New product!

This week has seen the launch of a new product in my ETSY shop.  I have spent the long cold winter huddled close to my kiln experimenting with fused glass mini tea light coasters. The first pair were listed and sold within hours which was a great start.

I love the way the magic bubble mix has created a unique watery effect trapped inside the glass.

Most coasters will be sold in pairs but I have a few odd ones like this grid pattern. I had no idea that those bubbles would form in such a perfect pattern like a tic tac toe game. It was so difficult to get the round glass strings to stay in place and balance on top of each other but I think the effort was worthwhile.

I think these would match brilliantly to make a unique gift.

Handpainted decorative tea lights -
www.etsy.com/shop/MerriKitty

Each coaster measures approx 2in sq (5cm) and so they are perfect for use with tea lights.

I have added mini rubber feet to protect delicate surfaces.

These tea lights from www.etsy.com/shop/princessbuttercupsoy

are strawberry shortcake flavour and sound delicious.

These bright orange and yellow coasters make me think of sunshine.

  I am offering a new class to make coasters. You will make 4 mini coasters. You could make a set or try 4 different designs. We will be using stringers, glass chips, copper and wire to add some pizazz to your work. Please ask for more details.

Thursday 19th April – 8pm

     

Bottle Upcycling

After a neighbours party this week I came home to find lots of empty champagne bottles on my doorstep. Yes, I'd rather they were full but even empty ones are useful. I've been perfecting my recycling technique and using my kiln to flatten them into cheeseboards. The finished items are smooth, flat, glossy and perfect for small lumps of cheese or canapes. A perfect standby or hostess gift.

I've also tried smashing them up and putting them into moulds but the final product was a bit spiky. I've been successful with some Bombay Sapphire Gin bottles and have some lumps of blue glass to play with. I think they may turn into a mobile.

I love the Corona bottles. Sometimes the writing comes out a bit less white than I would prefer but that's kiln magic! I've had trouble finding suitable bottles for these lime/lemon cutting boards as the design has changed to two etched sides. In the kiln two etched sides just makes a jumbled writing mess and so I've been searching supermarkets for ones with a peel off sticker on one side. Now I just have to drink all the beer!

Whilst researching other bottle recycling ideas I came across this amazing place in Canada. This building and other glass structures  were built by the late Édouard T. Arsenault who was inspired by a postcard of a glass castle in British Columbia. He started collecting bottles and then gradually began building.There are a number of structures and a garden also inspired by glass. Please click on the pictures or go directly to the website http://www.bottlehouses.com to be amazed.