Leaded lights for the front door

I have always thought that it would look really good to put some leaded lights in our front door. There are three apertures in the door with a large fanlight above the door. At the moment there is some simple patterned glass in all of them which is reasonable as it's good for privacy but rather dull in every other respect. In my opinion it's a good idea to take either all or part of an existing decorative feature from around the house and then incorporate this within a new design. Our bay windows, for example, have some original  leaded panels at the top, nothing very unusual, but still quite lovely to look at. When I have thought about a new design for the front door it seemed a good idea to marry the design of the door and bay window panels together rather than create something abstract and modern-looking. So, I have taken the stylized flowers from the existing panels to create something very similar for the front door.

Above: These are the existing panels in the bay window

Below: The front door and fanlight with patterned glass

Below: This is my design for the front door, including the fanlight which will also show the house number painted in the centre of the panel

The glass I have chosen for the whole project is still patterned to keep privacy - there is some reeded and some milky glass too - but it is softer and there are small sections which contain hand-made German Lamberts glass. I think it will really bring everything together and look great when it's in situ. I have already started cutting the glass and with the panels being long and slim it shouldn't take too long before it's all done and finished.

Daisy, the rabbit!

Well, firstly- HAPPY NEW YEAR  everyone!

This is Daisy, my first pre-knitted wire figurine!

The pic I should've added...

I was supposed to post a pic of some of the jewellery I made for Vienna but totally forgot! This is a mixture of butter jade and my own lampwork beads. I actually quite like mixing the two, it makes a more interesting piece. Subtle, but pretty!

Back on track...

Cleared my desk yesterday, what a mess it was!!! No surprise I was recently rather reluctant to do anything- apart from avoiding doing anything. Anyway, seems like I'm back on track again, sorted my sitemaker subscription, my wireless connection to my phone and have even managed to get Orange to send us a new router!!!
So, next on my list is updating my website, absolute priority.

xxxe

Miffed but still creative....

Feeling a bit cheesed off today! Was just about to update my website, doing the usual adding of new pics and text, changing the layout etc. but something's not quite working. Not sure what happened but my yearly subscription has suddenly changed to a free plan which limits my use of data, links, support etc. Bit of a nuisance that this happens on the weekend as I can't contact anyone to help!!! Boohoo!!!

Anyway, on a more positive note I can actually put on some music and just make a few bits of jewellery, to be sent to Vienna next week! Will post a pic later!!

xxxe

Successful morning at hobbycraft!

Today I did my Macramé demonstration at Hobbycraft! Not one for blowing my own trumpet, but - I think it was a success! At first I was a bit worried, don't know why, I've taught loads of workshops in the past and I always like talking to people- but it was good fun. I was busy from the minute I set up and it was nice to see so many young girls trying out some knotting techniques and then walking away with a big smile and a nice little bracelet. Best of all they can show it off to their friends or their gran and proudly say: "I made that"!

Also had some interest in my designs, and am thinking whether I could make them into kits and try and  sell them that way...worth a thought!

xxxe

Feeling quite busy...

Phew, what a day! Have just been writing up an instruction sheet for a Woven "shamballa" style bracelet kit. It always sounds perfectly logical when you explain something but as soon as you put it down on paper it all sounds really wrong. Anyway, it's all done now, have not looked on the web so as not to copy (subconsciously) someone else's writing style. All I need to do now is add illustrations, this will be the fun bit- I'm still not sure whether I should draw them out or have step-by-step photographs.....
I will be -hopefully- selling these kits on sunday at my demonstration at Hobbycraft in Ventura Park, Tamworth, Staffordshire. I'm on from 11-3pm, so please come and see me, have a go at macramé or just have a little chat.

Better get ready now, attending an Espadrille workshop at COW in Birmingham this evening and still lots to finish off here. I will be posting a pic of my new shoes, so watch this space!!

xxxerika