Cherry Blossom

The garden is starting to look fluffy again (it even had to have a little strim today!) The daffodils and early spring flowers are dying back but the tulips are emerging, the cowslips are still hanging around (I gave Aaron strict instructions to strim around them!!) and the Lily of the Valley shoots are appearing like asparagus all over the place. Blossomwise, the plum blossom is all but finished but the cherry tree is looking very pretty in fluffy white and the ornamental pink cherry has gorgeous plump blooms too.



The peach blossom is just about to make an appearance (next week for sure) but the apples and quinze tree have still a way to go. Today I was wishing they'd all flower at once for a really stunning display but then it would all be over too quickly I guess.

Unfortunately, the best displays in the garden are coming from the rampant nettles .... we've hardly made a start in tackling those this year yet :(

My Atelier Today ..

I was looking at the old photograph of my assembly bench taken last year and was surprised just how much 'clutter' I've added since. It's all lovely clutter obviously :) more ribbon jars, a wire stand, and some old handleless mugs for flowers etc .....and the ever unruly ribbon spools . The cabochons, beads and findings have found a new home - they're currently sprawled over the table in the centre of the floor - I can't show you that today...it's shamefully chaotic (not artistically chaotic or I'd show you that) You can see a sneaky preview of one of my glass slipper designs (it's in clay) and a panel in progress.

You can see more artist and crafter studios on Star of the East's blog here!!

and while I'm here I want to say "thank you!!" to everyone who has given me and my glass a mention on their blogs and websites over the last few weeks or so. The little mirrors seem to be particularly popular! They include Christy at Baltimore Sun , Nicole at Fun Fancy Free , Cafe Cartolina , Little Capucine , and Shabby Chic Furniture . Thank you so much!!

Life begins :)

Well I'm back from Ireland, and had my 'BIG' birthday last week which went really well except for my sister forgetting it - I'll get my own back when she hits her next milestone ;) It actually feels quite liberating - and in true 'mid-life' crisis fashion I've decided to make a few work changes :)

I'm going to officially work 'part-time' on my glass. "Not a drastic change in productivity" I hear you all muttering :P It's more psychological - I can create when I feel inspired and not stress/feel guilty when I need to do other things :)

I'm no longer accepting online custom orders. This will free up my glass time to work on my own projects :) And in all honesty....does anyone really enjoy this work? Be honest!! I keep reading on shop announcements "I love custom work" but then I keep hearing about the nightmares and the stress. This does not affecting offline orders, which can still be ordered directly from my atelier in France.

Finally, I'm closing some of my social networking pages such as Myspace, Indiepublic and others that I can't even remember at the minute!. I joined all these before I started blogging and now they are lying gathering dust and full of old, out-of-date news and photographs. Time to spring clean!