KriketBroadhurst

New blog address

2011-04-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

Hi to those few followers of my little blog on blogspot. I have moved my blog to my new website so if you fancy still keeping in touch you can go to the new address and follow me there as I cannot work out how to transfer you across!

Onwards and upwards!

I am moving - virtually......

2011-03-03T02:49:00.000-08:00

hello - long time no post.
But I am back and in a new space on-line, I have been busy building a new website (yes BUILDING) and it has taken many weeks, I am not totally finished but please take a look, give feedback and read new posts on my new blog.
If you fancy you can subscribe to new posts via the RSS feed at the top of the new blog page, the little orange heart on the right hand side at top, or via facebook.

Hope you like!

So many ways to see

2011-01-10T09:26:00.002-08:00

Menai Suspension Bridge light box (with reflected flower shadow) by Sarah Wollerton

Happy 20 11, Happy 2000 and 11!!

Whichever way you choose to say it we are well and truly into a new year already.

Eek, 10 days down and all those promises to start eagerly on Jan 3rd very quickly fell by the wayside for me.

Still, here I am back at my desk and ready to start a new adventure!

I have enrolled in an online, 'build your own' website course, with dynamic Tara Gentile of Scoutie Girl fame.

I do have a website but it is pretty much non-effective as I do not possess the where with all to manipulate it the way I would like (read, I am too computer illiterate) so I have decide the best way is to be shown and then to do. Of course this means making more decisions myself about just how it will all look - which actually I would prefer to do, now I have a clearer direction in which to take my work.

I want my blog, my gallery, my info and a selling platform, all under one roof; with a concise and up to date feel that also reflects my personality.

Hmmm hard task, but I will endeavour to achieve this, without too many tears, no tantrums (yeah right!), regular food breaks (taken at a table) and with a sense of acceptance that what I create will be ok.

White Christmas

2010-12-21T04:44:00.000-08:00

Well it has been snowing, cold and icy for 5 days now-

with more snow forecast.

The whole nation has come to a standstill with roads closed,

airports in caos and only some trains running.

We have had more snow here on Anglesey than has been

seen in 25 years.

So it means no adventures (except sledging down local hills)

and no shopping jaunts.

The only thing we can do is bunker down,

pull the blankets up to our chins

and enjoy the company of local friends, food and of course pubs -

the only things that really matter.

So a Merry Christmas to you - no matter where you are.

And let's hope for a fantastic 2011.

xxx

Abundance of greenery

2010-12-08T03:58:00.000-08:00

My wreath with eucalyptus, fir, gum leaves, thistle (and always the Aussie),
tiny painted silver gum nuts

With snow on the ground and a distinct Arctic chill in the air a group of us got together to make Christmas wreaths - the first time I had ever made one.

We had piles of greenery, berries, dried fruits and other gorgeous bits to decorate our wreaths with.

For me it was a really calming experience after 3 solid weeks of cutting, filing and pounding silver and constructing jewellery.

I was able to switch off and just play with the resources on the table in front of me.

We all ended up with very different, beautiful and unique wreaths to hang on our doors.

Showing, I guess, a reflection of our personalities

and moods on the day.

The coldest place on Earth?

2010-11-30T06:23:00.000-08:00

A friend told me that on Sunday, the Uk

was the coldest place on Earth!

Hard to believe, but I can handle it if it continues

to provide such spectacular scenes.

Glancing out my window, whilst very hard at

work for the last 3 weeks,

the views have been one of the few things keeping me going!

Oh my Dali!

2010-11-18T01:38:00.000-08:00

Eye of the time brooch - Salvador Dali
Taken at an exhibition currently showing at MNAC Gallery in Barcelona

The other night I was watching, 'Turn Back Time - The High Street' , a program about a study of Britain's high street and how, over the eras, the face, style and needs of the high street have changed. Essentially there is a 'cast' of everyday people who, for a week, must embrace the way of life of a particular time period and stock their shops with the wares of that time.

This week it was about the 1930's experience and showed how quickly, patrons of the high street were starting to embrace the notion of mass produced products that were beginning to be sold in most shops.

At the end of the program, the shop owners are judged on how much money they make and the methods they use to make that money. Naturally, the shops selling products that are readily available were the ones who not only sold the most stock, but were also the ones who worked less hours and therefore enjoyed a better quality of life.

The toy maker, bakers and dress maker, who all relied on their skills in producing labour intensive goods were the ones who fared less well. At the end of the program, the dress maker who had spent countless hours producing 3 bespoke dresses for her customers, was slightly criticised for having not sold one, 'off the peg ' dress in the whole week. She had though, as one presenter pointed out, shown that there was a demand for a dressmaker who would and could make special, one-off pieces for her clients.

After watching I was left with the sense that as Artists, Makers and Designers we could so often be tempted and encouraged to take the easy route by buying mass produced components and reassembling them and selling them as our own work; but thankfully there is a drive and strong sense of individuality that prevents many of us from doing just that.

Dali, with his extraordinary imagination and skill (although he was the Designer but not Artisan of these jewellery pieces), reminds me that it is so important to have people who are willing to push the boundaries and produce bespoke, original, inspiring and sometimes totally, 'over the top' pieces of work.

Ruby lips and teeth like pearls brooch - Salvador Dali
Taken at an exhibition currently showing at MNAC Gallery in Barcelona

View from the top

2010-11-11T03:52:00.000-08:00

looking down on one of the mosaic tower tops

While salivating over all the glorious fresh produce at the

La Boqueria Market in Barcelona, I could not help but draw comparisons

between the perfectly ordered displays of fruit, veg and seafood

and the crazy, bizarre mosaiced turrets on the pillars of La Sagrada Familia.

La Sagrada Familia turrets

fresh produce in La Boqueria market, Barcelona

Splendour in the Columns

2010-11-09T06:11:00.000-08:00

Looking up into the ceiling of the Sagrada Familia

Stainglass light

Scaling an external tower

10 years ago I first laid eyes on Antoni Gaudi's, Temple of the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain.

I remember being totally blown away by the Gothic strangeness of the exterior and by the unbelievable scale of the interior. Climbing one of the towers was like being on a strange roller coaster, where tiny, precise views opened out onto religious motifs, strange and queerly mosaiced turrets, sculptured snails and creatures crawling down the facade, all combined with a giddy 100 metre or so view.

At that time the interior was very much a work site and still very hollow containing the lower half of the mighty internal columns, which just had bundles of reinforced steel bars spewing from their open, ragged tops.

These columns, which branch and curve like majestic forest trees, are now complete and walking into the almost finished interior was like transcending to another dimension.

To me the space is breathtaking and totally moving, because it seems so incredible that these columns could have been designed over 125 years ago and following Gaudi's specifications have actually been constructed.

Looking up you almost don't know where to focus because they are so tall and so precisely decorated with mosaics, glass and soft forms that they seem to move and sway gently, as if disturbed by a soft Mediterranean breeze.

View from rooftop of La Pedrera

Workmen clearing the dust

Side windows letting in natural light

Photoshop Tutorial

2010-10-29T00:53:00.000-07:00

Mastered the art in drilling perfect holes in my sea glass

As my, ' JUST get organised & stop wasting time', endeavour continues, I am undertaking a 2 hour intensive photoshop tutorial in;

'How to get my photos looking great for uploading to the web (because even though the look great on the LED screen of my SLR, once downloaded to the computer the colour is all wrong (why is this so?)'

Now 2 hours may not be enough time at all to get totally to grips with this all powerful and mighty program, but it will be long enough to get me nice and cosy and familiar with the basics.

I have tried to teach myself, trolled the Internet looking for help, contorted myself inside out and even pleaded with the computer gods to just please do it for me whilst my back is turned.

But alas all that has failed.

So I have booked a session with a friend who hopefully can point me in the right direction - and if that fails perhaps she will be kind enough to do it for me whilst my back is turned.

I have been slack but busy too.... learning

2010-10-26T02:00:00.000-07:00

How to hang jewellery for easy photographing

Hmmm not such an inspirational photo I know - but practical.

I have been trying to problem solve various methods for arranging pieces of jewellery before photographing them. I need the process to be quick, repeatable and practical.

So using a combination of trial and error and help I have gleamed from the wonderful WWW I have come up with a solution for hanging earrings (multiple pairs) and necklaces ready for photographing.

And in the spirit of sharing I can now pass these tips on to anyone who has been trying to take successful photos.

What you need

* a frame ( an old picture frame is perfect )

* 2 shelf brackets (as in photo above), 2 screws, screwdriver

* bulldog clips, string or fishing line, some invisible thread (or super fine fishing line), thumb tacks

* strip of wood a bit longer than the frame

What you do

As in the photo above screw the 2 shelf brackets to the bottom of the frame - so that it has the support to stand on it's own and balance. Then tape the strip of wood to the top of brackets to add as a weight

Take a length of your string - I have chosen coloured because I want it to be part of the shot - or fishing line and at the top, secure it to one side of the frame using thumb tacks or nails.

Now take a piece of the invisible thread or thin fishing line and depending on your earring lengths - secure it below the first row of string.

Take each of the ends of the string and invisible line and secure tightly to the other end using the bulldog clips.

The idea is that the earrings hang from the top thread and the invisible thread is used to 'anchor' the earrings so that they do not move and swing. You can hang a few pairs at decent spacings along the row - making it quicker when it comes to photographing them. You just move your tripod along to the next pair.

The frame can also be used for hanging necklaces to make them appear as if they are floating in mid air.

In the photo above you can see the bull dog clips are used as hanging devices to drape the necklace over. You can spread these clips out as far as you need to get the correct position for your piece. You can also see the shelf brackets at the bottom acting as feet.

Once you place the frame inside a light tent or light box and position your camera to the angle you want (in this case front on) you can take your shot. Having the earrings anchored in this way means you do not have to wait patiently for them to stop swinging. It also enables you to secure them exactly as you want.

You can see the 'invisible' thread in this shot because I have not cleaned it up yet and also because I have used a thicker thread to highlight my point. Using photo editing you can rub out the lines in no time at all.

A front on shot of a choker

Further tips
* You can angle the frame however you like taking photos side on or from the back.

* You can use the invisible thread to anchor necklaces as well to stop them swinging.

* The invisible thread needs to be taught so you need to have it low enough below your hanging thread to create tension.

* You can line up several pairs of earrings making it quick to photograph multiple pairs.

make sure you have a continual background - ie: something that is not going to show edges or lines when you angle your camera to get various shots. A long piece of card or paper that can be taped to the top of your light box or tent and that curves down and along the floor is great.

Back to the real world

2010-10-18T05:56:00.001-07:00

anitque sign

who lives @ number 12?

faded glory

remains of a sign

Well hello - here I am back in my studio, contemplating my next move and at the same time dreaming of moving to Provence.

France is beautiful, a country full of friendly people, happy dogs and gourmet produce all wrapped up in a sublime package of beautiful vistas, quaint villages, atmospheric restaurants and an incredible history.

Since returning I have been very busy re-organising and re-designing my studio, so that it is more 'user friendly' and organised. Mosaic and associated paraphernalia at one end and jewellery making/designing/fabrication at the other.

I was super busy before we went away making several pieces for The Yellow House Art website I have been accepted to showcase my work.

It was only yesterday that I managed to finally post the photos and info, so take a look and please let me know what you think.

Photos say a 1000 words

2010-09-11T02:46:00.000-07:00

St. Remy de Provence

Hospital gate where Van Gogh was admitted

Brass plate - bureau of viti-culture St. Remy

Sun dial & church bells Roussillon

Vines, shutters & azure skies

Boat shed door south coast

Mountain village of Gordes

Don't tell Modj but i made friends with this pooch

Street lamp & shutters

Some of the most expensive wines come from this region

Sunset Les Leques

Moon set les Leques

Heaven, we're in heaven and there seems no end to the beauty of this country

peeling paintwork, shabby shutters, cassis & sun

2010-09-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Front entance, St. Remy, Provence

Street light, Dijon, France

The olive groves, firs & skies that inspired Van Gogh, St. Remy de Provence


Medical sketches of equipment uses

Shutters & balcony, Dijon, France


Shutters, Orange, France

Just a few pics to tantalise the tastebuds, as

ours surely have been.

Fine wine, too much cheese, bread to die for, olives and fruit -

all bursting with the taste and sensations of the sun.

We are in Provence and I really cannot believe a place can be this magical.

For those of you who know of my door and shutter fetish -

I am in a state of bliss with photo opportunities around every corner.

Bon Viaje!

2010-08-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

tiny house squished between rocks, Brittany, France.

We are off tomorrow on our adventure!
Picking up a camper van and heading to warmer climates in search of beaches, quaint villages and more gourmet food and vino than we have experienced in a while. I will endeavour to post along the way, so if you are keen for some stories and photos of our travels pop back and take a look.
Until we meet again - Bon Viaje

Private Spaces - a peek into the studio of Oona Patterson

2010-08-26T01:29:00.000-07:00

Image from 'Ream' above & below

Image from 'The Evening Tide'

Image from 'The Inquirer'

I am curious as to how other Artists go about creating their work and what tools and spaces are needed in order to achieve and hone their craft.
I love nothing better than the privilege of a peek into someone's private work space or studio. As a result of my curiosity I will be regularly exploring these spaces of fellow makers and designers, giving you the opportunity to also take a look.

Oona Patterson is a paper artist, poet and story teller based in the UK. She creates the most intriguing, intricate and wonderful sculptural worlds out of paper to accompany her stories and poems.

Each and every section is delicately and precisely hand cut, and her attention to detail is phenomenal. You need to take the time to look closely at her work and allow your eyes to wander over the details of the surface of the paper in order to absorb all the tiny figures, creatures and landscapes. The stories that unfold are both delightful and at times poignant and I can't help but wander if there isn't sometimes a hidden message in her work.

Oona was kind enough to give us a glimpse of a behind the scenes view of her artful world.

Hi Oona, can you tell us what you design and make?

I make small sculptures, photographs and have recently started experimenting with animation.

What materials do you use?

For my sculptures I always use paper and most often paper that’s been used for other things already, such as books and newspapers.

How often would you spend at your workspace per day and do you find it is it enough or not enough (or even too much time)?

Not enough time at all!

I also work as a graphic designer/marketing assistant for a small derelict theatre. This job provides inspiration for my art, it is still creative and most importantly supports me financially. As a result however it has meant I can only really spend a maximum of 10 hours a week on artwork.

And yet you manage to create such detailed and intricate work. What would you change about your work space if you could?

My studio is in my house which has meant I need to keep it clean and tidy (I also share it with my boyfriend), really I would like to be surrounded by paper and mess.

It would also be nice to have a studio that puts on its own exhibitions to keep some outside pressure on me to create and exhibit.

The dream of many makers so what stops you from making those changes

At the moment I have the space at home to keep my work space close to me which means that I can maximise my time and get as much out of it as possible - which is what I need right now.

Do you have a view from a window and do you find it inspiring?

Yes and yes, I can see lots of trees and squirrels and birds.

I’ve always loved drawing and making trees, so the inspiration is right before my eyes.

Where do you sell your work?

The sculptures are for sale either as commission directly from me or from exhibitions. I don’t currently sell photographic prints.

Thanks Oona for this glimpse; if you want to see more images of her work follow me here.

Image from 'Ream'

Oona's current workspace

2010-08-19T01:50:00.000-07:00

One of my most favourite places in the UK is Penmon Point

a few miles up the coast of Anglesey.

With it's beautiful pebble beaches,

centuries old Priory and elegant dovecot and it's slightly

barren ridges, it is a place echoing with history, wonder and intrigue

the stress is mounting

2010-08-15T03:10:00.000-07:00

glass pieces about to become body adornments

I have so much making to do before:

1. My Ma arrives from Oz in 1 week &

2. Mark & I head off on our 4 week (yes 4 weeks) campervan extravaganza of France & Spain!

So I have lots of pieces to finish for various galleries & websites and I am not sure how I will get through it all.

I have been thinking of late, perhaps I should employ an assistant, someone who can do a lot of the smaller jobs so I can get on with the bigger ones. Because there are so many aspects involved in running your own creative business there just never seems enough time to get it all done.

It occurred to me I could train Modj to perhaps do a few of the more unskilled jobs, she is after all very intelligent and clever and thorough. So can you appreciate my disappointment, when after only 10 minutes on the job I came downstairs to find her less than productive. It seems I am not paying her enough and she is reluctant to get out of bed for less than 100 biscuits a day.

Function over beauty

2010-08-12T08:17:00.000-07:00

freshly made beads drying on their wires

4 segments of this rack maximise the kiln size and

allow for varied sizes and shapes of beads

standard 3 tiered rack

beads drying a little before being threaded onto

their wires

Several people have contacted me in the last week or so asking about how I support my beads whilst they are drying and then during the firing process. I have custom made bead racks out of earthenware clay to suit both the size of my kiln and the size of the beads I want to fire. Larger beads need more support so need to be on shorter nichrome wires supported at intervals of about 10cm or less. Tiny beads not weighing much can be threaded onto longer 20 - 25cm wires. The racks are not elegant like the ones you would purchase from a ceramic supplies but they are way cheaper and do the job just as well. The beads sit on their wires for about 3-4 days before being fired to around 1040 degrees C. Then with a bit of luck they come out of the kiln transformed from white, dry, unexciting beads to shiny, glossy, gorgeous ones, ready to be designed into jewellery.

I have got a lovely bucket-o-spuds (but it is still not enough)

2010-08-09T05:26:00.000-07:00

homegrown potatoes

Green gage plums

We have a shared patch of an allotment here in the village. We have never really successfully grown anything back in

Australia

, despite Mark's desperate attempts at veggie patches, they always seemed to wither and die - just too many pests.

But here during the long, hot days of summer when the sun shines until 10.30pm (in theory), veggies are so easy to grow - they literally just take off. Or so we thought. Not really knowing what to do we enthusiastically planted lots of tiny seedlings, hoping for the best. I anticipated strolling up to the allotment each afternoon and whilst the sun baked upon my back, I imagined myself picking crop after crop of succulent produce whilst sipping on a crisp glass of wine.

Ha but in reality things are quite different. We have not had the baking sun we anticipated but lots of lovely, light rain which in

Australia

during summer, would be praised and celebrated. As a result the veggies have not quite yielded the vast supply I imagined although the courgettes, true to their reputation, have continued to grow huge and impressive specimens.

As a result I have felt a continuing sense of failure and disappointment at the lack of results - so much so that at times I have not appreciated what we have managed to grow. My sense of having missed out had won the delicate battle, that is until last night, when my way of thinking was turned quickly on its axis.

As we were sitting down to eat a gourmet meal of roasted new potatoes, chicken with a 5 bean tomato and onion ratatouille, Mark asked me if I realised that everything on our plate - except for the chicken - we had grown ourselves. I suddenly stopped eating and looked at my meal in a completely new light and was mesmerised by the fact that he was right. Everything was grown by us - even the tomatoes that are so rich and delicious we grew ourselves. The rest of the meal was eaten with so much more appreciation and I savoured every mouthful.

It made me wonder why more often that not we are constantly absorbed with what we have not done that we said we would, with what we have not achieved that we hoped we would, that we totally forget to Celebrate the achievements however small - that we have done. So this week is about focusing on the the small things I achieve and enjoying the sense of satisfaction on a smaller scale.

2010-08-05T03:59:00.000-07:00

inspirational view - 7pm July 3

colour blends mosaic in progress

This time 9 years ago.....almost

2010-08-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

'blue door'

Chiang Mai, Thailand August 2001

Memories of lost families, Buddhist Temple

China Town Malacca, Malaysia. July 2001

One of the reasons we are living where we currently do, is due to all the travel we have done together in the past. It is largely the experiences of travelling and living in so many diverse cultures that has informed and influenced my design style over the years. I have so many photos packed into so many boxes - still not in photo albums that I feel it is time I did justice to these experiences.

So on occasion, I have decided I will look back over time to relive and revive these memories, in an effort to recall those past experiences.

I remember being mesmerised by Malacca, especially China Town. It had the most amazing houses, shops and alleys just oozing history, atmosphere and intrigue. Walking the streets of the town absorbing the smells of cooking, incense and warm, sultry air was just incredible.

Busy, Busy BEES

2010-07-28T02:39:00.000-07:00

bee mosaic

mosaics inspired by cartoons drawn by the children

'things you find in the garden' mosaic

How gorgeous are these mosaics?

I mean who would not want the busy bees mosaic somewhere in their home or garden? These photos are of an Art Project my Mum has just completed in Gladstone, Australia.

Mum has been working for the last several months creating and facilitating this exciting project. She worked alongside the children, staff and my sister (who is a group leader) of Rainbow Valley Early Learning Centre for children. The idea was to design a new, curvy path around and through the children's play area and sandpit and inlay the path with small coloured concrete inserts and feature mosaics. The children were involved in making designs, helping with the coloured inserts and even mapping out the route of the path. Because the children are so young they could not make the actual mosaics themselves however Mum created the mosaics in direct reference to the cartoon drawings the children created. It is a wonderful example of how, even at a young age, we can encourage children to put a stamp on their environment and through art, help map the world in which they live.

'birds'

feature mosaics

part of the curvy, winding path

Pop ups

2010-07-26T00:45:00.000-07:00

Love the shape of these poppies once the petals have dropped off. The pods seem in such stark contrast to the delicate, silk-like petals they support, which seem to only last a few days and drop off with the first gust of wind.
Yesterday I was talking with a fellow jewellery designer and we were discussing the idea of a pop up shop over Christmas. We are part of a larger network of designers all based in north Wales and we feel it would be really beneficial to have a group show in the lead up to Christmas. Galleries are a little difficult to secure in this area and so we thought about staging a pop up shop.
Pop up shops seem to be a current trend and a clever way of cutting overheads and making a strong impact if done correctly and with enough marketing. I am sure there must be plenty of information online but if any of you have been involved in, visited any pop-up shops or come across information about them will you please share?

Pippa Small Jewellery

2010-07-21T02:36:00.001-07:00

Several years ago I tore an article out of a magazine featuring the work of Pippa Small. I have since visited her website many times, admiring her style and intrigued by the way she works. Originally she trained as an Anthropologist and then moved into jewellery design. She chooses her materials based on her personal ethical and moral convictions and has worked with many Indigenous communities around the world.

Her philosophy and approach to her designs and the materials she uses is really inspiring and finally I was able to see her work in the flesh at her London shop. Alas the pieces were a little out of my price range but I was able to salivate over the gorgeous, organic pieces on display. If ever you get a chance her little shop is worth visiting as it gives you a real insight into her personality behind her brand. (she also has shops in the USA)

we walked and we walked and we walked

2010-07-20T03:31:00.000-07:00

4 days of a lot of walking and we covered a lot of ground. Old stomping grounds, parts of the city never explored, the usual tourist route through Covent Garden and the West End and a lot in between. Walking a city is the only way to get a feel for it, to soak up it's elements and appreciate it's shiny, shiny surfaces contrasted with the poorer suburbs and the areas they prefer you not to see. London has such a vibe to it that even though I have not lived there for over 10 years, the minute I get off a train, ascend the never ending escalators and hit the streets above the immense underground I am instantly drawn back to a place so familiar that if I concentrate too hard and try to focus on where I am, it feels as though it may all disappear.

As we walked we were reminded of friends, places of employment (some we prefer to forget), clubs and bars we used to frequent. Suburbs and streets where we or friends used to live, places that had mutual meaning in our lives and others that were completely foreign to us.

You either love it and embrace it for all its grittiness, history, grandeur and immense scale or you hate it and want to leave instantly. I doubt I could live there easily again but I do like to visit and to know that it is still there, throbbing away to it's own, unique hum.

Lovin' Lime & Turquoise

2010-07-15T00:10:00.000-07:00

Ok I have started to play a bit more with my circle serious - inspired in part by the amazing pebbles on the beaches and coves of Penmon Point, here on Anglesey. They are all so perfect, with smooth grey, black and charcoal surfaces delicately laced with the most amazing white lines. They look as if a master Artist has sat painstakingly for hours, decorating each and every one, until the whole beach is covered in these magic works of art. It is those lines which I find amazing and now the lines of my circles are starting to morph slightly. Getting flatter and squarer and a little optical.

So the photos are not so clear but I have finished a few pieces which will be in Janet Bell Gallery by noon.

Also the lime green and pale turquoise beads are striking a cord - perhaps because it is Summer and the colours are fresh - a little like the weather!

Best of all tomorrow we are off to Lovebox Festival in our beloved Londres. Roxy Music, Grace Jones, Empire of the Sun and Hotchip are on our list so far. A ~~quick~~ make that long outing to the Borough Markets , Thai meal with friends and general walking around in awe at all the people, buildings, shops and culture (we are a little isolated here) should stem our cravings for a while.

Texture, Tone & Colour

2010-07-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

I have always been drawn to the effects of time and the elements on painted, wooden surfaces. I love the patina that is left after years of rain, sun and wind has made it's mark. Boats are particularly prone to the elements and for the old wooden boats that are not kept spick and span like the fancy yachts, time shows on their hulls in layers of peeling paint, worn wood and rusting metal.

Our local boatyard - perched on a tiny bit of land jutting into the Menai Strait - is the perfect, exposed location to find these beautiful effects.

If I could have walls painted in these textures I think I would.

Beauty for only 99p

2010-07-12T05:03:00.001-07:00

These gorgeous flowers have made me happy all weekend - they were marked down to only 99p for 5 stems and I could not resist. I thought they were only going to last a day or 2 and not really open at all. But each day more and more of the flowers are opening, exposing the most beautiful soft pink, pale yellow and peach colours. They are a bunch of exoticness, quietly demanding your attention and keeping you fixated once you lock eyes on them. Sometimes I truly wonder at the design, colour and form of the natural world and wonder why I bother making anything at all!

2 new Galleries

2010-07-10T03:42:00.000-07:00

I have been working steadily all week making 2 small collections for 2 new Galleries.
They are both situated in the south of England, Baxters Gallery in Dartmouth and Cry of the Gulls in Fowey, the little Cornish fishing village that is very dear to my heart. It is where my Grandparents lived and my Aunt still lives. I have always loved visiting Fowey and its surrounding coves and coastline - to me it is the true quintessential Cornish village and I urge you to visit it at least once in your lifetime.

Beach glass

2010-07-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

We went to one of our favourite coves on the north of the island on Saturday, hedged in by rocks on both sides and open to the pounding waves and blustering winds makes it a perfect glass combing spot. I found a good haul for an hours work - although I could not really call it work. With the sun on my face, perusing the tide line as the waves recede, looking for little, glistening, coloured gems, is hardly my idea of a hard days work!

Beads on a wire

2010-07-03T03:07:00.000-07:00

some new test colors fresh from the kiln - still on the wire

The Good Life.....

2010-07-01T03:27:00.001-07:00

We have had rain, and our allotment vegie patch has literally exploded in the last 3 days.

For more images follow this link to my Flickr account

The tide is high and I'm movin' on........

2010-06-30T04:19:00.000-07:00

This morning I have been rolling beads, I have made a test rack of some new colours and they will take a few days to dry before I can fire them. As you can see I am in a vest which means it must be higher than 20 degrees C! Yes in fact I think it may be pushing 22! So I have decided that the time has come - it must be done - the tide is high, the sun is shining and therefore perfect for a dip in the sea.

I say 'dip', you will note, because technically to say I am going for a swim would be misleading as the water is still cold and I am not sure when the Gulf stream current is going to kick in - if in fact ever. Therefore the water is about as cold as in Cape Town. When you emerge from the pain of throwing yourself into the water it feels as though a sheet of ice is clinging to your body. Invigorating to say the least but not exactly enjoyable until after the sun has warmed my bones and I feel the salt drying slowly on my skin, then it feels as though I am slowly returning to normal.........

Birds and Tulips

2010-06-28T01:12:00.000-07:00

'Lonely bird' by Julia Ogden

mosaic sample tile, me

I have had a thing for years about tulips and always thought I would like to use them as inspiration for mosaic designs. Last year I also developed a passion for birds - not in terms of going out and watching them and ticking their illustrations off in little bird identification books but in the representation of and Artists interpretation of birds.
They seem to pop up so often in designers work; sweet little, quirky birds with bursting personalities and a confidence I would love to have. I have started noticing them in jewellery designs, illustrations, paintings, and even textiles - they are everywhere. I have in fact, finished a mosaic with fat little, puffed up robins in it (surely one of the cockiest of the bird world). My mosaic also has tulips in it and I only remembered I had finished it and pasted it up but not actually installed it when I came across the photo at the top. So that is one of my tasks for this week - finish the mosaic and get it up onto the wall.

A bear with a sore paw

2010-06-25T00:22:00.001-07:00

Modji watching the 'birds' at a bird hide here on Anglesey

Poor Modj has had a very sore ankle (do dogs have ankles?) for the past 4 days and it has slowly worsened.

She is already on meds for arthritis and usually they help but she has something else going on here with her joint. She has been milking it for all it's worth - getting lots of sympathy and hugs (not just from me!) Ever the little Ozzie Battler she wants to keep exercising and insists on finding her little ball every morning and wanting to go out, but not today - today she is housebound.

She does not understand why and keeps giving me the furry eyeball. If by tomorrow there is no improvement it means a trip to the vet - which we try to avoid at all costs. She is terrified of the vets and goes into a quivering, dribbling, panting mess as soon as we pull up to the gate. For now however she is on her back, on her bed reading the latest edition of Marie Claire!

Jack's (Comfort) Curry

2010-06-22T00:38:00.001-07:00

Whenever Mark is away I always end up making a huge pot of his Dad's special curry.

It is so easy to make, so tasty and it reminds me of so many memories. In it's way it is a perfect comfort food. The best Masala to use is Packo masala blend (if you can find it) and the best chutney is Mrs Ball's Chutney. I always add aubergine (brinjal) and potatoes. Last night I got really adventurous and added coconut milk - YUM. Some friends are coming to help me eat it tomorrow night - because as Jack always said it is best if cooked the day before and allowed to stand over!

The soundtrack to my life

2010-06-20T02:37:00.000-07:00

Modji and I, Sunrise. Sydney 2005

The subject of music has come up a lot these past few days, first starting with a post by my sister who spoke of being transported to a different time and place and all the memories evoked when she hears a particular track. Like so many of us, she remembers getting ready to go clubbing while listening to the 'right' music at that time, music to get you into the mood, hyped up and anticipating what might happen when the DJ spins his black circle on the dance floor.

Then last night some friends and I discussed how easy it can be to connect with people through music, how a mutual love of a particular Artist can instantly connect you. How music informs and reflects your mood, enlightens your day or diverts your attentions.

When I think back to so many pivotal points in my life, they always occurred in tandem and were heavily bound to music. In fact I could even say at times my travels were guided by music.

Whilst backpacking through Europe in the early 90's, I used to drown out the night time youth hostel sounds and fall asleep listening to Bjork, INXS, ambient house music and acid jazz - all playing on my walkman. Tapes - weren't they great? You could re-write them over and over, each time you came upon a new sound that would usurp the current selection. Like sound layers, sitting over the top of each other silently building up an historic account of your musical tastes and discoveries.
And the mixed tape - nothing better than sitting up for hours making a mixed tape - THE party tape, THE driving tape or a tape for a new friend. I had so many of those tapes with neatly written accounts (often crossed out) of the Artist, Track and number.

Agh but back to the walkman - such a cumbersome, heavy, battery hungry device. So many travellers I met would rather leave behind anything to make their load lighter but not their walkman. Some even had Discman - even heavier and clunkier and the batteries would last all of about 30 minutes. But the music was essential, we would swap CD's and tapes, listen to new and exciting artists and experience bands that we had never heard of.

Later while travelling through the States, Mark and I spent 5 weeks camping in a town, no money and little food, just in anticipation of seeing Pearl Jam, who along with other grunge, rock bands - were the absolute essential soundtrack to our mutual lives at that point. Alas the beloved PJ cancelled 3 days out from the concert.

Once back in Australia after 3 years of travel it was years of concerts and music festivals and the rise of dance music - festival days, crammed into hot, dusty, smelly tents jumping and screaming with a mass of anonymous, seething bodies to an array of bands and artists.

Just recently we went to a festival here in Bangor - our first in a few years - and we were instantly transported back in time. We once again found ourselves in the midst of jumping, sweaty, exuberant fans all united by the adoration and respect for the band on stage - this time Faithless. With their loud euphoric anthems, underpinned by heavy bass, insightful lyrics and a sound that simply defies you to stand still. The crowd, young and not so young, were transformed into a united organism all jumping and swinging and grooving as if we were all ONE.

Sumptuous Silk

2010-06-17T01:01:00.000-07:00

Off and on over the years I have pretty much stuck to working with the same materials in my jewellery. Stainless steel, linen thread, sterling silver and of course my ceramic beads. But with my foray into playing with beach glass, I thought I would mix it up a little and was inspired to buy some silk ribbon when a friend of mine sent me a birthday present wrapped in the most gorgeous piece of multicoloured ribbon. Alas I could not track that particular ribbon down, regardless of the fact I spent hours scrolling through ribbon vendors on the net (there are some truly beautiful and horrid ribbons out there!).

Eventually though, I found this seller on Etsy and they had so many gorgeous, hand dyed silk ribbons in an array of enticing colours, I did not know where to start. I settled on some lengths in turquoise, silver, green and browns - all slightly variegated and subtle.

Best of all they are from a seller in Oz, so that was nice! They arrived yesterday and I immediately wanted to so something with them. I hung them in front of an open window - to stop them getting grubby and they looked beautiful blowing gently in the breeze. In the past I have done a lot of hand wrapping of stainless steel using linen thread in my pieces and think that the silk will lend itself well to a similar treatment.

So off I go to get started, hopefully with a finished piece to post by tomorrow!

Gorgeous

2010-06-16T01:33:00.000-07:00

gorgeous colours on a gorgeous day

I had an email from a Dr de Bruyn, telling me he was not in Singapore any more (before Borneo) but had absconded to Thailand.

THAILAND?

He is supposed to be working - instead he is sitting on a beach or beside a pool in Thailand. There is something dramatically wrong with this scenario. I am here in cool, windy Wales and he is in hot, sunny Thailand - where everything and everyone seems so impossibly beautiful and exotic and serene.

Not to mention the outstanding food.

But wait, I am being unkind, because in fact we have been having beautiful weather since Dr de Bruyn left.

Gorgeous, sunny, champagne days - the kind that make the mountains shine in all their glory.

When the sun sets behind them the outline of the ridges against the clear sky, echoed with a faint line of light is truly breathtaking.

So enjoy your cocktail Mark, I am off to salute the mountains and sip on a glass of champagne!

This time last year - Almost.......

2010-06-14T01:45:00.000-07:00

Fishing boats all lined up Kota Kinabalu harbour

I was up at 4-30 this morning to drop Mark at the train station to begin his journey to Borneo for what will be the last of his research and commitments for his current project. We were both there, almost this time last year, for nearly 3 weeks and we had a fab time.

Of course the fact that I was enveloped in a warm, sultry heat for the entire time, helped make me feel alive and provided me with a much needed hit for my tropical nostalgia. Kota Kinabablu was a fantastic starting point, it provided the right blend of Asian sights, smells, sincerity and succulent food.

The famous night food market, that suddenly appears like a shimmering mirage on the port at dusk was such an exciting place to wander through, soaking up the smells of the BBQ's and grills on which all sorts of seafood, chicken and the most amazing vegetables are grilled, steamed and fried.

Both Mark and I were salivating, walking around trying to decide on what to have. I settled for grilled fish - straight off the coals with an egg plant dish that tasted like no other I have ever had. Doused in plenty of soy, chilli and sweet sauce we enjoyed our meal under the tents, inhaling the food smells of the markets, listening to the unrelenting banter of the traders and looking out to the twinkling lights on the few fishing boats moored in the harbour.

I can picture you there Mark, in a few days, sampling the chicken wings and kebabs but please remember to stay away from the Udung galah!!

Delivered!

2010-06-12T01:53:00.000-07:00

playing with ideas

green beach glass and st. silver

My work has been selling well at Janet's Gallery, so I spent the last part of the week with my head down, beavering away at my bench for hours on end.

I was hoping to get a few ideas, that had been brewing in my subconscious for several weeks, out and in 3D form. For months now, I have been collecting (and then more recently with Markus' help) gorgeous pieces of sea glass from the beaches here on Anglesey.
The Menai Straits were used as a dumping ground for all sorts of unwanted glassware and ceramics - a lot from the Victorian era. As a result this 'rubbish' has spent scores of years under the water, being tossed, turned, polished and refined. Eventually, they are washed ashore by waves or uncovered from mounds of tiny pebbles, that have been harbouring these little gems.

Along comes Markus and I, collecting them by the handful. Some of the ceramic shards are so gorgeous with faint, ghost like images of birds, flowers, patterns and colours, left visible on their bleached surface. These ceramic pieces are scattered all over our cottage and a few are being used in my mosaics, as accents and features.

Pieces of glass however, have been sitting on my workbench for months, beckoning me to make something with them, urging me to bring them to life again. With their frosted, etched surfaces, they are such a contrast to my shiny, glossy beads and so it has taken some time for them to perculate into my designs. But at last, these past few days I have started playing with them, and I know over time the designs will evolve to let these little pieces of history truly shine.

It felt good yesterday to replenish my work in the Gallery, with both ceramic jewellery and new glass jewellery, now let's just hope there are lots more sales!

Getting Started

2010-06-08T00:37:00.000-07:00

Modj welcoming visitors to my gallery, Durham. 2008

jewellery display Durham 2007

Becca Pely-Fry & Chrissie Morgan setting up Bec's exhibition 2007

Opening, Steve Sproate's exhibition, Durham 2007

Hmmm why is it sometimes we find it so difficult to get started? To pick up from where we left off and just get on with it? We can spend hours and hours procrastinating, letting the lizard brain convince us this is the best way - take it slow no fast moves.

Eventually though, we have to shake ourselves out of it and force ourselves, if necessary, to just start. I think, for me, part of the problem is deep down inside I know once I start the process of the next project it becomes an almost obsession, which then in turn takes up all my time and suddenly there is not time left for those little things I would have procrastinated over in the beginning!

They suggest trying to get the right life balance, but I know once the creative desire kicks in it's not so simple. I read a great interview on just this topic here if you are interested in someone else's perspective. When I look back at the photos above I remember just how much can happen when finally the floodgates open.

For Val

2010-06-05T02:41:00.000-07:00

Garden on the Moon

2010-06-04T04:17:00.000-07:00

We have had a bit of a tumultuous week.
Suddenly some plans that we thought would carry us neatly and clearly through the next few years have evaporated and left us feeling a little stunned. Not so much that we cannot cope - it is just now we have to think and make decisions that will decide our near future. We are at a fork in the road and the signs are not clear - east or west? The choice is hard.
Looking through my old photos to inspire me to remember how far I personally have come in my own work; I came across this image that I had forgotten about.
It is a photo from a production produced and performed by a group of people who are very inspirational. I worked as an arts development tutor for alot of years for The Cerebral Palsy League in Australia. The day respite centre I worked in was a wonderful, pioneering organisation and as a collective we created many awe inspiring arts projects, public art works, controversial exhibitions and this performance entitled, 'A Garden on the Moon'.
Performed at night in the open air it cleverly utilised silhouettes, music, colour and pattern to tell the story of one of the participants who had been born with severe cerebral palsy and who had endured years of heartache and isolation due to the ignorance of the time in which he was born. It was a mesmerising ride to watch this tale with all it's heartache, humour and soul. It was uplifting and thinking back to it I remember walking away from that performance feeling humbled by the notion that at least I have the luxury of choice.
So east or west?
Who knows but bring it on I reckon' we can handle the ride.

2010-06-02T03:42:00.000-07:00

Mount Snowdon is the mountain you can see in the middle, just to the left of my Dad's head. This was taken a few hours before we attempted to climb the peak that has been taunting Mark and I for the last 2 years.

Ok, so by European standards Snowdon may not be all that high but it proved enough of a challenge for these intrepid explorers! We thought we were walking one of the easier tracks up and so only allowed a few hours to make the climb. However after making it 2 thirds of the way up, I decided to call it quits as I had a cold that was causing me a little discomfort. Also seeing the peak from a closer angle I appreciated it was not quite a spring jaunt to get to the top. I also figured Modj, at the tender age of 14, may make it all the way up but may not want to come back down! So I sensibly turned around.Mark and Pa however were not perturbed and continued on their way, quickly disappearing before Modji's and my eyes like 2 little Hobbits out on an adventure into Middle Earth.

Hmmmmm it seems we should have read the guide book a little more thoroughly - for as it turns out those 2 little Hobbits took over 4 hours to return to me, 15 km's later and courtesy of a mini-cab they turned up at the car park where we had set off from. It seems they somehow wandered up onto the wrong trail and for the final ascent were actually climbing one of the hardest sections - a stretch they recommend you have serious mountaineering experience to traverse!

But as they were so very close they could not stop and just had to make it to the top. So, after risking serious damage to limbs, hearts and heads and with a sheer drop to one side and nothing but boulders to the other; our 2 little Hobbits huffed and puffed and finally hauled themselves over the last rocky outcrop to be met with a wondrous view, like no other they had seen in a very long while. They concurred however, that under no circumstance would they be returning the way they had come and so walked an easier track down the other side of the mountain.

from this to this

2010-05-29T02:14:00.000-07:00

Someone asked me the other day how I created the silver elements for my designs. The answer is I pretty much use the same technique over and over - starting with pieces of silver wire of varying thickness and using my trusty hammers, anvils, torch and pliers I heat, bend, beat, planish, form and sculpt the elements I want to compliment the beads I have chosen for a particular design. I definitely have to be in the right frame of mind to do it - no distractions and time to work, otherwise I do not get them quite how I want them.

Mosaics and Memories

2010-05-24T07:09:00.000-07:00

We have had family visiting for a week and as if by magic, the weather decided to put on the most spectacular, sunny, serene and seducing days we have seen in a while. In addition it has been hot - a wonder for my soul.

We have been absorbing views of the most calm, glassy seas and even witnessed a pod of porpoises swimming close to shore. It reminded me of some mosaics I'd made in the past, of flowing pools of ocean colours and cavorting dolphins.

Fabulous Liverpool

2010-05-19T02:31:00.000-07:00

After a weekend that did not quite go to plan - due to a certain ash cloud that threatened European air space, we were very disappointed not to be flying to The Netherlands to visit old friends we had not seen for years. We decided we needed to lift our spirits and so jumped in the car and drove to Liverpool - or as we like to refer to it Liverducks.

It is a wonderful city, full of iconic, glorious buildings that would not look out of place on big Hollywood, blockbuster movie. For me the city has the right blend of attitude, urban grittiness, and mixed architecture from gorgeous Art Deco, restored docks to cutting edge class. I just really feel at home in that city and love the Liver Building the most (above) with it's huge clock towers and liver birds.

All these photos were taken by my Mum, who also loved the city when she visited last year.

Beautiful Beaumaris

2010-05-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

Beaumaris pier at sunrise, 2010

Yesterday I bought a print on canvas from Janet Bell, good friend and local Artist.
It is called Beautiful Beaumaris and I actually feature in the print - along with Modji and Mark. I am not sure if it is a true likeness to me but it certainly is an exact likeness of Modji!
Beautiful Beaumaris Print
Anyway the title reminded me of the photo I took early one morning a few months back. It really is Beautiful Beaumaris in so many ways.

The talented Mr Steven Vella

2010-05-12T00:42:00.000-07:00

Ceremonial Staff with bone & feathers, 2009. 220cm x 58x 10

palm branches, feathers, bones, tusks, beads

Last month a good friend of mine held an exhibition of new works at NG Art Gallery in Sydney, Australia. Steven is such a talented Artist working across so many mediums from mosaic, painting, costume design to these wonderful, exotic creations. I could not be at the exhibition but the photos on the NG Gallery website give a fabulous taste of what I missed.

Tell me, how can one man be so talented, inspiring and gorgeous to boot?

Japanese ghost story whilst listening to Yoko Ono 155x80x10

found organic material, horsehair, cotton

Wheel of fire 2010 60x 60x18 found organic material, pine dowel, enamel

Today is the day

2010-05-11T01:08:00.000-07:00

bits & pieces

me, my studio, my mess

Modji has an issue with the Postman.......

2010-05-08T02:50:00.000-07:00

We think maybe Modji is starting to lose the plot, go long-long, lose her marbles/faculties, go crazy in the coconut or to put it kindly, decline in her old age. She has developed an issue with the Postman - suddenly he is enemy number one. Not so strange for a dog you may say - most dogs HATE the Postman and in fact the anticipation of a 'right good barking' at the Postman is all that gets them through the day - that and the endorphin high they get each time you walk back into the room or the house - 'OOOOH ya back - missed ya, love ya, this is the best day ever - you are BACK!'
Some very good friends of ours have a dog - a black lab and he loves barking and going for the Postman (or anyone in uniform). I remember in Australia one day, I was driving with him in the car and I had all the windows down - it was so hot. Tex would take up the whole back seat, constantly moving from side to side, looking, waiting, hoping to catch a glimpse of a Postie. On this particular day we pulled up at some lights and a Postie on his bike pulled up beside us. Tex could not believe his luck - he gathered up all his strength and went right off. The poor guy nearly fell of his moped - he took off so fast he ran the red light.
I was laughing so hard I could not drive - I did feel bad after.
The weird thing is Modj was witness to all his behaviour all the time - for years. But she never once reacted - she would look at Tex as if he was mad; 'Just what is the point?' she would seem to sigh.
But here in the UK - things have changed. Now suddenly she gets the point - and is making up for all those lost years of not barking at the Postie! So now when the Postman is about 3 doors away she hears the tell-tale sign of a postbox shutter (most are attached to the front door) and she goes ballistic. She stands at the door all her hair raised, tail up and just goes for it. Of course he is in no danger - perhaps that is the point we think, she knows she cannot really do anything so she can act as fierce as she wants (bit like when she sees a rabbit through the car window - always good to have a barrier so you do not really have to act on your threats!).
We come down to tell her to stop and she turns her back on us and gives a flip of her bum as if to say - 'HA I got rid of him - just through my sheer physical force! He has gone....... but I know he will be back.... OH yes he will be back and I will be waiting for him!'

Photos & bad backs

2010-05-06T02:59:00.000-07:00

Turquoise ceramic bead st.silver hoops

Green ceramic beads st. silver drops

I finally, after 2 days, ended up with some shots of my work that I am happy with. I would not say they are totally brilliant but I think I have enough to work with and hopefully over time I will achieve better results. I must say it is harder than you would imagine trying to get good even photos. I tried all sorts of ways to manipulate both the light and the camera and have learnt a huge amount! The most essential things are a tripod and a light box, which I made 3 times! Each time modifying it a little bit until I got it right.

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent

Also because my work has varying elements to consider - shiny ceramic beads and hand beaten silver (that seriously reflects the light) I had to play around with paper reflectors, backdrops and all sorts. Now I know why quite a few photography websites recommend a remote control shutter release!

I was contorted in many different angles - no yoga pose or game of twister I have ever performed has come close to matching these positions I found myself in. By midday yesterday I could not cope any longer and ended up booking in for a 25 minute back massage at the local beauty clinic! Result though - now I can walk again.

After my day was over I rewarded myself and Modj (for her ever enduring patience) with a walk to our favourite beach-combing cove - it was not sunny but a gorgeous grey mist had enveloped the mountains and made everything look dreamy and silky.

Multi-tasking

2010-05-04T02:02:00.000-07:00

design sketches/works in progress

This week I am really trying to tick off a series of tasks that are essential to me getting my jewellery designs online. I seem to read over and over, a common theme among Artsists, Designers and Crafters (yes I do think we deserve Capital Letters)- and that is the effort it takes to perform so many aspects of their art.
We must be good at designing, sourcing the right materials, mastering the skills to use said materials, finishing pieces to a high standard and packaging or marketing our 'products'. Then we have to sell them. We must find the right outlets, galleries or boutiques; all the while fostering relationships and networking with other Artists, groups and the general public. If we want to sell online then we also need to be able to take really good photographs. Now I took photography at Uni, I have taken loads of photos in the past - great shots both with instant cameras, SLR's and digital cameras. BUT mostly they have been of subject matter larger than a piece of jewellery. Jewellery, especially silver jewellery is so hard to photograph. While there are many great tutorials and tips on the web, it is still really hard to master. So that is my continuing task for today, to photograph my pieces to a standard that is expected and reflects the quality of the work. It may also serve to remind you that when you look at a handmade product and think it is too expensive, spare a moment to reflect on just how much effort and skill has gone into producing that one-off piece.

Heart shaped rock

2010-05-02T03:13:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the Nirvana song -

'Heart Shaped Box'?
.............

'Locked inside your heart shaped box for weeks'.

Yesterday while I was walking on the little beach in front of us, I was
reminded of this song when I found my very own heart shaped rock.

Is spring here at last?

2010-04-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

I am hanging for Summer and while we have had a few weeks of sunny, clear days it is not really warm yet (at least not warm enough for a permanently cold Australian). Officially spring arrived in the UK several weeks ago but it only feels as though yesterday the trees and forests caught up. Suddenly it seems, that literally overnight the leaves have exploded in a riot of shades of fresh pale greens. Our local forest is a gorgeous, quiet, serene place and this morning it was truly stunning. Modj decided running fast with a stick down a bank was not dangerous, just exhilarating.