Madbert's diary

2011-11-10T23:59:00.001-08:00

This is the next event and a new one for me. I am working flat out to make lots of lovely goodies including some new work made using sea glass picked up on Teignmouth's own beach.

The opening weekend will be a busy one I am sure as there is the added bonus of being able to buy tea and cakes and on Sunday night listen and dance to 2 Jazz bands!

If you fancy buying someone something really unique and special for Christmas this might be the ideal event to find it in!

Demo day in Widecombe in the Moor

2011-11-03T02:55:00.000-07:00

Sunday 6th November, from 10.30 to 4.30 I will be spending the day at the National Trust shop in Widecombe in the Moor. I will be more than happy to chat about and show you how stained glass pieces are made and answer any questions you might have. Be great to see you!

Widecombe National Trust Shop

2011-10-05T01:54:00.000-07:00

This is my cosy corner in the National Trust Shop in Widecombe in the Moor. During October and November you can see my recent Haytor pieces and other lamps, mirrors and small gifts, perfect for special Christmas gifts!
Have a great day out, climb up one of the fabulous tors to work up an appetite, go to Widecombe and have a lovely cuppa and something nice to eat, go ahhhhh at the Dartmoor ponies and then go and see some lovely stained glass in the National Trust shop. Perfect, sounds great doesn't it!
Oh yes and if you want to come and say hi, I will be there all day demonstrating on Sunday 6th November. Love to see you!

summer madness

2011-08-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

Had a great meeting with Pam at the National Trust shop in Widecombe in the Moor last week and as a result I will be holding an exhibition in the upper floor of the shop for the month of October and possibly some of November. Be a great excuse to see some of my work and have a lovely walk around the village and nearby tors! I'll keep you posted!

Guest designer

2011-08-07T23:24:00.000-07:00

I had a guest designer at Easter in the form of my daughter Maddy and she came up with this little treat. Negotiations about designer's fees still in progress!

TEIGN ARTISTS 6 DAYS OF ART

2011-05-11T05:23:00.000-07:00

Hi this is my next event!

There is a launch event at Rill Estate, Buckfastleigh on the 14th and 15th May, 10 - 5, see lower photo.

Then the open studio event will happen over the last weekend in May and the first weekend in June.

This is your chance to take a look at some of the fabulous talent we have in the area.

Pop in for a chat and coffee, I'd love to see you.

For more info check out the website www.teignartists.co.uk or email me for a brochure

Work in progress

2011-04-12T01:30:00.000-07:00

Wonderfully busy times.

Just taken part in the art and craft show at RHS Rosemoor and met some great fellow crafters.

In the middle of 4 panel project for St Luke's college in Exeter. Each panel has a theme of an element and I have nearly completed the water panel. Having fun with these panels as each has its own identity but also works as a whole collection.

2011-03-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

Next event is

The Art show at RHS Rosemoor at Torrington.

Friday 8th April - Sunday 10th April.

Open daily from 10 - 5.

Art and Craft by members of Devon Artist Network.

A wonderful mix of good quality work in the beautiful setting of Rosemoor. Make a day of it and share a special day out with your friends or family!

What's next?

2010-11-17T06:36:00.000-08:00

I have been really fortunate lately, I have been given the chance to join an amazingly talented group of people to do a stall at the Westpoint, Christmas Shopping Fayre.

Organised by the wonderful Tori Elliot, the stall will have a variety of top class work including Tori's illustrations and photographs, paintings and lots more.... oh yes and a bit of lovely stained glass!!!

For more info on whose work will be on Tori's stall and what kinds of things you could be tempted into buying please check out Tori's Erapology blog.

Event runs 26th to 28th Nov, starts 9.30am.

Time is passing so quickly

2010-06-29T03:55:00.000-07:00

Hi,

how very remiss of me not to have blogged for such a long time!

Lots has happened since I last wrote to you.

Dartmoor National Park bought the 'Haytor' panel I exhibited in their Princetown exhibition. I am so proud of this, as a devonian through and through this is a real honour for me! The piece is now hanging in the visitors centre at Haytor itself. My stained glass piece can be seen glowing in one window and then as you turn you can see the rocks themselves in the next window. How brilliant is that!

I went on a really good adventure to France with the twinning association in Feb. Newton Abbot is twinned with the champagne town of Ay and I was invited to put up a display and do a demonstration as part of their English week. The opportunity to visit a champagne town is not one to be turned down is it! To cut a long story short, met lots of really lovely people, ate well, sampled lots of champagne and had a thoroughly good time. The exhibition and demo went well too!!!

I am taking part in Exeter's craft festival in a couple of days time (2nd and 3rd July). It is taking place on the Cathedral Green and seeing some friendly faces always brightens up the day so if you are in Exeter at the weekend please come and say hi.

Bye for now

June

By the way contrary to what my husband might say I cannot actually drink a whole big bottle of champagne on my own! Cheers!

End of December chat

2009-12-31T02:09:00.000-08:00

Hello there, it has been a while since I was here last. Hope you are all well.

Really excited as I have had a piece accepted for exhibition in High Moorland Visitor Centre in Princetown. The exhibition celebrates Dartmoor and runs from early Jan to Feb 28th. If you are going over the moors, please remember 'Don't stray from the path!' Hopefully some of you out there will remember this phrase!

colour, glass, theme and humming

2009-10-21T04:50:00.001-07:00

Colour and glass are on the agenda for this Thursday night. Please bring paints or watercolour pencils if you have them. Brushes and small pots for water. Scissors, paper glue, magazines, glass of different types that the group could have small samples of and something to put your samples in!
Oh yes and bring your ideas for a theme to work on and any research you have done on your chosen theme. If this is as clear as mud then don't panic I'll explain in class.
Come in humming or singing a tune and I'll try to guess it. Not too obscure a tune please!

Resources for this week

2009-10-15T01:55:00.000-07:00

Hi, better late than never?
if you missed last week you will need to bring sharp craft knife/scissors, 4" square of cathedral glass and any kiln paper that you might have lurking at home. Gloves if you have sensitive skin.

For this week as we are doing etching you will need, sticky back plastic, electrical tape, wood glue if you have it, tracing paper, A3 book, pencil, research material, waterproof gloves, apron and a big smile!
See you later.

October update

2009-10-05T04:56:00.000-07:00

Devon open studio has been and gone. The hours were long this time and I was open for 15 of the 16 days, what was I thinking??? Met some super people and caught up with lots of friends so that is really positive.
Last Friday hung my exhibtion at the Framing Lot in Dawlish. It will be there for the whole month of October.
My 20 week improver's class has just started and the energy of the group means it should be another super course.
Resources reminder for this coming Thursday- sharp craft knife, scissors, pencil, rubber, tracing paper, A3 book, glass cutting tools, gloves if your hands are sensitive, fibre (shelf) paper if you have any and pieces of cathedral glass no more than 4" sq.

August update

2009-08-19T00:12:00.000-07:00

Hello again,
had a good time at both Exeter Craft Fair and the Devon Wildlife Trust event. Even managed to assemble and take down the gazebo in record time and without any fatalities! Not bad for a newly initiated gazebo owner!
Coming on to the event schedule is Devon Open Studios. From the 5th - 20th Sept (excluding 6th) I shall be in the studio from 11am - 6pm. I enjoy these events as I get to meet and talk with all sorts of new folk. If it is quiet then I am able to get creating. I do get rather tired and need red wine to recover but hey ho that's not a bad thing. Maybe see you there this year?

Cathedral Green in Exeter

2009-06-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

It has been an age since I last blogged but my studio has been a hive of activity.
This weekend (12th and 13th June) I have been on the Cathedral Green in Exeter showing my wares as part of Exeter Craft Fair. Today was lovely and sunny and the Green was full with people enjoying the craft fair and the entertainment.
Next weekend I am back on the Green again as part of Devon Wildlife Trust Festival. I haven't done this before and am a little nervous as I have to take my own gazebo and tables and all the equipment that is usually magically there for you to use. If you are in the area please stop by and say hi.

March news

2009-04-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken of the group and myself at the end of an improvers course in the studio. Each Monday night this group has assembled for laughter, fun, and even some stained glass! For 20 weeks this lovely gaggle of people has lifted my spirits and challenged my grey matter. Well done to all of you and can't wait to see some of your work exhibited in the studio in September.

February nearly over

2009-02-10T05:20:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but I can't wait for March. In the studio the sight of snow falling was fun first time and I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed snowball fighting but what about the other awful weather that has come our way! Yuk! Roll on March. Anyway that is enough Winter moaning. Happy spring thoughts to you.

The Glamour Girls of the studio

2008-12-10T02:13:00.000-08:00

Sorry you three but I couldn't resist! The naughty elf in me took over! As you can see from these photos the immensely glamorous lifestyles that they usually enjoy are sacrificied for the craft! Even an injured foot is not allowed to get in the way of working hard in the studio!

Monday nighters

2008-11-20T09:02:00.001-08:00

These lovely people are some of the Monday night class. They are currently working on creating a 3d project, lamp, wall light, tower lamp and pipe cover. The task was to create a card maquette and then make the 3d object in glass. All going well.

Where has the time gone?

2008-11-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I last blogged and I'm not sure where all the time has gone.
The 20 week course is going really well even though some of the tasks and new ideas have caused some learners to look at me with that 'what the hell are we doing this for' look on their faces.
Just this week travelled down to Blackawton to teach a day workshop to the WI. Despite the pouring rain on the way down, all went well.
More good news. Turn of the Tide in Teignmouth is now stocking my work too and apparently the Nov/Dec issue of Devon Diary is out this week and I am definitely in it!

Sunny September

2008-10-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Wow that September was badly needed wasn't it! The sunshine and blue skies were just the tonic for the awful summer.
Although I did enjoy the sunshine it was a busy month too. The exhibition in Dawlish went really well and will look forward to going back next year. South West Craft Gallery in Tavistock has agreed to stock some of my work and apparently I should feature in Devon Diary in Nov/Dec issue!
Started a brand new course in the studio this week. It is a 20 week course and should keep me out of trouble on a Monday night up to March!! Will keep you posted on how it goes.
With all of this you'd think I wouldn't have had time to make any glass pieces but little heart mirrors of one colour or another have been flying out to shops and galleries.

2008-09-09T02:02:00.000-07:00

Good news

Exhibition up! Feature in the Mid Devon Advertiser!
Some work on its way to a new gallery in Topsham! All good news!
This little christmas tree is not one of my designs but one that is so bright and cheerful I love it. Once the stained glass piece is removed to hang somewhere there is a coloured photocopy of it underneath to create a card!

Nearly exhibiton time

2008-08-23T01:32:00.001-07:00

Oh crikey so little time left before the exhibition in The Framing Lot. This summer has been so busy with one thing and another and oh crikey!!! To be honest I am nearly ready but it has been at the expense of writing the book, writing schemes of work and all the other stuff that keeps trying to get my attention. Had another brave moment the other day and approached the Mid Devon Advertiser to submit a piece. It should feature in the 6 local papers 5th Sept. Been really busy but still lots to do. That most probably sums up the situation for the majority of my life but I might get bored if it were any other way! Have a good day!

A minute to stop and catch up

2008-07-18T23:25:00.000-07:00

Recently ran a 3 day Art and Design course in the studio. A new challenge for me as my courses tend to be craft based but what a great few days we had. The lovely folk on the course found that either they slept really heavily or hardly at all, brains buzzing with creative energy! Will most definitely be running more of those courses.
Have been trying hard to get to writing the book but now I've got a week long course to teach and need to prepare for my month long exhibition at the Framing Lot in Dawlish starting September. Wish I had one of those time manipulating devices that Hermione Granger had in Harry Potter and I might actually get everything done!

Exeter Craft Fair

2008-06-16T01:36:00.000-07:00

Hooray, all went well and my handmade display boards even made it through a sometimes blustery day!
A long day but a good one. My stall even featured on BBC spotlight's report and I was seen walking around the fair too! Why wasn't I actually in the stall you may be thinking, well each time I left the stall for a quick wander, my friend Persis would stand in for me and always made more sales than when I was present!!! Bizarre but true. I don't think I look that off putting but you never know. Anyway Persis was a star and we had a great day together. Thanks Persis!
Time to return to writing the book again, now that the mad rush to get stuff ready for the fair has passed.

knocking knees

2008-06-10T12:58:00.000-07:00

Exeter craft fair is happening in 3 days and I am still flat out getting ready!
Wish me luck as my knees are knocking!

busy, busy,busy

2008-05-10T01:17:00.000-07:00

This bright and funky light catcher is one of the projects likely to be in the cd book.

All going well with the writing and have booked a friend in to lend a hand (quite literally) for a photo shoot in the studio on Friday. Thankfully my good friend is a stained glasser herself and so will be able to hold the cutter, do the copper foiling and soldering shots really well. A good bottle of wine will be going home with her for sure, most probably some floral gums and winter mixture too!!

The Exeter Craft Festival is coming up in June and I am going to be there for one day on Friday the 13th. Doesn't bode particularly well but nevermind. Have been trying to make display boards which is a new experience. My carpentry knowledge and skills aren't legendary so all I can hope is that it all holds together on the day!!! It will be a long day as it has extended hours into the evening, it takes place on the Cathedral Green and if you fancy popping in and saying hello I would be delighted to see you.

Oh happy days

2008-04-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

Well what a busy time. Through good fortune and my brave boots, I now have some of my fused bowls placed in Tavistock in the new south west crafts shop. Didn't actually make an excursion to Tavistock myself but met a wonderful woman called Jenny who is opening a soap shop in Ashburton and she took my work over for me! How fabulous!!!!!!
Next week a panel that I made last summer for Kingsteignton surgery is going to be put in place in the surgery grounds and another brilliant bit of news is that I have been given the thumbs up for my photos from the publishers. Oh happy days, hope yours is going just as well.

book projects

2008-03-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

Continuing to work on the cd book and the studio is getting full with projects. I am taking the photos myself and I am struggling to produce consistently well lit photos of projects. The end result of this struggle is a studio of half made projects waiting to get the photographic thumbs up from the publishers before I continue making them up. Anyway, I'm not complaining as I am spending time choosing glass for the rest of the projects and it still excites me as there is such a great range of glass to choose from. All will be well in the end I am sure.

Window repair finally finished

2008-03-17T03:55:00.000-07:00

Here at last is the finished window repair. If you remember I managed to drop the new piece of glass that I was trying to put in. Was not a particularly happy bunny about it but hey ho these things happen. Anyway to cut a long story short after lots of huffing and puffing and cups of tea the window was finally finished. Still needs the wooden frame cleaning up but thankfully that's not my area.

Writing a book

2008-03-12T02:36:00.000-07:00

Hi,
this month I have set aside to organising and writing the beginner's stained glass book that I have been commissioned to do. Actually it will be a cd book. Hadn't heard of them myself before the publishers approached me to write one but hell it sounds like a good idea.
Anyway haven't had so much brainache since I wrote my degree dissertation. Thoroughly enjoying the process but already know I am in for weeks of concentrated work on it. Will keep you up to date on how it is going and if I have completely pulled my hair out with it. Hopefully not as it is rather cold out and I am not particularly keen on hats!

first blog comment - thanks

2008-03-04T01:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks Rob you are the first person to leave a comment on my blog! Nice comment as well!
Have actually made some sales from the shop I placed my work in so have even more incentive to put my brave boots on and go out to more places with my work.
I am working on a window repair at the moment. All was going well until I dropped the piece of glass I was meant to be putting in to repair it. Oh well these things happen, that's the problem with glass it doesn't bounce particularly well! Order in some more and try again. I'll let you know how it all turns out when I get the new glass in. Bye for now.

morning workshop

2008-02-28T05:36:00.000-08:00

Just in from teaching in the studio this morning.
Yesterday I packed up all my work and ran around with a dustpan and brush to create workspaces for today. How many work surfaces can 1 person use at one time!! I seem to spread out and have projects everywhere. So today the repaired lamp sat tidily in one corner and most of my current work was packed away.
I love workshop mornings. The teaching is more informal and individual. People come in with their designs whether it is for a lamp, a panel or a fabulous mirror and I give them the skills and support to make it. Over the last year or so I have seen all sorts of things made for all sorts of reasons, wedding gifts, family presents and long desired window panels.
The studio is small and the company is always friendly. On goes the stereo, out comes the kettle and we are away. What a great way to start the day!

New outlet, Yippeeeee!

2008-02-24T08:36:00.000-08:00

Hi, just a little excited as I have managed to place some of my work at a shop in Chudleigh. Was given a push to produce some work with a Valentine theme and find somewhere that would like to sell it. Approaching shops or galleries tends to make my knees knock but decided to get on with it and yippeeeeee it worked.
A fantastic shop called Dandelion has now taken quite a lot of my work.
Going to be brave again soon and approach another shop or gallery. Wish me luck!

Madbert gets started on blogging

2008-02-05T05:08:00.000-08:00

Day one of the blogging experience for Madbert. Hopefully this will be the place that I can share with you life in the studio of a stained glass artist. Just a quick hello today and more news on projects, courses, events to follow!