Wednesday, 7 March 2012

One Day Glass Workshops

This spring Flowerfield Arts Centre will host several one day workshops in glass making techniques.  It's an ideal way to try out a technique.


Contact Flowerfield to book:   telephone:  028 7083 1400 
                                                            email: info@flowerfield.org


Lampworking: Making Glass Beads

Dates: Saturday April 28th 
           Saturday May 26th 
Times: 10am-4pm


Tutor: Catherine Keenan

No experience is necessary, and students will be guided through the very basics how to turn on the torch, getting familiar with the tools and the workspace, as well as guidance on the health and safety implications. Students will then be shown how to make a round bead, and the tutor Catherine Keenan will explain some ways of applying pattern and experimenting with form to make your beads more unusual. 


Catherine will also supply some information on tools and equipment required to make your own beads, a list of suppliers for materials, and some useful websites for finding out more. These one day workshops have been very popular in the past, and since Catherine can only take five students on each workshop, we're offering two of these classes, one on April 21st and another on May 28th.  Students are reminded to bring a packed lunch, something to tie back your hair if it is long and some bottled drinking water. 
Maximum: 5 students
Cost:  £55 (includes materials)



Fusing with Float Glass


Date: Saturday 12th May 
Time: 10am -4pm 

Tutor: Natasha Duddy

We start the session with some brief but essential health and safety. This is followed by an explanation of the hand tools we will be using for the day. This is quickly followed by several demonstrations of the cutting techniques of flat glass. Then, students will be allowed to practice these methods individually. We'll then give you some basic theory on glass compatibility and then we'll experiment with inclusions within two layers of glass, for example different types of metal, woods, plastic etc and many other materials between the layers of plain glass. We will be able to show you previous examples at this stage. You will also be able to work with coloured, compatible pieces of glass and glass powders and frits, to help add colour to your experiments and designs. During the day, we will be on hand to give as much help as you need. We'll guide you through the principles of design, working with colour, texture and light. By the end of the day you will have made some small glass tiles, hanging pieces or jewellery ready for firing and normally available within a week. Later we'll fire your work in our kilns. This is lots of fun and often produces some quite unexpected results. Our studio facilities are excellent and our teaching environment is relaxed, friendly and informal.
Maximum: 10 students
Fee: £40 (includes a wide range of materials, use of your own set of tools for the day)


Intermediate Glass Fusing


Date: Saturday June 9

Time: 10am to 4pm


Tutor: Natasha Duddy
Have you already taken a Beginners Fused Glass Class and want to take your skill to the next level? Then you're ready for an Intermediate Fused Glass Class! In this class we will be working with Bullseye Glass. The Intermediate Fused Glass Class will cover advanced cutting techniques, including circles if required for your project, and slumping glass. There will be more hands-on time than the Beginners Fused Glass Class and one large project will be completed before lunch and one after lunch. Choose to create a bowl, plate, clock or wall art piece. We will guide you through our very easy step by step process of creating a fused glass panel, using your very own design or we can assist if you don't have one, so drawing skills are not essential. You will use glass, copper inclusions, frits, confetti, stringers and oxides to name just a few to create your project. The first half of each session will be spent creating your exact design template, and selecting colours. Then you will choose your glass, cut it and assemble it ready to fuse. You will have already decided if you are using a mould to slump your final piece and this will determine the size of your work. If preferred, you will also be shown how to make a relief mould to just add surface texture and pattern to your flat pieces of work, using ceramic fibre paper. We will give advice on hanging your work and will gladly offer fixings information. We will also give advice on cold working techniques that can be added at a later date to enhance your piece even more, such as cutting into your design, drilling or sandblasting.
Maximum 10 students
Fee: £45 (includes a wide range of materials and use of your own set of tools for the day)


Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Flowerfield Artist Profile: Adam Frew

Potter Adam Frew has been resident artist at Flowerfield since beginning Craft NI's 'Making It' scheme in autumn 2006.  During his time here his work has gone from strength to strength.  From developing a strong range of functional ware that has changed dramatically since the early days:

 2007


To winning the Award for Excellence at the British Craft Trade Fair in 2011.


"Being at Flowerfield has been vital for me.  The launching of Making It 06 was energetic as soon as I had clay to throw I was making pots!!  Both Flowerfield and Craft N I continued supporting and promoting  me enthusiastically for the duration of the two years. Magazine articles and media footage has allowed showcasing of the work not only to the local community but also to the wider international audience as well.
Malcolm Murchinson, my mentor and the director of Flowerfield supported me with every venture from the building of experimental kilns on site to offering down to earth advice and support when it was needed.

The programme ended with my first solo show in the amazing gallery space.  I was a perfect way to round off the two years and launch myself as an independent business."
Flowerfield Solo Exhibition, 2008


Film: Adam making a large pot in two parts

To see Adam's most up to date work have a look at his website: www.adamfrew.com


Adam regularly teaches classes at the centre.  For more info please check: www.flowerfield.org

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Catherine Keenan: new artist in residence

Glass Artist Catherine Keenan has begun a 2 year residency at Flowerfield through Craft NI's 'Making It' scheme.  Other artists to join Flowerfield through the scheme have been Adam Frew, pottery and Pia Raeymaekers, glass.
Catherine Keenan graduated from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin with a BDes in Craft Design:Glass in 2006. She then went on to study at the International Glass Centre, West Midlands, specialising in glass blowing and cold decoration and carving.


“I seek to generate positive emotions with my work, to give solace and uplift. Colour and pattern are so attractive to me as they have a direct way of creating an instinctual response.

Glass blowing is such an immediate process, it requires great dexterity and swift, confident gestures to create sublime forms. For me, a major draw to the medium is the great breadth of different techniques, the high level of skill needed to refine these techniques and the seemingly endless possibility for new creations.”


Her blown glass work ranges from sculptural objects and functional vessels to installations comprised of blown glass components.  She also makes a range of lampwork jewellery, and will be regularly taking bead making classes at the centre.


Film of Catherine blowing glass

www.catherinekeenanglass.com


Monday, 19 December 2011

'A Felted Christmas' Workshop

Felt making Class with Nicola Farrell


On Saturday, 17th December, Flowerfield Arts Centre hosted a felt making workshop led my Nicola Farrell.  The participants were introduced to the craft of felting by making their own unique decorations. With just water, soap, wool and some elbow grease they made flat decorations, baubles and finally the 'enclosed resist' technique to make a seamless stocking!


To see some of Nicola's own creations check out her blog:www.nicolafarrell.blogspot.com/







Monday, 12 December 2011

Saturday 17th Dec, Open all day for shopping!!


This Saturday, 17th December Flowerfield Arts Centre will be open from 11am -4pm, giving you the chance to buy some lovely little stocking fillers or a unique piece to be loved for a life-time.

The exhibition will continue until 22nd December.  For more opening times please call Flowerfield on: 028 7083 1400

Adam Frew Ceramic Lidded Jars

Alison Fitzgerald Woven Willow Baskets

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Crafts enjoyed by lots of happy shoppers

Our festive open day, last Saturday 3rd Dec, was a huge success.  There was a constant flow of visitors all day and the till didn't stop ringing!!

There was mulled wine and minced pies aplenty while the public browsed the high quality and very affordable range of crafts.  The craft demonstrations proved particularly popular, with Adam Frew creating 2 large pots in coloured clays and Catherine Keenan bringing an element of pyrotechnics in the form of her bead making!!

The stocks have been replenished and the crafts will continue to be for sale until the 22nd December, Monday-Saturday, please call Flowerfield Arts Centre on 02870831400 for specific opening times.



Potter Adam Frew putting the finishing touches to his demo pot.

Catherine Keenan lampworking a bead.

Friday, 2 December 2011

Exhibition set up and ready for viewing

A Christmas Craft Showcase

A wide variety of craft items by some of N.Ireland's top makers.
Pop in to Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart to purchase a special gift.
On until 22nd December.

Blown glass vases by Scott Benefield

John Piekaar's wooden bangles and box

Silver and fresh water pearl necklace by Lotus deWit

'Basalt', Framed ceramic wall piece by Rachael Mather

Adam Frew Ceramics

Willow baskets by Alison Fitzgerald

Porcelain napkin rings by Gail Mahon

Jewellery and framed pieces by Lesley Frew

Ceramic teapot by John McKeag

Catherine Keenan Glass jewellery

Felted decorations and purses by Nicola Farrell

Matt Pothecary glass jewellery