Really exciting things happening...

Fabulous two days just gone. Met the lovely Gabi Bolton of (original) Little Bird (take a look: http://originallittlebird1.blogspot.com) whose fabrics are just stunning. We are going to collaborate on a new project using her fabrics. Very exciting. Also had a productive and creative meeting with the equally lovely Maria Veronese who is hopefully going to help me with my media presence. All utterly inspiring stuff.

A couple of the pieces I have created

Thought it about time I exposed my skills as a glass artist - such as they are. I am still experimenting and haven't yet found a direction to take creatively. So here they are my first free-fall pieces using some of the budget material I have bought.

Exhausted after the weekend...

We are slowly recovering from organising this year's Burlingham Festival which took place last weekend. Although it was un-seasonally cold and extremely windy we still had a reasonable turn-out - although sadly down on last year.

The 11 scarecrows in the open gardens made by the gifted and talented pupils at Acle school were fantastic, St Andrew's Church looked amazing with flowers by Gaye and her lovely friends and the Bridal display which was created using dresses from The Big C shop with extra mannequins supplied by Jarrolds. The Alpacas belonging to local family the Starkins were absolutely gorgeous (especially the new baby) and our new Burlingham Bangers on the Barbecue were a fantastic success. And the gardens - well they were fantastic as always. We are so lucky to live in such a great community.

Now I must get back to work and start promoting the next two workshops here at Burlingham Hall: Art Clay Silver on Monday 19th July and Felt Making on Wednesday 21st July. New pricing for a shorter day to accommodate busy people who can only spare a few hours in a day. 10am - 2pm with a home made sandwich lunch provided. Details on our website: http://www.burlinghamhall.co.uk

Was FeltbyBridget yesterday - ooer!

Had fab meeting with Bridget (FeltbyBridget.com) yesterday to discuss collaboration on series of new workshops. She has such energy and we got on really well. Apart from agreeing a series of one day workshops - dates to be confirmed - we have, subject to availability, agreed to offer a Felt-Tasting Workshop on Wed July 21st 10am - 2pm with sarnies-on-the-hoof lunch thrown in. Thought it might appeal to those with busy lives and perhaps children at school. Everyone will make something to take away. £35 per head. 10 max. Contact me to reserve your place: email: sheila@burlinghamhall.co.uk

More work done by my brilliant students last weekend.

Life's a little slow today...

Definitely a little slow. Went to an 80th birthday party last night which was great. Danced well into the night with friends. Today we have a "create and manage a wildflower garden" workshop going on in The Studio organised by the Norfolk Smallhoders Training Group. We are members and have hosted beekeeping workshops before but nothing on this scale. It's a good job we have the studio otherwise they'd be outside in the drizzle.
Tea/coffee and bacon sarnies are keeping me going. Will post some more glass pics as soon as I have edited them.

Some pics of the first Workshop

The Workshop was a great success

Yes - we finally made it and the first Kiln Fused Glass workshop has now been completed. Yay!
It was brilliant. We had 7 paying participants and my husband and son's girlfriend also joined in. When I wasn't in the kitchen I made some glass things too so I enjoyed it all as well.
I made loads of cakes: Nigel Slater's scrummy Apricot and Lemon cake (a real family favourite), some date slices (an old Cranks recipe from way back - not that great really) another Cranks recipe Prune and Honey cake which I didn't really like and some really fabulous Chocolate Brownies. Lunch on the first day was Watercress soup with homemade handmade Spelt Bread plus my machine made Organic Wholemeal Bread, lots of lovely cheeses including the gorgeous Pie d'Angloys, some leaves from the poly-tunnel, yogurts and cake oh and a few Strawbs.
Lunch on day 2 was similar but with a homemade Asparagus Quiche (eggs courtesy of our lovely free-range girls!) and fruit salad.
We have fired three times and the kiln is behaving really well. The work is astoundingly good and everyone is thrilled!