Well this is it, if somewhat overdue, my final blog. 

I confess to having a bit of down time after opening my studio in May.

It was lovely talking about my work; or chatting over a cuppa in the garden.

Although I do own up to being a bit of an anorak when it comes to talking glass, to the extent of even showing off the lovely pristine sheets that I have yet to decide what to do with.

So, packing away my glass for safe-keeping left me feeling a bit deflated.

My shelves have resumed their more practical use as home to selections of glass waiting to be turned into something new.

I will, however, keep the fairy lights I strung about to help show off my work, just because I like them.

Who knows, maybe I will add a few more homely touches as I go, it’s just a pity I don’t have room for a nice comfy chair!

After all the rain, I spent time catching up with some much- needed gardening, getting the last of the veg planted out.

I don’t mind the rain so much.

While the blanket of dull grey sky and watching drops running down windowpanes can be a bit disheartening, I find the patterns of concentric circles forming and flowing as raindrops land in puddles quite inspiring.

One day I’ll do something about it.

For now, I’ll stay my hand for fear that nobody wants to be reminded of bad weather, or maybe, it would be good to remember the refreshing, life-giving properties of rain if we get a long, dry spell…. 

Anyway, I finally prised open the now very creaky workshop door once more and turned my attention to summery things.

I have been experimenting with fusing again, sifting powdered glass into stencilled shapes, adding touches of colour here and there to form a base.

Into the kiln they went, to be fused together and then once more to fuse to onto clear glass.

Out came the paints again, to add a layer of detail, then into the kiln for the third and final time, emerging pristine and glorious as tortoiseshell and painted lady butterflies. 

I am out of the doldrums and am on my way again. 

As a member of Made in Mortimer, I will be taking part in their walking market planned for 10th July, weather and Covid regulations permitting.

I’ve never set up stall before so am approaching it with a yo-yo-like mixture of anticipation and anxiety!

I also plan to take part in Open Studios again in September which coincides with the Insight exhibition at The Base, Greenham, where I hope to exhibit my Moorland Moonrise piece featuring horses on Bodmin Moor. 

In ending, I would like to thank you for reading my blog, I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it.

Also, my thanks go to those who came to see my Studio in May.  Lastly but be no means least, a huge thank you to Jan and Paul for giving me the opportunity to waffle on about glass in my Paul Presents interview, and as if that wasn’t enough, to waffle some more in a blog!

Thank you.