Selkie Stories

Secrets, cast glass keys

Glass gifts on Christmas day

We spent Christmas day at parents house in the Central Coast. 'We' being Dougie, Matt (Dougie's nephew), myself and Mum and Dad. Apart from getting a commission finished I also wanted to give gifts that were hand made.

The woodland tankard is finally finished! Along with some international beers I gave Dad the 'Woodland tankard' that I have been working on here and there for a year or so. I love the look with beer inside.

'Woodland tankard' full of beer. (cast glass)

For my Mum, a cast crystal relief of blossoms. It has found a spot where the light catches it, in her very meditative bathroom.

and finally, a late present for them both for their 40th Wedding Anniversary. I had cast the keys in Ruby crystal (40=Ruby) but the glass had other ideas. Luckily I ended up with a gorgeous orange, a colour my mother loves. The interlocked keys are quite tricky, more for getting them out of the mould material and polishing really. Patience!

Plasmodesmata finished and delivered

At last all finished.

Seen from the polished front

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Tree panels

Tall tree panels out of the kiln.

Fire polishing 'Midnight grove project' test 1

So this is the first test. 680 is too hot for them standing upright, which I wanted to test. I would rather have then standing up but I will nestle them in powder if I have too.

sandblasted pieces in the kiln

kiln watching

at top temp 680c

New stories from the old wood

Finally finished, 'New stories from the old wood' just before packing up, hence the luxurious location of the mould room. This work will be included in the group exhibition detailed below.

The Tree

19 March to 8 May 2014

Curated by Clare Belfrage
Exhibition Design & Coordination by Ruth White

The Tree, an elongated stem or trunk that supports leaves or branches. The theme is interpreted in a myriad of ways; with humour, metaphor and studies of nature.
This is an exhibition of many parts, with works by Matt Curtis, Kirstie Rea, Melinda Willis, Emilie Patteson, Tom Moore, Yusuké Takemura, Mel George, Nudibranch, Ben Sewell, Bridget Thomas, Harriet Schwarzrock, Sui Jackson, Belinda Toll, Holly Grace, Jacqueline Gropp, Suzanne Peck, Tim Edwards, Alana Corr, Erin Conron, Lisa Cahill, Luna Ryan, Christine Atkins, Alexandra Frasersmith, Spike Deane and Clare Belfrage.
Guest speaker: Adam Burgess, Curator of the National Arboretum Canberra
Exhibition Opening: Wednesday, 26 March at 6pm
Gallery Talk: Saturday, 29 March at 10.30am

Snap 100 work finished

Snap 100, piece packed and signed...

Farewell gift

Farwell gift, hanging loop in corporate colours.

Wedding congratulations

Congratulations to newlyweds Jen & Bong, wishing you many happy years together.

FT landscapes before packing up

Lykos

Aschenputtel

Talia

Red

Rapid mask sandcarving and painting

To get the silhouettes on to the cast crystal pieces, I sandblast then apply black paint. I use a product called 'Rapid mask', it's a UV sensitive film that takes an inverted black and white image and through exposure to UV breaks down the unprotected 'white/clear' areas. It is fantastic to use with protective film on both sides that enable easy placement an adhesion. After sandcarving I left the film on. It also acts as a stencil for the spray application of enamel paint.

UV sensitve film in place, ready for taping up (masking)

After sand blasting

After clearing all the excess grit away I sprayed the paint on, waiting for it to dry between coats

the final product.

Secrets ready to go

Despite some unforseen difficulties 'Secrets' are ready to go to the store...soon to be available for purchase at Gather! the Canberra Glassworks retail shop. Woot!

Icebergs ahoy

Cast glass Antarctic animals (+ visiting Artic polar bear) in their new environment. Thanks to Ruth Oliphant for creating a good home for them.

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key placement

The short of it is....I need to make more keys...and you never know what it will look like until you get all the bits together.

keys on an embroidery hoop

I forget how CURIOUS cats are