Welcome back good shoe fans and, what's this, not a shoe in sight on this post? Well, in anticipation of the fabulous Make More Festival starting next Thursday, - when you can join us to saddle stitch, watch shoe making or bring your shoes for a good polish alongside a host of other craftspeople - I thought that it would be fun to have a go at a new craft myself.
On a rare rainy day on our recent Norfolk holiday, my friend Nicola pointed out that there was a glass blower's near our holiday cottage. We couldn't resist the temptation! So off we went in convoy to Langham Glass...and what a wonderful experience it proved to be.
From what I have read, the workshop was set up as a tourist experience, with a cafe and very well stocked glass shop adjoining. What a fantastic way of showcasing a craft! The demonstration was pitched just right, with plenty of information, humour, action and 'Madonna' headset's so we didn't miss a word.
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Whilst one of the glass makers skilfully produced cure animals and goldfish for the audience the others helped us to create our own glass article from a tea light holder to a vase or whiskey glass. I chose a simple Christmas bauble.
First the molten glass is dipped in coloured glass - you can choose one colour or a mix of colours.
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The glass is rolled and heated some more and then a small bit of air is gently blown into it, to 'get it started'. Then it was our turn.
The hollow rod holding the molten glass was supported on a metal frame and we were instructed to blow gently through the opposite end, as the glass maker gently rolled the rod.. Gradually wonderful things began to happen and the glass inflated...
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| The specialist tools for shaping and squeezing the molten glass |
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| Here the glass maker is squeezing the neck of the bauble with tongs so that the bauble can be carefully knocked off the rod |
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| Then he sits it on what looks like a nest of string (presumably heatproof) and adds a blob of clear glass at the top over the hole from the rod |
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| Then he carefully shapes the glass into a simple loop |
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And here's my finished bauble |
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| And the family's beautiful creations |
The end product is really great quality, especially the whiskey glass. Maybe I'll try one of those on the next trip?
In between our own shoe polishing and saddle stitch workshops and shoe making demos I'm determined to try some other new crafts at Make More next week. But which to do? I rather fancy the following:
Print making with East London Printmakers
Candle Making with The London Refinery
Paper Marbling with Paperwilds
Bowl Making with Goldfinger Factory
Spoon Carving with Barn the Spoon
Hmmm, might need to whittle down that little lot....until next week, when we'll be live at MakeMore have a great week and happy shoe making!
FLASH SALE
Buy a ticket to our Key Fob class and you'll get your Make More Festival ticket for half price! Copy this link into your browser and you're off: bit.ly/2MVh8EB
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