Blue Fairy's Blog

Blue Fairy conquers New Forest Show!

2012-07-27T06:18:00.001-07:00

So, after several months of hard, hard slog, me and my mountains of stock finally made it to New Forest Show! Three sweltering hot days of sales and silliness just about sums it up, I was lucky enough to have great stall neighbours in the form of Alan, an astonishingly talented artist specialising in animal and pet portraits, who was supported by his lovely wife Lesley, then on my other side was our Wendy from Smallprint, who makes stunning silver fingerprint jewellery. Together with them and my beautiful assistants, Sarah and Kay, we survived the madness of our first show! Although we unfortunately didn't get to see the Queen, the atmosphere was buzzing and I met some fantastic people along the way. So I'm sat here now, exhausted and slightly disbelieving that I've done it and it's all over, but so pleased with what I've achieved. Bye bye New Forest, thanks for having me and hopefully see you again next year!!

Yippee, new stockist!

2012-06-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

As of today, you can now see a selection of my work at the newly opened Courtyard Kitchen at Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton. Jo, of The Courtyard Kitchen, previously had a small unit to the side of the mill, and has now relocated to the main centre of the mill. She has been working very hard to open her new cafe and happily opened for business yesterday. The result is a beautiful, shabby chic style interior, a lovely place to meet for a coffee and one of Jo's delicious homemade cakes. Or why not push the boat out and stay for lunch?!
Jo has decided to stock some lovely pieces for sale from local artisans, and I'm lucky enough to be one of her first suppliers. My partner in crime, Sandy, of Sandibags.com, with whom I had a stall at the Hampshire Country Show, has some of her pretty handbag organisers on the lower shelves as well.
As you can see from the pictures, Jo has done a sterling job on creating a cosy homely environment in which to take the weight off your feet. And maybe indulge in a spot of shopping while you're there!!

First big show....... done!

2012-06-06T00:32:00.000-07:00

Have spent the last three days at the Hampshire Country Show at Broadlands, Romsey, and I'm exhausted! I've only done smaller, one day shows before, so this is the first time I've been out to play with the big boys (and girls) and I like to think I held my own! I had a pitch together with my friend Sandy of www.sandibags.com and we tried to make our stall patriotic and inviting in honour of the jubilee, with rosettes, ivy, fairy lights and little red, white and blue flower arrangements. We had a great time and were very lucky with the weather the first two days, it managed to hold out until about 11am yesterday when the heavens opened with a vengeance and washed all the customers away! We were just glad it had stayed away for so long, as it had been threatened for the whole weekend, and at least it meant we could pack up early and get home to a nice hot bath!
I have several smaller shows lined up, then it's off to the real biggie, the New Forest Show at New Park, Brockenhurst, on the 24th, 25th and 26th July, gulp!
Here are a few pictures from Broadlands when the stall was first set up, I was really pleased with it.

Events 2012

2012-05-07T06:23:00.000-07:00

Several people have been asking where they can see my work, so here is a list of some of the larger events I will be exhibiting at this year :-)

May

12th - Winchester Discover Centre Craft Fair

Jewry Street, Winchester 10am - 4pm

19th - New Milton Craft Fair

Memorial Hall, New Milton 10am - 5pm

June

3rd, 4th and 5th Hampshire Country Show

Broadlands Estate, Romsey 10am - 5pm

July

14th - Winchester Discover Centre Craft Fair

Jewry Street, Winchester 10am - 4pm

21st - New Milton Craft Fair

Memorial Hall, New Milton 10am - 5pm

24th, 25th and 26th - New Forest & Hampshire County Show

The Showground, New Park, Brockenhurst 9am - 6pm

September

8th - Romsey Show

Broadlands Estate, Romsey 9am - 6pm

December

1st and 2nd - Handmade Christmas

Winchester Guildhall, Winchester 10am - 5pm

I also have a permanent display at the Gallery within Kimbridge Farm Shop and Annie's Tearooms at Kimbridge on the Test, with new stock added monthly!

April 12

2012-04-06T04:28:00.001-07:00

helenbluefairy's photostream on Flickr.

Some new items for the upcoming fairs!

Some new items for 2012

2012-03-20T03:31:00.001-07:00

2012, a set on Flickr.

Ooh shiny!.........and relax

2011-10-03T13:59:00.001-07:00

Here are the cabs, fresh from the kiln and now beautifully clear again, thanks to their 680C fire polish. Now all that's left is to attach a sterling silver bail, and finally, the pendants are ready.

See all the pictures in sequence, along with some more professional pictures of the results in the album "Processes" on my Facebook Business page! (And please feel free to "like" me while you're there xxx)

Nearly there.......

2011-10-01T14:01:00.001-07:00

After hours of work on the flat lap grinder (I have no nails left!) the cabs are finally ready to go back in the kiln for another six hours or so for fire polishing. Tired tonight!

........and the next stage is.....

2011-09-30T01:50:00.001-07:00

Ready for coldworking! Does the poor grinder know what it has in store?!

And so it starts......

2011-09-27T15:16:00.001-07:00

Oh yes, preparation for the festive season is well underway chez BlueFairy, and the poor kiln is wondering what's hit it! Currently trying to fit in two firings a day, not as easy as it sounds! Here is a shelf of pendants I've been making today, ready to go in first thing in the morning, when tonight's firing (a carved bowl and coaster set) has finished!

New items for sale on website and Etsy

2011-09-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Finally got round to listing a few new items on my website and Etsy - including this little fused glass pendant, and a sunflower wall hanging, which is my current favourite!!

New Etsy Treasury

2011-09-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

Just ~~wasted~~ spent a happy half an hour browsing through all the gorgeous things the FHF team have to offer on Etsy, and couldn't resist popping a quick treasury together.

Beautiful Big Hole Beads on Etsy

Blue Fairy in the National Press!!!!

2011-09-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

SO excited, some of my coasters have been featured in the October issue of "Handmade Living" magazine. Yippee, fame at last!!!

What I did on my holiday.............

2011-08-25T13:37:00.000-07:00

So, technically I'm supposed to be on holiday, but in reality I've been making the most of my husband being home to look after the kids, and spending every second I can holed up in the studio. Been on a bit of an art trail this week, here are a couple of offerings.

More to follow!!!

New Bridal Etsy shop is open!

2011-08-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

I have finally got round to opening my new Etsy shop dedicated to hair accessories and jewellery for weddings, proms and posh parties, which I have called Brides and Belles. I have made tiaras, hairpins and jewellery for several weddings, including my own, and really enjoy it, so decided to offer it as a service to run alongside my glass. Hope you like it, and if you know of anyone with a wedding, prom or party in the offing, please pass on my details! I will be adding items gradually over the next few days, at the moment, please feel free to go over and admire the lone tiara I have listed, lol!

New Mobile Website

2011-08-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

Previously, it wasn't possible to view my website on your iPhone, as my site uses Flash player, which isn't available on iPhones. However, I've just launched a new mobile site, which offers a snapshot of Blue Fairy Designs. Pretty cool, huh?!

Recent Etsy Treasuries

2011-08-08T07:09:00.000-07:00

Woah, haven't checked out my inclusion in Etsy treasuries for a couple of weeks, and I've been lucky enough to be featured in quite a few!! Here are a couple of my favourites :o)

Modern technology!

2011-08-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm........... it's all a bit tricky! Just in the process of trying to link all of my different accounts, my website, Facebook page, Twitter account, Etsy shop, Flickr photostream, Folksy shop, this blog........I have different followers and likers in each area, so would be nice to be able to link them all up! So, I apologize in advance if there are a plethora of similar messages from different locations while I try and work it all out!!

Next technology lesson for me....what on earth is RSS?!?!? Lol!

Having a bit of a lull on the making front and am currently in organizational mode, or what passes for it in my house anyway!! The studio is very very nearly complete now, and I will be posting pictures soon! I am now in the process of trying to get fairs booked and promoting my business, which is all very tricky!

Still, I'm at my happiest when glassy gorgeousness is created, my current obsession is bracelets. Here are a couple of commissions, I really enjoyed making them. (Dodgy pictures taken on phone, apologies in advance!!)

Getting plastered!!!

2011-06-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

It's all getting a bit exciting round here, walls are now plastered and flooring is going down tomorrow, and hopefully plaster will be dry enough to start moving the units in on Saturday!! I can't wait, I've literally got stuff everywhere, it'll be nice to get the house back!! It's also a bit of a challenge to production when I'm running between rooms gathering different colours and materials to make things. Fair number one of six is tomorrow night, at Chandlers Ford Infant School, so I've been furiously fusing away, trying to get things ready. No beadies though, as obviously the torch is all packed away, I'm having serious withdrawal symptoms. Does that make me a pyromaniac?!?!

Here are a couple of new WIP shots, taken this morning before Simon had plastered the back wall, which is all finished now. There's a lovely spot there, just begging for a lampie table........ :o)

At last, studio is being built, yippee!

2011-06-20T02:47:00.000-07:00

Since we moved into our house last year, I've been working wherever I can, mostly from a corner of the garage, sometimes the kitchen table, sometimes the living room floor........... you get the idea.

But now, at last, my lovely husband Simon is setting about renovating the garage for me, to have a permanant beautiful workspace, yippee!! (I think my evil ploy of taking over most of the house has finally worked, muwahahah!!) He is insulating and plastering it all, and luckily we kept all of our old kitchen units, so they're going out there as ready made storage. I have plans for set areas for each process - a fusing area, a lampworking table, a coldworking area where the grinder will live, a silversmithing station...... so no pressure Simon!! So far, most of the plasterboard is up, the basics of the electrics are in place and the insulated floor is down, ready for the laminate to go on top. I've just despatched hubby and father in law off to B&Q for the trillionth time for more supplies. I'm so excited! Here are couple of "before" pictures, and "work in progress" shots! Notice the kiln is still being pressed into action amid the chaos, I have six events in the next month, so no time for slacking!

On display.....................

2011-06-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to announce that Blue Fairy Designs is now exhibiting in the Gallery at Kimbridge Farm Shop and Tea Rooms near Romsey, Hampshire. Located on the beautiful Kimbridge Estate, the shop and adjoining restaurant have built a superb reputation for quality and service. Currently on display, I have fused glass art, canvases, bowls, coasters, wall hangings and some pendants. I will have a permanent display there until at least January 2012. Here are a few pictures to whet your appetite :o)

Craft Pimp Blog Ring - Jolene of Kitzbitz Art Glass

2011-06-05T05:39:00.000-07:00

I have great pleasure in introducing you to Jo at Kitzbitz Art Glass, a versatile young lady who produces gorgeous twisties, shards and frit blends for lampworkers as well as her own beautiful glass and fimo beads.

She has also set up the Craft Pimp forum, where craftmakers from all disciplines can display their wares, which is building up a good following.

Here are some of my favourite items of Jo's difficult to choose when there are so many! Please check out her Flickr photostream for more glassy goodies.

Brides and Belles

2011-05-31T05:48:00.001-07:00

helenbluefairy's photostream on Flickr.

Just uploaded pictures from my new range, Brides and Belles, to my Flickr photostream. A range of tiaras, hairpins and jewellery for weddings proms and posh parties!!

Blog Ring Wk3 - SilverGems Design

2011-05-23T08:06:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, sorry for the absence, I've had a few technical issues, but I am back now and delighted to bring you a new spotlight on another talented member of the Craft Pimp Forum - our clever Gemma of SilverGems Design!
I am lucky enough to know Gemma personally, and am pleased to report that she is as lovely as she is talented! I've watched Gemma grow in confidence and ability since she first started lampworking in Spring 2010, and it is hard to believe she has only been working with glass for a little over a year. The beads she is producing now are simply stunning, and she has a great eye for colour. She is also a dab hand at chain maille and makes gorgeous and intricate jewellery. Please head over to her Flickr album to see more of her wonderful work, in the meantime, here are a few of my favourites.

Wk2 Blog Ring - Ruthie

2011-04-25T05:14:00.001-07:00

May I introduce you to Ruthie, a member of the Craft Pimp forum who is a very talented seed beader. I am always in awe of people who have this skill, I simply haven't got the patience! Ruthie also incorporates unusual items in her pieces, such as coins and feathers, which are a lot of fun!

My favourite item is this pretty netted collar, it must have taken such a lot of work and concentration.

I'm also tickled by this bead made of beads (!) Ruthie's gorgeous Urchin necklace. Clever stuff, eh?!?!