Welcome 2023

​Happy New Year!
Well I wished for a successful Christmas season in my last post and it definitely did not disappoint.  I had a number of very successful outings.  All Saints in November, a talk and sale with a local Seniors Group, the Fisher Park Christmas Market in December and finally the Loretta Gallery Show and Sale.  I also generated a lot of sales from my Instagram and Facebook posts which is always nice.  I can't tell you how appreciative I am for all the local support I get.  Ottawa rocks when it comes to supporting local makers.
I had the privilege of reconstructing a beautiful necklace for a client.  This was a cherished piece that belonged to her Mother and was bought in Murano. Sadly it broke and some pieces were lost.  With the help of a photo I managed to recreate the necklace much to her delight.
Sharing my passion with a group of local Seniors was a real highlight for me.  There is nothing I love more than talking about glass and helping people truly understand what it is that I do.  They were such a great audience, totally engaged and had lots of fantastic questions.  This was a first for me and I hope to be able to do it again.
Another first for me this year was completing my first cat portrait.  This was a real challenge and certainly tested my confidence but overall I was super happy with how it turned out.

Murano Necklace Repair

Presentation for the Seniors Group

Set up for the All Saints Craft Fair

Juno - my first cat portrait

So, after a busy and very successful Christmas season it's now on to a new year.  I've been preparing for a baby shower for our new grandson who is due to arrive at the end of April.  I learned how to make borosilicate hearts and made 24 little hearts with a blue center that can be hung in a window.  I love them and we're giving each guest one at the shower as a thank-you gift.  For now they're a bit of a secret but I'll try and post a photo of one soon.  
We are also getting ready to head out for a winter getaway so I'll be taking a break from the torch for a little bit but plan to take my watercolours with me and painting will be on the agenda for the next little bit.  However, as is my custom, each new year I clean my bench and get it ready for another year of creativity so I'll definitely be counting down the time until I can get back on the torch and play with glass.

That's me!! Saying "See you soon!"