Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Originality Gallery winter exhibition
The Originality Gallery winter exhibition opens next Thursday, with a drinks preview in the evening. If you would like to attend the preview please get in touch for further details, otherwise drop in over the weekend to see new jewellery and textile designs. Visit the website here for more details about the Originality Gallery.
Exhibition in Halifax
My work will be featured in the Christmas Crafts exhibition from 14 November - 10 January which is spread over the Bankfeild Museum, and Halifax Visitor Centre and Art Gallery in the Peice Hall. For more info please visit http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/leisure/museums-galleries/bankfield-museum/index.html#subcontent
Monday, August 3, 2009
New home for shiny glass
Its been a while since I posted anything as I have moved to Totterdown in Bristol. I have less space to work in, but I get a wonderful veiw from my workbench. I have been spending some time experimenting and being a bit more creative with my glass work, so there should be some exciting new designs soon.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Shiny Glass website and online shop
I have now updated my website to reflect my focus on dichroic glass jewellery. I am still making silver jewellery for existing customers, so please contact me for availability.
Monday, April 27, 2009
About Dichroic Glass
NASA originally developed dichroic glass for use in satellite optics and visors. The glass I use is manufactured especially for kiln work, and has a very thin layer of metal oxides on one surface, which give the glass special optical properties.
Dichroic means two colours; it has a transmitted colour and a completely different reflected colour, as certain wavelengths of light either pass through or are reflected. This causes an array of colour to be displayed. The colours shift depending on the angle of view. This makes the glass extremely beautiful when worn, as when you move, the colours shift. Glass is notoriously difficult to photograph, and dichroic glass even more so.
I engrave by hand into the dichroic surface of the glass to form an image or pattern. Sheets of glass with patterns laser etched are available to buy, but as these are machine made, they are identical. I prefer to use my own unique designs so that my customers know they will own a one off piece of art glass.
I then fuse this piece of glass with its engraved dichroic layer together with other glass pieces to make a pendant. I usually layer a clear piece of glass over the dichroic glass to seal in the design and give the pendant extra depth.
Dichroic means two colours; it has a transmitted colour and a completely different reflected colour, as certain wavelengths of light either pass through or are reflected. This causes an array of colour to be displayed. The colours shift depending on the angle of view. This makes the glass extremely beautiful when worn, as when you move, the colours shift. Glass is notoriously difficult to photograph, and dichroic glass even more so.
I engrave by hand into the dichroic surface of the glass to form an image or pattern. Sheets of glass with patterns laser etched are available to buy, but as these are machine made, they are identical. I prefer to use my own unique designs so that my customers know they will own a one off piece of art glass.
I then fuse this piece of glass with its engraved dichroic layer together with other glass pieces to make a pendant. I usually layer a clear piece of glass over the dichroic glass to seal in the design and give the pendant extra depth.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
British Craft Trade Fair
I was lucky enough to be selected to exhibit at the BCTF this year alongside the best designer makers from around the country. I chose to share a stand with Jane Marsh of the Originality gallery in York, who are my main stockist in the North of England.
It was good to have the opportunity to meet so many gallery owners and buyers, and I was inspired by the enthusiasm shown by the people we spoke with.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Another new pendant
Another of my newer pendants from the batch I fused last week. This one has been engraved further after annealing.
New glass jewellery from the kiln
This os one of the dichroic pendants I have been working on recently. I plan to take this to the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate in a couple of weeks.
you can see this pendant in progress ready for the kiln in my previous post
you can see this pendant in progress ready for the kiln in my previous post
New pendant in Dichroic range
This pendant has a layer of blue dichroic glass inside, into which I engraved in an abstract leaf pattern. I was not happy with how the pendant came out of the kiln, so I added a further engraving to both the front and back. As the dichroic glass in the aqua is fairly subtle, the surface engraving works really well, and the design appears to be in three layers - of course this is difficult to show in a photo!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
kiln forming with frit
As well as finishing a few more glass pendants (pictures to follow) and preparing stock for the British Craft Trade Fair, I have found time to experiment with making some larger more sculptural pieces in the kiln. As I only have a small kiln they are not too big, the right size for paperweights or bookends. I love the way frit glass fuses to give me an object with depth and texture.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Today in my studio
I have been working on glass pendants this week as my stocks are low. The dichroic pendants are the most time consuming, as I engrave an original design into each piece of dichroic glass before fusing into a pendant.
The first picture shows all the bits of glass cut and engraved and cleaned ready to make 3 pendants, and the second is my kiln. The 3rd picture shows all the glass stacked up and ready for fusing. I can fit up to 12 pendants this size in the kiln if I need to.
The first picture shows all the bits of glass cut and engraved and cleaned ready to make 3 pendants, and the second is my kiln. The 3rd picture shows all the glass stacked up and ready for fusing. I can fit up to 12 pendants this size in the kiln if I need to.
I'll be taking these pendants to the British Craft Trade Fair next month in Harrogate (if they turn out ok). If you are also visiting please look me up on stand 321.
To see more pictures like these please visit my flickr portfolio.
To see more pictures like these please visit my flickr portfolio.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Making rings
Today I have been working on my new product - rings for the Twisted range. I have only made 2 today, but I should get a bit quicker once I'm used to making this design. I have had this idea for rings at the back of my head for a couple of years now, but it took a bit of work to get the design just right.
I made these with 0.3mm sterling silver wire and 3mm swarovski crystal beads. The wire is woven/braided to form a strong but f
lexible ring.
They are really pretty and sparkly, and once they're on the shape makes them hold onto your fingers so that the crystals are always pointing upwards. They're dramatic, but dont swamp your hands, and of course very light and comfortable to wear.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Jewellery by Zoe Marsh website
I have finally managed to start uploading the new website at zoemarsh.co.uk This replaces bristoljewellery.com, which now redirects automatically to the new site. At the moment I cant get any images to load, but I hope to get it completed over the next few weeks, so keep checking back!
Friday, February 20, 2009
New portfolio available on Flickr
Today I have been uploading some pictures of my jewellery to Flickr. There are some new pictures of my 'Twisted' range, which I have been working on lately. Go to www.flickr.com/photos/zoemarsh to see how it looks.
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