This year I’m taking part in my first #MarchMeetTheMaker, an Instagram hashtag that promotes makers to explain a little more about what we do.
Its been really quite interesting to see and read about other makers, but it’s also made me look at some of the things I just take for granted about working for myself as well!
Where does the creativity end and the commerciality begin?
Good question! I don’t see it quite as clear cut as that, for some it has to be one or the other but surely they need to sit alongside one another?
Don’t get me wrong, it really wouldn’t be viable for me to produce for example, just one stunning bowl each week that may have taken several firings to achieve. However, as with anything that requires creativity, anything that evolves from the processes, you HAVE to sometimes set aside time to fulfil those projects that get you fired up (*excuse the pun, intended). The one off things, the kiln mishaps – thankfully few – and sometimes the wants and wishes of other people. All these things contribute to the process of designing and making, the learning and experimenting. The “what if I just did…….” ideas that wake you up around 2am. These are so valuable to me!
Simply because there’s an element of commerciality doesn’t mean that the creativity would suffer, in fact I’d go so far to say it’s crucial.
Long live those 2am ideas.
#inspired
#motivated
#happy
…why?
well….let me explain…this is to be my lovely logo for Blueberry Glass.
Its taken me a long while to decide on what I should have, I could have chosen one of the numerous designs I’ve created over the years, but as you all know I am forever designing and making new things!
Along my travels I found a beach in NZ South Island, and all along the shoreline were hundreds and hundreds of pebble stacks, each one had a comment, a date, names of loved ones present (and past)…there lay all these wonderful memory tokens, left by people passing by and done with love, fun and adventure.
The pebble stack is really what I am about – love, fun and adventure, and this will always be a part of what I do, whether in glass or in life.
So…look out for the pebbles! They are going to appear in some of the things you’ll find here on my page in the future…of course alongside my glass designs 😉
Thank you all xx
Blueberry Glass makes a return to this wonderful country show. Last year saw huge crowds enjoy the Bank Holiday event so we are back by popular demand! 🙂
www.whitehorseshow.co.uk
Plenty to see and do, lots of activities happening in the arena and there’s always food and beer tent too 😉
Details can be found on their website ~ hope to see you there!
“I just do glass.”
A simple statement, and one I’ve come to realise really underestimates Blueberry Glass. For such a long time now (in fact 15 years!!), Blueberry Glass has been the thing that keeps me inspired, motivated and happy.
So why that statement? Well basically other people. In other social and sometimes work circles, when I’ve been asked “what is it you do?” I’ve almost always responded in a rather apologetic way. I work from home, by myself for myself….a craftworker (or at least that is what the car insurers call me, they struggle to find any other description to pidgeon-hole me in to), a ‘designer’ – well yes, I do design everything I make too. A manufacturer – yes, I make things!
But is that the entire picture? Not really. It would be too easy to think that my business is only about making pretty things to sell. There’s the admin, bookkeeping, stock control, marketing, advertising…not to mention the events list I attend each year. Like any business, these are just as important for ‘working from home’ in order for things to run smoothly as any other.
But would I have it any other way? NO! I LOVE what I do, I don’t resent Monday mornings or the office politics, the commute to work is no more than a few steps and best of all….I get to be creative every day J It’s never been 9 – 5 and I don’t want it to be either. I quite often have a cat appear at my feet meowing because I’ve missed the fact lunchtime was hours ago!
Thesedays I am more likely to say “I’m a maker, I design produce and sell fused glass both online and at events, and supply a number of galleries and giftshops.” I am proud of Blueberry Glass, it’s come a long way from a small kiln and a handful of ideas, people recognise my work and it continues to be popular. The day I wake up and feel totally uninspired will be the time to stop. It hasn’t happened yet and to be honest, with the sketches of ideas taped all over the wall of my workspace I don’t see that happening soon!
#inspired
#motivated
#happy
That’s me J
A new one for us!
Melplash Show, nr Bridport. Thursday 27th August 2015
This will be the first time at this event, and we are located in the Beside the Sea marquee alongside the Craft tent ~ come and say hello! 🙂
www.melplashshow.co.uk
All ticket details and directions can be found on their website.
Phew, I’ve been really rather busy!
Blueberry Glass is now at Quantock Art & Framing, at Proctors Farm, West Monkton, nr Taunton.
A gorgeous location, with the framers at one end and some beautiful gifts and furniture for sale, there is also a sweet little café selling scrummy cakes! Who could resist?
Richard & Elise give a warm welcome to all their visitors 🙂
I am delighted to announce that Blueberry Glass will be supplying Powderham Castle for their newly refurbished gift shop!
Not far from Exeter, head out on the Dawlish road and Powderham Castle is well sign posted. The grounds are simply stunning, and the Castle itself well worth a visit. Also, look out for events at the Castle…from arts to music festivals!
Wishing Jen and her team all the very best for a busy season ahead 🙂
Well, here obviously! 🙂
But if you would like to see any of the range, Blueberry Glass is available in a select few outlets around the West Country.
Seabreeze, Burnham on Sea, Somerset
A fabulous little gallery and gift shop in the seaside town of Burnham on sea, you find a very friendly welcome at this family run shop, and a great range of Blueberry Glass….some of which is not available online. Definitely worth a visit!
Apple Tree Galleries, Axminster, Devon
Set in the heart of this lovely market town, Apple Tree Galleries excel in finding some of the best art and contemporary crafts in the South West. Found directly opposite River Cottage Café, they also have a small café area too, so why not sample some of their fine coffee and cake while you’re there!
Ginger Fig, Bath Place, Taunton, Somerset
Placed in the cultural centre of town Ginger Fig is an established gallery and gift shop with regular exhibitions upstairs and some fab gift shopping to be had downstairs 🙂
Cinnamon Corner, Wells, Somerset.
A quirky shaped gallery in historic Wells, Cinnamon Corner opened last year but already has a huge following for their art and contemporary makers. You’ll find everything from original paintings, sculptures, textiles, wood and of course glass 😉 Pop over on a Wednesday, have a wander around the market and visit the cathedral, but don’t miss out on Cinnamon Corner!
The shows and events season has kicked off! With the first one at Taunton Racecourse, The Rural Living Show gave me the chance to show off the new display stands. Custom made, they are a perfect fit and compliment the glass in exactly the way I had hoped and received some lovely comments from both customers and other (rather envious!) stallholders 🙂
Looking forward to all the Spring and Summer events so I can show them off some more!