Skip to main content

Glass Cats & Willow Dragons: Helfa Gelf 2015 Kicks Off!

Me & Evie Dress Up (can't help ourselves)
Last weekend kicked off the 10th annual Helfa Gelf (Art Trail). Spanning five counties right across North Wales, this brilliant open studios event gives access to all manner of studios, creative spaces and interesting artists and makers. I'm happily taking part for the third time (as Laura Cameron, no.9 in the HG booklet) and Friday saw the set up at the 'Creu' studio in the pretty courtyard at Parc Glynllifon along with some of my fellow Helfa Gelf Glynllifon gang: Gareth Brindle Jones (painter, film maker), Sioned Hywel (textile artist), Richard Jones (photographer) and across the courtyard, the lovely Irene & Edith (potter/ceramics).  Anglesey Elvis (a creation of the very patient Gareth Brindle Jones) indulged my love of dressing up by allowing me to borrow his wig and sunglasses, until his head fell off and Evie (my rabbit headed lady) stole the glasses. That's the sort of thing that happens round here...

The Glassblobbery, Glanrafon
I took the rest of the weekend off in honour of my little brother traipsing all the way from Edinburgh to visit me. Together we merrily imposed ourselves on the hospitality of others in the name of Helfa Gelf. First stop was The Glassblobbery, a glass blowing / lampwork studio (open all year round) where we saw a fantastic demonstration of a glass cat cleverly emerging from two glass rods with an impressive amount of puns packed into the unhurried, fascinating explanation. Pleasingly, we could choose the animal to be made, which was a very nice touch. Now however, I can't help but think we should have been a bit more adventurous / tricksy in our choice. Hopefully the next person asked for a multi headed Hydra or the 18 armed Hindu goddess Durga, or similar.


John & Marilyn Davies
Next, we visited John and Marilyn Davies and their beautifully handcrafted wooden birds. Exquisitely life-like creatures, lovingly carved by John then decorated/painted by Marilyn, these were well worth a trip to Prestatyn to see. We received a warm welcome and were given an interesting tour around. We were suitably envious of the light, homely workshop and its lovely garden views.

Woodland Skills Centre, Bodfari
Then we hopped off to the nearby Woodland Skills Centre (The Warren, Bodfari). Part of a Social Enterprise, this is a delightful place tucked away in the countryside. We were warmly met and given a guided tour by the enthusiastic and well informed Helen. The centre runs an inspiring mix of craft, bushcraft and bee keeping courses. In the workshop, a group were busily beavering away learning to make big lathes and there were all manner of intriguing looking tools and equipment. In the more sedate, ecologically designed classroom building, a gorgeous selection of stools, chairs, baskets and willow dragon masks created an encouraging and cosy atmosphere. Little Brother gamely put on the dragon mask for a photo opp, it rather suits him. I now have aspirations to weave a willow boar or two and carve a three-legged stool that the Brothers Grimm would surely approve of.

Willow Dragon Mask, Woodland Skills Centre
Three weekends left, roll on the next one...!!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Joyfully Geeky Crochet- Creating a TARDIS

Creating a TARDIS (correctly using capitals now after previous admonishments by my pedantic husband) has, I can confidently declare, been my second favourite present make ever (only bested by a crocheted honeycomb frame made for my bee-keeping mother). It may indeed have a wibbly-wobbly roof (angle of the above picture is flattering!), cheerfully wandering letters on the 'police box' signs and a tendency towards a leaning base, but I am sadly very proud of my little blue box. Part of the pleasure definitely comes from anticipating the look on my brilliant Dr Who-loving friend's face as he opens the box it's travelled north in. Concerned about any misunderstanding, I've taped an 'it's not shoes!' note to the top so as to avoid even momentarily confusion when presented with a peppermint green Clarkes box. Once he fights his way through the swathes of bubble wrap (it was a big box), he'll be the wondrous owner of this mini delight. I'm thrille
Post a Comment
Read more

(Anatomical) Love Is In the Air!

Crochet Anatomical Hearts by Lost In The Wood February has been set aside for a much needed catch up with the paperwork (dull but essential), a move into my new cute little studio (exciting), finishing commissions (overdue) and an exhibition piece (satisfying). However, I was a very busy little bee in January, working on some new anatomical designs (which will be a key focus for my work this year). I've started with hearts, the most appropriate bodily organ for this time of year and one of the most interesting to crochet with all it's ventricles, veins and arteries. I'm not claiming these are anatomically correct (no student of biology/ physiology should look to these as learning aids or we're all done for) but they make a reasonable attempt. Intended as large wall pieces, hang them as statement art works or nestle a smaller one under a bell jar and let them be brazen about their well crafted weirdness! They have been hanging splendidly in the Lotti & W
Post a Comment
Read more

Medieval Medicine Trending- Leeches Are Sucking Back!

Poison & Crochet Leeches Jars Thought it was time for a more crochet centred post as I seem to have been distracted my lovely summer events and activities recently (I'm not sorry). This morning I was inspired by this story on BBC Wales www.bbc.co.uk/Medicinal leech farming making a comeback in Wales Istanbul Leeches Apparently,"leech-farming is back in Wales... the 60,000 leeches a year they provide for hospitals throughout Europe make Swansea's Biopharm the biggest suppliers of leeches in the UK." Long associated with quack medicine, they actually introduce a powerful anticoagulant chemical into blood making them "perfect for microsurgery, particularly when severed fingers or toes have been reattached".  So far, my only sighting of real leeches was an odd spin on the imagined old glass bottled leeches (previously available in all good old apothecaries). I spotted a large plastic drum (a recycled water cooler I suspected) of leeches for hi
1 comment
Read more