At the end of the rainbow...

When I saw this rainbow ending directly 'inside' my garage (soon to be studio), I couldn't resist. You can't tell on the photo, but it really continued down in front of the houses and into my future artistic home. The builder (John) came yesterday and started digging the foundations, but found that there are some there already - unusual for a garage, and a happy coincidence. So rather than taking a photo of a small pile of concrete rubble, I thought you might prefer a rainbow.

As for torching in the cellar........NOT my favourite pastime, lol! But it's good to stay busy and be able to fill orders!

Complications...

...no serious ones, just enough for me to wish I knew more about how these things are done. It's our own fault - we overlooked the 'conditions' in the building regs! So when I called and asked whether they seriously wanted us to cart a huge slab of stone in to them (as well as a slate), I was told 'yes'. And the need for a 1:20 drawing of the roof flashings is somewhat hampered by me not knowing what they're talking about, and our roofer being a roofer (and a very good one!), not an architect. Did I mention our fabulous roofer? He's rising to the challenge and getting out pencil & paper, and will also take care of the carting of slabs & slate. In the meantime, foundations for the back wall will be dug by our builder tomorrow (which made me double-check the days of the week!)

So, all's good in the world of studios, just a bit confused!

With no new studio pics, here are some amber rough pups, my favourite of the bead sets currently on my site ;o)

Day 3

Well, end of Day 2, really! The roofers are done for now, seeing as they don't have any stonework to work with and lay the roof on! So they'll be having a day off today, and I'll need of something else to blog about ;o) The stonework needs building up to the gable, and the back, which also has a garage door, will be built up to have a 'proper' door and a window. There will be two conservation grade velux windows in the ceiling. Already, it looks so much more spacious inside. I'm in the process of finalising my ventilation system, before pressing the 'order' button.

Day no. 2

It was still a bit dark when I left this morning, and the angle is a bit disorienting, but, essentially, the roof has gone! It was an eyesore, tarp and pitch and whatever - the new one will look much nicer, pitched, rather than flat, adding extra space. I don't know if I'll update you all every day, but whenever there's anything to see, I'll share it here!

New beginnings!

After nearly two years of waiting, the builders finally started on my garage, turning it into a beautiful studio. Waiting for this has been frustrating - I bought a fabulous big torch (bearing in mind my 'normal' torch isn't small, either) as a second torch a few months ago, and, with a promise of builders just around the corner, decided to be patient and set it up in the new studio......fast forward about 15 weeks!!!

I'll be so excited to see this project finished - I'll be able to hold open studios, teach, torch with natural light (luxury!)...here is what my 'studio' looked like in January 2008 - quite a while ago, I've since (in fact, that same month) had a dual fuel torch, an oxycon, and a kiln, but the generic set-up (i.e. the garage) remains the same. Cosy, huh?

I'll keep you all updated on progress!

Get your business straight, set a date...

...and don't you dare be late!

That's nearly the lyrics to the song (not wanting to blaspheme), from the musical 'Five Guys Named Moe', which I first came across when I was 17, and I still love it now (think swing & fifties).

Reason for this post is that I've had a date from the builder...a week today, they will descend on my garage. So, I'm getting my business straight, and setting a date. I'll have a 'proper' lampworkers' get-together, but I'm having a simple open studio on Saturday, 21st of November, to coincide with the village Christmas market. Not quite willing to plaster my address all over the internet, email me at mail@littlecastledesigns.co.uk if you can come, and I'll send out details (I know, not very open, I'll have to work on that, but I would love to have lovely people there! ;o))

New ventures, but no name!

I've had a play and made this, then I asked around, and the general consensus is to make more. Shown is the prototype, which is perfect for me (i.e. laid back and relaxed), but there will be posher ones, with silk, cotton, wool, yarns, scarves, much more delicate that the one shown.

Question is, with such a wide range (from 'scarf with lampwork bead' to 'fabric necklace with lampwork bead'), what shall I call these little babies of mine? Scarves? Necklaces? Scecklaces? Snarves? Snoozles (my favourite so far)? Ane clever ideas would be gratefully received!