United Glass Charlton

We are reproducing below this fabulous picture of the United Glass factory in Charlton.
The owners are keen to know more about the picture - the artist, the scene, anything

Client Wedding Photos; luv these!

OMG; I love seeing my crazy creations in the wedding pics :)  I ship metal bouquets & accessories all over the world, & usually never hear anything after they leave my workshop; it's so nice when brides share the pics with me after the wedding :)

Looks like it was a fun day :)  I created the bridal bouquet with purple crystal accents & pearls, along with pomanders for the bridesmaids :)

Thanks so much for sharing, Lonna.  And congrats on your big day :)

Amber

Another proposal for public art :)

Yesterday I turned in a proposal for new public art in Meridian :)  

Truth be told: I was racing to City Hall at the last minute; with paint on my hands & dirt on my face--yikes--just barely made it in time!  And being rushed; there are a few details that I didn't have time to address; not overly happy with myself about that, but it's in & done & can't worry about it now.  I vowed yesterday to not procrastinate on the next one: we'll see how that goes, lol ;)

Anyway;

the proposal is for 2 big sculptures along Meridian's main street; one near the railroad crossing & City Hall & one at the corner of Main & Fairview.  Both will be in the triangle area made by a merging turn lane.

This one; called "Curve" is the larger of the 2; larger triangle & also will have pedestrian access.  It's all about circles & patterns; recycling, traffic patterns, community, etc. Materials will be raw steel, polished stainless steel, copper, & brushed aluminum for the structural pipes that surround each shape.  About 18 feet tall in the center; I am proposing to have the sidewalk pass under the middle of the piece :)  Also, I proposed to add a strip of solar film to the surface of the middle piece; to power batteries that would illuminate the piece at night: colored lights that would shine on the polished stainless; changing colors from blue to pink, purple, green, etc---a different look every time you drive by :)

The companion piece is called "Shift"; representing change--in direction, consciousness, action, etc.

The triangle area is smaller for this one & there is no pedestrian access; so it would just be viewed by passing cars.  Same shapes & materials put together in a different way: & this one would have the solar & lights as well.

I'm really crossing my fingers on this one; I'm up against 2 other artist proposals: we will find out who wins the project in mid-November.

Even though I think my proposal could have been a lot better; overall the presentation is nice & the ideas for the artwork are good (as I see it ;)  So, we'll see what happens.

All three proposals will be on display next week in City Hall: stop in to vote for you favorite & give your comments on the designs.

Amber

Open Studio Tour

Thanks so  much to everyone who stopped in for Open Studios Weekend; I had a great time chatting about the creative process, projects, new work, chickens, & the shop/apartment make-over :)

It was so fun to tour everyone around my little world :)

Honestly; I was a bit nervous about what everyone would think: I live in my shop, have tons of junk & metal laying about for future projects, a few trucks, grandpa's old cars, chickens & ducks running a-muck, & lots of un-finished projects here & there...

But, everyone seemed to like the place, junk & critters & all :)

I did get quite a few inquiries about metal-working lessons; it's kind-of amazing to me, really: I never thought I would consider lessons, but everyone who has asked has been so nice & I think it could be really fun :)

Sooo, I am putting together some options: for those interested---if you are; please contact me directly by email or txt (my cell service is terrible out here)  I am thinking of one-on-one, low key, hands-on projects.  

I'll post more later when I have things a bit more clear :)

 Anyway: I had a great time with Open Studio weekend; & will definately be on the tour next year.  If you want to come see the space--just message me or txt & we can set up a time :)

Off to McCall tomorrow to deliver some new pieces to the ArtiZen Gallery---looking forward to the pretty fall colors...& we might even stop in at Gold-Fork Hot Springs on the way ;)

Loving the fall weather & color! It's my absolute favorite time of year----and my b-day is coming up--I'm seeing an annual clothes shopping trip in my near future: a ritual with my mom: her birthday is 7 days after mine & the shopping trip has become our tradition :)  I need some new boots, & girly skirts, & carharts, lol ;)

Happy Autumn!  Thanks again to everyone who came out to the studio this weekend :)

Amber

then three came along at once

Three newsletters through my door ...

GLIAS October.  Newsletter
(Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society)
This edition is remarkably, in fact, totally bereft of any mention of Greenwich and Woolwich.
This is not good.

Woolwich Antiquarians October Newsletter
Although, of course, this has lots about Woolwich in it - there is little which could be described as industrial.   Pity about that too.

Lewisham Local History Society Autumn Newsletter
Strictly speaking of course we should only note items which are about the bit of Lewisham which used to be Greenwich - however, it does include an account of one of our members, Tom Sheppard, who has sadly died and to whom a memorial 'happy occasion' was held in September. 

Greenwich Industrial History Society - next meeting.
Tuesday 16th October    at The Old Bakehouse, Bennett Park, SE3 (rear of Age Exchange shop)

at 7.30

is PETER KENT - local artist and commentator - with his Riverwatch. 

and  - to go with this - we have also had news of  -

UNLOCKING THE HERITAGE OF GREENWICH RIVERSIDE with Thames Trail

 an  interactive photo walk and phone app

The Viewfinder Photography Gallery announces that they are creating the  Thames Trail that will encourage the local community and visitors to  explore the industrial, shipbuilding and trading heritage of Greenwich, from its 19th century heyday to the present.
Work has already started –  the photo walk will launch in June 2013, available online until at least  2018. It is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
It will begin at  the Cutty Sark and follow the riverside path past the O2 Arena to the  Thames Barriers. Many wharves, jetties and other signs of the  industrial past remain, often unknown and unnoticed, yet they tell an  important story about the river and Greenwich itself.
Archive material   from Greenwich Heritage Centre, including paintings, photographs, maps  and industrial documents, as well as specially commissioned interviews  with local historians and residents, will enable participants to  imagine what the area was once like, to see how it has changed and how  it continues to evolve.
The Trail will document the evolving nature of  the riverside. Regeneration and development are rapidly changing  Greenwich's waterfront and shifting it from an industrial to  residential and commercial area. Whilst on the photo walk, participants  will be encouraged to take their own photographs of the riverscape as  it is today – these photos will be published on the Viewfinder’s  website.
There will be many opportunities for members of the public to  volunteer (lunch and travel expenses provided), gaining new hands-on  research skills and experiences.
Louise Downham, the Viewfinder  Photography Gallery’s Chair (louise@viewfinder.org.uk), says: “We are  keen to hear from anyone interested – please do get in touch to discuss  how you might be involved in developing this exciting project.”  Opportunities in October 2012 include testing the photowalk route,  contributing to interviews (either as interviewer or interviewee) with  local residents and historians, learning to use research archives or  conducting independent research, selecting archive material for use in  the Thames Trail app and contributing to the Thames Trail blog. In February and March 2013, volunteers will test the accompanying app and assist in promoting the project.

Open Studios Tour; this weekend!!

Stop by my little studio this weekend; Saturday or Sunday, for a tour of the shop, apartment, & a peek into my creative world :)  I'll be serving snacks & drinks as well as offering quick demo's.

See the insert in the Boise weekly for a map of all the artist studios: I'm #5--a bit out of the way, but the chickens running about make it worth the extra drive ;)

Hope to see you then!!

Amber

PS: for those interested in upcycled home decor; the Fancy Farmgirls sale is also on Saturday & right up the road from me :)

Saucy...

Things got a bit saucy this afternoon...

Yep, that's right...I canned pasta sauce.

On an open fire...

Hardcore saucing....

 Truth be told; I have no stove in my little apartment...really, it's not usually a problem at all-I don't even miss it, but getting a big pot of water to boil on a hot-plate takes FOREVER, so I decided to do it the old-fashion way :)  I picked up a couple boxes of fresh 'maters' out in Fruitland earlier this week on a little adventure: just for making fresh pasta sauce...

 It was kinda fun, really---I had a bunch of junk wood to burn anyway, & while the water was boiling I cleaned up the back patio, fed the chickens, gathered eggs, did some weeding, & did some laundry...

My laundry situation is a bit weird too (you make things work when you live in a tiny space)

This is my laundry room/greenhouse :)  The washer is actually in the shop, & I have a dryer (hand-me-down) but it's not wired in  yet, sooooo the clean clothes hang dry in the greenhouse.  It's perfect--protected from the wind/dust: makes hanging the laundry out pretty darn pleasant...

 Living in a small, unconventional space has its challenges, but I love it!  I can't even imagine going back to a "real" house now :)  Everything I need is here, & the unnecessary gets a new home immediately: it's very simple & easy.   For those who don't know: I live in a tiny apartment that is part of the little workshop where I create: I rescued the whole thing from decay & gave it a new life---a tiny European inspired apartment space & lots of work space for the metal working, along with gardens & lots of room for trucks, junk, & chickens, lol :)

You can come visit & check out the whole set-up next weekend during the Open Studio tour; I'll have the shop & apartment open for tours both Saturday & Sunday; look for the BOSCO sign out on the road :)

I'll be doing quick demos & will have treats & drinks to offer; would love to show you around--so stop by if you are out & about; check out the BOSCO map in the Boise Weekly:  I'm  #5.

Hope to see you next week!

Amber