A long awaited book

Well I have been a very terrible blogger the last couple of weeks, so thought it was high time I got writing. The Christmas fairs are over for the year, so i have free weekends again YEY!!! Which means I can get back down to some real work. I'm currently working on a couple of projects/proposals for a few exhibitions next year, don't want to give to much away so come back for an update in the new year for a sneak peek at some designs.

This week I had an early Christmas present, as I finally got my hands on The Art of Painting on Glass by Albinas Elskus. This essential guide to every glass painter has been reprinted by Long Cove Press this year and is available to buy through his website http://albinaselskus.com/  It always remained an elusive book at uni as it was never available from the library, and to buy one of the earlier copy's was about £100 so I was over the moon when I happened to come across it a couple of weeks ago! I've learnt sooo much amazing and invaluable information just from the first two chapters! Cannot wait for pay day to buy some new stains/enamels and get experimenting!!!!!




For now I'll leave you with another pic of a recent commission for a copper foiled mirror, as I go and brave the cold studio for a quick tidy up before the festive season really kicks in!

CHRISTMAS DESIGNERS MARKETPLACE

Simon Alderson Glass will be there along with many other talented peoples!!!!!

In Recent Events...

Well Saturday saw the final Designers Marketplace in Newcastle of the year, a BIG thanks to everyone who made it down. Anyone who missed out have no fear as your last chance to catch some of the best creative talent in the North East is December 3rd in Middlesbrough at the Town hall!

I was very pleased to catch up with some uni friends selling their amazing products at the market, Philippa Whiteside (below) and Elizabeth Shaw. (Click there names for there websites) Both selling some wonderful ceramic creations!!

In other news I've just dispatched a commission off to America for 12 Fused glass Bee pendants, I wait on tender hooks as to whether they have arrived in the right place and perfect condition. Gotta prey to the postpeoples!!! and just had another order from America so off to pack that up! Don't forget to check out the Upcoming Events page to find out where you can next see me and my work in person. Quite excited to start work on some new designs and project proposals, can't give to much away yet so keep checking back for more. TTFN.

Buzzing across the pond as we speak!



Design Event

This past week saw the return of DESIGN EVENT NE to the region, an annual event featuring a plethora of creative talent from the local area, Thursday saw the opening of the Design Mart at the Baltic Featuring such talent as MargarethTroli, deadgood, Jamiejoseffry and my favourite of the night RASKL, some amazing work on display and congratulations to all the winners of the evening!!

The weekend saw Simon Alderson Glass taking part in the Designers Marketplace (see above or Click Here to see more) A big thank you to all who managed to come through and say hello, and to those who missed out, do not fear as we will be back on Saturday 29th October!!!

The Forbidden Corner

Yesterday my friends and I went on a little jaunt out to 'The Strangest Place in The World'

CLICK HERE to visit there website.

The Forbidden Corner was built by Mr C.R.Armstrong O.B.E, originally as a private Garden but is now open to the public, its a magical place full of mazes, twists and turns, random and fun statues, scary passageways with hushed voices talking in the walls. A Temple of the Underworld lies beyond the stepping stones, but beware as not all is as it seems!! You get a map, of sorts, which lists everything there is to see in the Garden, but its up to you to find them,

PS: Bring a Pac-a-Mac

A Ghoul from the underworld

It was an awesome day out, particularly with the weather being sooo hot!!

There are some wonderful views looking out over the Yorkshire Dales

and a lovely heard of Deer, you can get quite close to.

I also used the opportunity to have a play around

with my new camera in the wonderful gardens.

As a final note if anyone reading this has been to the Forbidden Corner could you please, please, please let me know where the darn topiary dogs head is, I've been 3 times now and still it is the only thing we haven't found!!!!!

Hurworth Country Fair

Well a week ago today I braved the early morning to head out and set up my stall at the Hurworth Country Fair, and what a miserable day it started out as. After pounding rain all Friday, the ground was rather sodden, but at least the rain held off on the day until I had finished setting up. Complete with my brand new banner. below.

Shame about the Bright Orange on the tent but love my new banner

We were blessed with sunshine after dinner and more people started to turn up, braving the rather muddy field to come and check out the stalls. Due to the random layout of the fair I felt a lot of people passed us by without realizing we were there but on the whole it was a good day, we were treat to bagpipes, fire engine displays and a dog show. Then the real challenge came after taking down the stall - trying to get of the field without the car getting stuck!!!!!



Preping for the Fair

Apologies for not posting this week but been very busy replenishing stock ready for Hurworth Country Fair this Saturday, for anyone in the area its open 10.30am till 4pm at the Grange Hurworth. visit HERE for more info. It looks like the weather is going to hold out so fingers crossed!

I've also been trying out some new ideas including these Glass Star's ready for dare I say it Christmas. Let me know what you think of them!

 Pieces cut and ready for copperfoiling

Finished Star

I'm also working on creating affordable broaches similar to the new range of insect

 necklesses, just waiting on the broach backs to come in the post, hope they get here before the weekend! Very exciting I ordered a new banner last week which arrived yesterday can't wait to use it on saturday, will post a pic after the fair!

Darlington Arts Fair

Darlington Arts Centre

Yesterday I was part of the Darlington Art Fair held at our local Arts Centre, there was a fantastic array of local talent, fine art, glass, ceramics, textiles, design, live performance, dance, music. It was truly a fantastic day with a great turn out from the public coming to support local artists and the Arts Centre. The event was organized to draw attention to this important community building who's future, due to budget cuts,  looks bleak! Hope is not lost as people of Darlington have united to save the Arts Centre, forming Darlington For Culture (for more info CLICK HERE)

On arrival yesterday I was directed into the theatre, much to my horror it was rather dark, but after a quick word with the organizers they were able to redirect a spotlight onto my stall so I was well illuminated, and got much praise for the overall appearance of my stall. I was also very pleased to see a wonderfully talented friend Liz Shaw (CLICK HERE to see her work) had a stall too. As i mentioned it was a brilliant day with lots of happy customers, my new range of buglife neckless' (below) went down very well. Now I have to go and replenish my stock ready for the Hurworth Country Fair.

Available to purchase HERE

A new love for an Obsolete World

Today I'd like to share one of my favourite sellers on etsy, obsoleteworld 

by Jeannie Lynn Paske

Future Golden Remains

(Just recieved this as a birthday gift)

I absolutly love Jeannie's illustrations, set in a world of her own creation, populated by strange and interesting creatures. Each painting offers a glimps of something magical, a real sence of foreboading  shines through from this obsolete world, desolate and despair yet beautiful and magnificent at the same time. Her colour palette is restrained yet inviting. Warming and increadible atmospheric, a true testiment to her skill.

I just wana buy them all as they are so brilliant!

To check out more visit http://obsolete-world.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72720736/a-mindful-installation

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80368859/the-fate-of-a-nation?ref=v1_other_2

In other news I will now be at Darlington Arts Centre for The Arts Fair on Saturday 3rd September.

and look out for Simon Alderson Glass on stall number 7 at Hurworth Counrty Fair on 17th September.

Well worth a visit.

Managed to get through to Durham Cathedral at the weekend, it's one of my favourite places, I could just spend hours staring at some of the amazing stained glass works. From 15th century roundels to the latest addition, (my fav) The Transfiguration Window, by Thomas Denny

I just had to share this wonderful place and urge anyone who hasn't been or is visiting the north east to go to the cathedral.

 

The window shows the Transfiguration, with Christ as a white-clad Everyman bathed in his father’s glory. Moses and Elijah flank him on either side; below, his disciples watch. “A shaft of transforming light”, as Denny calls it, floods down through the centre of the window, transforming the side panels to pink-orange flame and mingling in the lower sections with bruised blue-purples. There, in the violent world of everyday transgressions, the light makes small miracles occur: a boy cured of epilepsy, or victims saved from carnage. We, the onlookers, are caught up in all this change so swiftly and completely that we, like the disciples, must have feather-flickerings of gold and purple burning in our clothes. To read more click here . 

I always feel so inspired after being here and it's given me the jolt I need to push forward in my own creations. Something i've been mulling over for a while might finally get realized in the coming month. In the meantime i've just bought some mica powders and am currently testing these out so i'll share the results in the next post.

Work Work Work

I just ordered a new book, How To Make Money using Etsy, by Timothy Adam. So far it has great insights into how to make the most of your online shop and making use of such tools as google analitics and google trends and making use of keywords. alot to take in but should hopefully go along way in improving shop stats and sales. All this online jargon is rather annoying, and i feel like i'm spending all my time in front of a computer at the moment, but i have managed to spare a few hrs to start playing with some new mica powder i just bought. Test pieces are in the kiln so i will post later with results.

In the meantime why not check out my latest treasury based on my favourite colour Green. All the items are from the UK. Let me know what you think, click on the link below

Etsy Treasury

ETSY SALE

That's right folks till the end of August there's 10% of everything in my Etsy store,

just add coupon code AUGUST10 to your shopping basket.

ETSY SALE

Latest News

Designers Marketplace Middlesborough

Today I shared a stall with The Curious Treehouse at the Designers Marketplace's summer market in Middlesbrough, once again met some great people and a big thank you to all those who came down!

for anyone who missed out today here's a list of where you can find me over the next few months

Saturday 6th August - Northallerton Craft Fair, The Golden Lion Hotel

Saturday 17th September - Hurworth Country Fair - Hurworth Grange

Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th October  -Designers Marketplace in

conjunction with Design Event - The Holy Biscuit Newcastle

Saturday October 29th Designers Marketplace - The Holy Biscuit, Newcastle

Sunday November 6th - Pocklington Craft Fair

Saturday 3rd December - Designers Marketplace - Middlesbrough Town Hall

As ever check out the latest additions to my shop here on Etsy 

Northallerton Craft Fair

Yesterday saw my first outing at the Northallerton Craft Fair, its a fantastic venue at The Golden Lion Hotel on the high street. They're very generous with space, great value for money on the stand. I had quite a successful day with a lot of interest in my work, in particular it was the first time I displayed my hand painted Glass Birds.
Hopefully I will be there again on the Saturday 23rd July so keep your eyes peeled for me.
Now I'm off to start work on some new products.

Craft Fair News

Saturday saw my second outing at the Designers Marketplace, Newcastle. Was a great fair as always, met some like minded stall holders, who I wish all the best and hope to see again.

I have just booked a stall for this Saturday, 2nd July at The Golden Lion Hotel, Northallerton.

So anyone in the area pop on down open 10 till 4.

On another note just bought a new bridge camera so I can finally get some great detailed shots of my work. And finally new items on Etsy like the Midnight Blue Dish above .

Now Selling On Etsy

That's right folks I am now officially selling on Etsy so why don't you pop on over and have a look at my shop - you might find the perfect gift. Above are some examples of the handmade items you can buy.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SimonAldersonGlass

Designers Marketplace - April

Saturday was my first experience at Designers Marketplace at the Holy Biscuit, Newcastle.

it was a brilliant day with lots of interest in the stall, I had a great day meeting the other vendors and thank you to all those with great advice for the future. I will be appearing at the next market in June with more fantastic new products, so watch this space for regular updates.

I'm currently working on the website so keep your eyes peeled as it will be going live soon.

New Glass Work

Kingfisher

BlueTit

Here's a sneak peek at what I've been working on recently, some of the birds from the previous post have been hand painted onto 6mm float glass. they can be hung in front of a window or wall mounted. Each piece is individual yet I'm not sure where this might lead as various ideas keep popping into my head involving a whole aviary. But for now I'm just really enjoying getting back in the saddle with regards to the painting.

New Drawings

Long Tailed Tit Kingfisher

Hummingbird

Field mouse

I've finally started drawing again for pleasure, the above are intended eventually to be painted on glass, mostly for practice, but also I've found this new interest in birds, stylizing them in the traditional style of stained glass, becomming almost mythical with scales etc. A potential way forward for a new range of glassware.

I'll be getting some glass stuff on here soon so keep watching.

Quick update

So I still haven't got this blogging thing down quite yet, but I am working on it and shall have many many new updates soon! so watch this space!

I have been working on various new ideas and looking for places and ways of getting my work out there. I'm pleased to anounce i have been accepted into the Designers Marketplace and shall be showing my wears in their June Market at The Holy Biscuit Newcastle.

heres the link to there website to find out what they are all about.

http://www.designersmarketplace.org.uk/

I'm in the process of getting photos of new work ready so as soon as they are sorted i'll get them up, i'll also be posting some of the drawings i've been doing lately (soon to be painted on glass). Thats all for for now but there is plenty more to follow ttfn.