A cheerful look brings joy to the heart!

Nearly done!



What shall we put where?

I'm enjoying a nice relaxing birthday today (age?...irrelevant!) following Driftwood and Debris' first workshop of 2012 yesterday.  I was initially rather nervous since the group I was 'guiding' were people a generation or two above me.  Kids, I can handle, but my experience with this age group is somewhat limited.  I took a deep breath and strode in all smiles and mock-confidence.  I don't know what I was worried about, the participants were really lovely and soon completely enthralled with the process of creating their own unique driftwood and shell mirrors.  The mood was relaxed and friendly and it was lovely to see the smiles and twinkling eyes as people sat back and admired their creations.  I think I'm going to enjoy these workshops as much as those taking part  - it's a real pleasure seeing the delight and fascination in the eyes of those taking part (heartwarming, you might say) and then a cheery 'thank you!' at the end makes for a very satisfying afternoon.  

 

Can I have a Doggy-Bag Please?

You don't always need to go to the beach to pick up some lovely shells!  Last night I was treated to my favourite meal as a precursor to my up-coming birthday.  You probably wont be surprised to learn that it is Fruits de Mer!  My mouth is watering at the thought of all the lovely seafood; lobster, prawns (big and small), mussels, cockles, crab, oysters and the most delightful and delicious scallops, homemade pumpkin-seed bread and fresh green salad.  The meal was topped off with a lovely Sancerre and the stimulating company of my husband.  I didn't want the evening to end.  As a memento I asked the waitress to save the shells from the meal in a doggy-bag, which she duly did, so that I could take them home and use them for my driftwood creations.  So, in the cold light of day, I have scrubbed and cleaned up the rather fishy-smelling shells and am pleased as punch with the results.  The oyster shells are simply beautiful - subtle lilac hues,with cream, white and grey tones mixed in with pinks and blues (I hope my photo conveys the gorgeousness and texture that make these beauties).  The scallop shells are great showy pieces and the cockle shells patterned with rich yellows and browns, while the mussels are characteristically whale blue in colour on the outside but a translucent white inside.  With less than 24 hours until my first workshop of 2012 I am well and truly fired up and raring to go - here's hoping it all goes swimmingly!

Oyster shell close up



Marvellous Mussel shell



Scallop and Oyster on enamelled tin plate



Tick Tock, Tick Tock!

Yes, the clock is ticking.  It is just seven days until my first workshop of 2012 and I have been busy making lists and then re-making lists so that nothing is missed and the workshops run nice and smoothly.  I have designed a simple label for the back of the mirror frame and even pre-drilled the screw holes so the D-ring is nice and easy to fit once the mirror is completed.  This meant I got to enter the sanctity of my husband's tool shed and was let loose on the drill.  I am pleased to say it was a breeze and I have survived injury free!

It's Hip to be Square!

My box sample has arrived and it's perfect for the job.  I needed a sturdy, lightweight receptacle in which to place clients' mirrors they create during the workshop, in order that they can take them home without risk of damage before the glue has set.  The boxes aren't cheap but I think they're worth it - making the experience of taking your creation home a touch more special, since you get to 'unpack' it in front of your loved ones and enjoy the look on their faces when they see how clever and creative you've been!  The box is a simple design, square and deep enough to accommodate the driftwood and shells that adorn the mirror.  Since the mirrors and frames for the workshops are also square the shape for today is...square!

Tempus Fugit

I cannot believe we are already into week two of 2012!  Last week is all a bit of a blur what with school starting back, packed lunches to be made, name tags to be sewn in, children to be rallied.  I'm glad it was only a 3 day week.  This week I already feel a lot more organised.  My driftwood is slowly drying out in the living room and I have just begun marketing my workshops once more.  I'm staying local for the time being but hope to stretch further afield once I am well and truly underway.  I've managed to secure a reliable mirror supplier (local so as to avoid postal costs) who will cut the mirrors to my specifications.  My next task is to get the base frames cut to size and then begin my own little assembly line securing the mirrors to the base in readiness for the workshops which begin at the end of the month!

These boots were made for 'beach-combing'

To be or KNOT to be?



Sunburst - shells, glass, knotted rope & wood



I am delighted to have seen in the New Year and hope you are too, in spite of the frightful weather, and am looking forward to an exciting 2012.  Driftwood and Debris is now in full swing and, as well as running workshops, I am creating a range of products to sell on-line and through fetes, fayres and festivals.  Yes, festivals, I know, me, festivals - where I plan to run some mini-workshops (but more on that another time).  What started out as an attempt to raise some cash, to help see the family through Christmas, has now evolved into my own small Eco-friendly business.  I get to go beach-combing (literally collecting driftwood and debris), make lovely and unique things, help others make lovely and unique things, meet interesting and fascinating people, and be my own boss!  On my latest foray to the beach I collected a few old bits of rope, some loose, some knotted, and one lovely piece attached to a stake of some sort (will post a picture once it's all cleaned up).  The rope is none too pretty in it's drenched state but I have used it before and it's a very effective and evocative material, lending a certain 'aura of the sailor and his plight' to my work, to think the rope has slipped through a fisherman's gnarled and weathered fingers, tied a boat to it's mooring, and so much more - well that's what I think anyway (purely subjective I know, but then it is MY blog!).



Get Knotted!  Close-up on a piece of old rope