they will live alongside others in the barn.
It was a bitter wind but there were a lot of people there and after getting a coffee I enjoyed walking around hunting down that one lost treasure I long for. I always keep my eye out for any old coloured glass that I can smash and use to make beads, it's just a real shame there don't sell that well, maybe people just don't worry about recycling as much as I thought, to me the idea of using this old glass, a lot of which will end up in bottle banks and landfill sites all over the country is a great idea. I guess because you can't mix the glass like you can soft bought lampworking glass and you have to make sets which to most look plain the fact they are helping with a greener life don't matter, it's a real shame as I love making them so much and in fact tomorrow I'll be spending all day making them.
When you see beads found from sites of historical interest such as Roman or Saxon the thing you notice is they are just simple plain beads, yes they may have the odd dot or stripe on them but most are just plain. The people living then were used to plain living, they appreciated the simple things in life and any piece of bead jewellery was of great value to them a real prize that was passed down through families. Today we want the flash, the sparkle and glitter on everything, isn't that sad, I must say that of all the people I have known in my life those who love the more natural things in life, those who don't care for fast cars, big screen tv sets etc are some of the happiest people I know, they seem to be contented with their life and they don't worry about paying for those luxury items that so many of us want, yes want not need.
So I guess with this in mind making recycled bottle beads won't ever make me much money but boy I'll have some great times doing so and for those who do enjoy using them in their jewellery then I hope they make you happy also.
Ok I better get off I have dinner to cook and an evening relaxing to look forward too, I hope you have all enjoyed your weekend.
Treasure Hunting
Time Off For Good Behaviour
It;s a cold sunday morning and I'm off to treasure hunt at the local car boot sale, a few hours away from work and the barn hoping I can find something of interest, maybe that odd treasure worth hundreds of pounds of maybe just some pieces that may help with my ceramic work, things I can use for surface textures etc.
I find it amazing what people sell at these fairs and often see items that make me think back to my childhood even toys and games that I enjoyed as a child over 40 years ago. It's a big car boot and is busy with customers from the surrounding area, there is a good mixture of sellers with some retail sellers with their christmas stock of toys and decorations, but I like the tables which are full of what we would call " old tat", where there is a mixture of old and new to look through.
Every time I set off I tell Yvonne I'll be back with some treasure that we can sell and ease out worries haha but yet to do so, maybe this week is the week and I'll be on here later telling you of my find all excited as we will be rich, yer right !
The good thing is I get a couple of hours alone to think plus Yvonne gets a rest from me moaning about everything so it does both of us good.
I'll let you know this evening how I get on, wish me luck.
It;s a cold sunday morning and I'm off to treasure hunt at the local car boot sale, a few hours away from work and the barn hoping I can find something of interest, maybe that odd treasure worth hundreds of pounds of maybe just some pieces that may help with my ceramic work, things I can use for surface textures etc.
I find it amazing what people sell at these fairs and often see items that make me think back to my childhood even toys and games that I enjoyed as a child over 40 years ago. It's a big car boot and is busy with customers from the surrounding area, there is a good mixture of sellers with some retail sellers with their christmas stock of toys and decorations, but I like the tables which are full of what we would call " old tat", where there is a mixture of old and new to look through.
Every time I set off I tell Yvonne I'll be back with some treasure that we can sell and ease out worries haha but yet to do so, maybe this week is the week and I'll be on here later telling you of my find all excited as we will be rich, yer right !
The good thing is I get a couple of hours alone to think plus Yvonne gets a rest from me moaning about everything so it does both of us good.
I'll let you know this evening how I get on, wish me luck.
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