We had a good show at the NGF;  saw lots of friends.  And despite the rumours, we are still in a very progressive making and designing mode as some of the new work shows.  Last week we made some bowls and vases using some old filigree/latticinio incalmo cups that date back to 1999-2000.  These worked really well and we received positive feedback on the new smaller “patch” apples and pears and the new weaver apples and pears.

A few of the conversations we had at the NGF all led to my teaching and starting masterclasses in cane working techniques, something that Sue and I had talked about when we were in the USA towards the end of April.  Perhaps in the future even set up a school of glass making with the emphasis on “hands on” repetitive training to give good foundations. We certainly know a great number of artists in the US who would willingly give master classes.

To explain the difference between a master class and a make your own:  a master class is where artists show other artists/students how “they” work, then the students practice to learn the technical aspect of certain disciplines within the glass world, and a make your own programme is when anyone can pay to make something and is helped by the artist to achieve this goal.