11 March 2010

 

We are having a big shift around of stock in the next few months. Some galleries will be holding more stock some will be let go - depends on many factors not in the least of which is my new focus on more complex pieces that are simply too high a price for some of the galleries.  Some of my work is being rebranded and will be sold under the name Karen Irwin Art Glass Originals - Paradise Glass remains the name of my gallery and business. 

The magnet making has become a new thing for me as well. In the past I just shoved the oopsies in a basket and sold them for $5 but lately I have been working on designing and creating these items as stand alone works of art. Yes, I believe that the ubiquitous fridge magnet can indeed be a work of art.  I will still have smaller pendants for sale but I won't be selling the bookmarks, phone dangles, bottle openers, letter openers or pens from the site any more.  If you catch me at the artisans fairs or art beat during the year that's where you will pick up those items - or of course if you drop in to see me.  Despite having two quite slow years we have decided to stick with it and open again for the 2010/11 summer season so I will be working on restocking goods for that time.  Have a few pieces at the Royal  Easter Show and a couple of xhibitions whch I will tell you more about in my next post.  Got a new lot of Double Helix today which includes aether - the encasing clear glass which costs a fortune but seems to work vey well indeed. I am running private tuition for those that want to learn more about using the double helix glasses, drop me a line if you are interested in booking lessons $45 hour including studio hire, tuition, and glass.

Figures just in have the NZGBA having donated 1700 beads to the beads of courage programme, well done us.  This is a cause that is easily contributed to by bead artists and if you are not already on board I encourage you to get in touch with Isla Osbourne and join in the good cause.

 

5 February 2010

 

Ye Gods it's been quiet. I think people stayed home in their thousands this year - never has it been so peaceful over Xmas around our little community.  I turned 50 so we had a small get together and I finally conceeded to beginning the second half of my century.  I have been working really hard on developing my technique of transfering lampwork design to fused glass pieces. Mixed results mean I have a lot of fused glass magnets for sale :-). However the pieces that do work are absolutely stunning. I am having some of them set in sterling bezels to try out in a few of the galleries. As always I suck at updating the website but will get a few new things online by end Feb.  Starting to think about the annual bead competition as well as the Royal Easter Show Exhibit and I even thought I might have a crack at the Bead Dreams competition in the US ( if I can get my butt organised).   Looks like I will be teaching at the Annie Rose studio some time in the next few months - using that lovely double helix glass that Judith has just brought in.  Pop over to her website to view workshop details.  I am off tommorow to pick up an oxygen concentrator yippee.  No more lugging great tanks of oxy around the place. Will try it out next week so hope it performs.  Will let you know

 

TTFN

Karen

 

27 September 2009

 

Just returned from the Wanganui Glass Festival - what an awesome little town.  Had a blast watching glass blowing and sand casting in the dark and being in the plate making course run by Claudia Borella (check her out at www.claudiaborella.com)

I'm really sorry that it takes me so long to get new pieces online but I keep finding other far more exciting things to.  Shop opens October 1 and I have filled it with gorgeous glass and other wonderful treasures for you all to gaze at. Drop by anytime from then through to the end of March (when I will be due for a good rest). My favourite pieces at present are ones that  I lampwork, fuse, grind, rivet and etch - the resulting pieces are simply lovely and I can say with all honesty you will never ever get another anywhere close in size shape or colour.  Will try to post a few next week. Pieces have just been sent off for the NZGBA annual exhibit at Essenze in Parnell - opening 8 October I think.  If you are close by pop in and check out the range of glass wearable art available from a variety of artists. I will also be appearing in next years NZSAG Glass Book along with many other glass artists from all disciplines.

TTFN

 

Karen

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 August 2009

 

Aaaargh so busy - brain hurts.  Am working on fused plates, platters and wall panels and am loving it.  Will probably take me until mid 2010 to be really underway but the tester plates are so nice I thought I'd put them online for you to see. We are gearing up to be open on the 1st of October and I hope to have lots and lots of visitors over the summer.  The teaching went really well and I enjoyed trying to encourage the students to reveal their inner selves. Organic beadmaking is not so simple for people who like structure and planning.  A few more items up on line this month (check out the lovely earrings)  but I am really finding it hard to keep things fresh - so the only real choice you have is to come visit isn't it.  See ya'll soon.

 

 

22 June 2009

 

What?? This is regular.

Anyway I am teaching at Born To Bead Studio this weekend - playing with double helix glass and introducing organic bead making. I am looking forward to it, especially as I have never been to Lisa's studio before.

Wow and double wow, I have just designed a series of beads with their own glass bails and I am really happy with the way they have turned out.  I think I will be doing a little more with these in the future.

Have listed quite a few specials this month as we are trying hard to pay off oldest sons student loan.  Silly boy fell in love over the internet and has moved to the US and married his online girl.  This is great but he is having a hard job finding a job and his student loan is now accruing interest at a disgusting rate of knots.

Check it all out and I'll be back next month

 

Karen

 

 

 

 

 12 May 2009

 

Hey everyone.  I have decided to change the monthly newsletter to a BLOG mainly because I suck at doing a regular newsletter but also because quite a few of the emailed newsletters are being returned/bounced.  So I will do my best to keep this page more up to date (but hey who am I kidding - I'd rather be making beads).

 

The New Zealand National Bead Competition was held this month and yipee for me I managed to place my bead in the Best Flameworked Bead Category.  I will try to get a pic to post but the NZGBA (New Zealand Glass Bead Artists) are holding the bead at present.  I was beaten out for the ultimate award by  Lisa Jane Harvey of Born To Bead in Auckland just as I was last year - darn you Lisa Jane Harvey I will have my revenge hahahahahahaha.  Ooops did I say that out loud.  Seriously though the competition promotes some serious challenges to bead makers and I enter every year just to try and keep myself honest - it's very easy to do what you do do well sort of thing but a beadmaker needs to grow you know and this is definately one of the best ways.

 

I attended a  class run by Kathryn Wardell of Australia during the Annie Rose Bead week this month as well.  While I have a very different style to anything Kathryn produces I still found the class challenging and interesting. I am now looking at more sculptural work and working off mandrel as a way of developing my style.

 

Talking about my style I was given the official raspbery when I mentioned to my peers that I didn't have a "style".  Of course I did they all said.  Apparently I am a structured organic style so there you go.  All this time I thought I was the close your eyes and hope f or the best style :-)

 

TTFN

 

Karen