Monday 31 December 2012

Correction, Moscow art.

This by Oleg Tselkov, 1969, Smoker.


Also Saatchi

Dasha Shishkin, detail of large work.
Part of group show of Rusian artists.
Varied and very thoughtful, though I dont get a lot of it.


Hong Kong art

Saatchi gallery.
Ink on vellum. 1 of 4. Little drawing in the show  apart from this .


Friday 28 December 2012

Christmas

Granddaughter Alice driving poncy tea in the Ritz.


Wednesday 19 December 2012

New stuff in the works







These are tiny, 20mm diam.  They will be for cufflinks.  Happy Christmas all, and if you are reading this blog and are enjoying it, do us a favour and hit the Like button. I gather that is a good thing to do.

Monday 17 December 2012

Friday 14 December 2012

Who is this woman?

Laura and I met in San Francisco when she came to work for me as a p.a.  She is Canadian who is  married to Brett and the mother of 9 year old Henry. She lives in London now, happily for me, and is once again working with me.
Together we are trying to negotiate the internet and learn how best to use it. The prospect is formidable to me, but together maybe we can tackle it. The fact is publishing has changed so much that most, if not all, book business is marketed through the net, and we just need to do this.  So, social media like Twitter, Linked in etc all have to be done.
One thing is to keep the blog going on a regular basis.
I will post more pics of the cufflinks soon.

Thursday 13 December 2012

Monday 10 December 2012

New work

  

As well as working on the panel I have started to make some tiny, tiny discs for cufflinks (20mm. diam)  I need a jewellers' lens strapped scratchily to my head so I can see, but it does work!
They are going to be in white gold too, and have pendants to match.  I am working with Justin Richardson of Canterbury, www.justinrichardson.co.uk so the mounts will be of the best design and quality, and the glass will not fall out!
And once they are done we can get some decent photos done.







Friday 16 November 2012

Presentation

I still cannot figure out how to make this blog look good. Uploading pictures is fine, but how to control the layout so the pics are discrete, without text in the picture boxes is right now beyond me.
Doing it straight from the iphone is very easy, but the quality is rubbish.  Then suddenly the text is enormous, and BLUE?  What's that about?
Time to do all this....

see this

Ihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-4i2ZlqLsI

Thursday 15 November 2012

1st part of gilding done. Next will be the engraving.


Gilding

I am using moon gold for the ornament. Here the glass is half gilded. Once dry I will turn th glass over, or round, and gild the other half.


Wednesday 14 November 2012

Video link



I am exploring all the ways I can promote the book, video and ebook. 
It strikes me that while I am working on this latest project, using materials and methods that have served well and remained unchanged for some 500 years, as 
far as todays' communication possibilities are concerned, I am shifting into another dimension!
For example, I have today discovered that yesterdays post could have been done not only quicker but better if I had used my iphone. 
No, I am not correct. The pics were taken with a camera, and I edited them. And I typed at the computer and not on that tiny screen. But, anyway, I will in future use the phone more and see how it works, and looks. 
On another subject: I have reduced time in the studio as ( I am sure I have mentioned) we care for my parents (90's) and that means LOTS of cooking (and the rest). And I am really getting into it. Necessity has led to this new passion; I LOVE it. 
Maybe there will be pic of the latest dish next time!
More soon. 

Download: Gold Leaf, Paint & Glass

Download: Gold Leaf, Paint & Glass

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Back into the studio, at last




After a whole year of other work, my first project in the studio is to make a reflective or mirror-like panel that is to be hung on the wall behind this mantel clock (1). I was given some recycled window glass 48 x 23 in/117x 59 cm.  I could envision the side panel (2) of pierced brass as engraved gold, and I could simulate the background in a translucent pink.
 
1. Clock, front

2. Clock, side 
The first thing is to make the design fit the glass. By chopping off the bottom set of scrolls it fits well, and I go on to square it up so I can enlarge the design to life size. (3)
(By the way, it is proving a nightmare to organize the pics and text so I shall just carry on with the commentary and hope it is clear. I shall have to learn how to do this.)
3. Squaring up the design











But he design of the pierced brass is degraded, that is to say it has been copied over and over with the result that all the detail has broken down. I study the back of the clock (4) which is engraved steel but the style of ornament there is quite different! It is earlier, rococo, when it was fashionable to turn classic acanthus ornament into forms such as waves and clouds. The two styles are miles apart.

I will have to go back to basics so I have more information and better understanding of what I am doing. To do this, I turned to the source, Michelangelo Pergolesi, c. 1780's, (5) and now attempt to marry all 3 styles.

4. Detail, back of clock




5. Pergolesi

6. Charcoal, first drawing
I make a start with charcoal (6). Then I trace this and carry on till I had the whole thing is drawn up (7). I transfer to the glass and tweak the drawing. (8). I ran out of black, which explains the red.


Next to do, draw the other half, all on the front of the glass (using tracing paper),, turn over, clean thoroughly and gild!

Removing window putty, nasty job.

7. Drawn onto tracing paper


8. One half is drawn out

More in part Two. 


Friday 2 November 2012

Its been ages I know and if anybody has been missing these riveting bulletins, I must apologise.
Life is full, as for so many people, and though I do of course have stuff to say, you know, the fact is much of it can wait. None of it is that important, but here is a brief update.
First... see this review!


This is probably the most condensed (and refreshingly so), yet comprehensive book to date on gilded and painted glass. Concise and easy to read it mainly covers the most widely used cold process of gold and painted decoration on glass. Frances wastes no time in pointing out and clearing up the true meaning of the term Verre Eglomisé, now commonly used as a general title for any type of decoration applied to glass, but let’s not give too much away. This is all covered, including both cold and hot methods, in the opening paragraphs and under the Terminology section.
There are many old books from medieval manuscripts to un-translated documentation, so this book is very welcomed. There has been a long gap in the market for gilded glass, but now the art of glass decoration is enjoying such a revival, and with so many new and varied designs, this couldn’t really be better timed.
The book moves from techniques (ancient to modern day) to origins and the development of glass decoration throughout the world. Fabulous examples of historic and important pieces are illustrated, each with a brief description of techniques and materials used. Some of these examples show a real diversity in design and methods used.
The step by step approach for the entire gilding process is also explained and shown in great detail, covering initial design process for geometric and free hand patterns, the process of laying the leaf, engraving and colouring. Recipes, materials & tools, suppliers and useful references to websites make it easy for even a complete beginner or an amateur who has never laid a single leaf, but may wish to try their hand.

Even for the professional there is nothing comparable to this book. It is up to date, an excellent concise reference manual with a wealth of useful information, in essence it is a book that can teach even the most experienced restorer or gilder something new. Dominic Schuster for BAFRA  28.10.12

And these also came in:

….This book brings together the results of years of research by the author... time-tested arcane formulae have been thoroughly modernized; intricate order-sensitive processes are thoroughly explained. Anyone practicing today has to get many things 'right' if they expect their work to last really long-term: that is why this book is so very important.     William Gudenrath, Resident Advisor at The Studio of The Corning Museum of Glass, NY, USA
I enjoyed the book enormously, and thought it very clear, practical and informative.   Karen Lawrence, glass artist, London
I started reading your book and I think that it is great...  it contains amazing amounts of information and yet it doesn't beat about the bush.                                                        Nina Binnington, mirror specialist, Germany
...I have now read four times, ever more slowly and with increasing understanding of the variables. Your experience and comments about what can be laid on top of what have in particular been very handy indeed for working out some potential snags ....I do so agree about repeating basic instructions in each separate context - from the reader's point of view, this is a blessing. Not to have to dash back and forth to re-establish an idea from a previous chapter, keeping a thumb in the page, is genuinely sensible....Thank you for making me even more determined to crack on with one of my better design brainwaves...  One thing I would add - I find that I have put pencil marks all over the pages to remind me of small important details in the text. For me, that is clear proof that this is a book to learn from and work with, not just to gawp at. Raised NEVER to scribble in books (oh the shame!) I now find that I do scribble, but only in the genuinely useful workaday ones....Richard Byrne, UK
It's a work of gilded art! This book will encourage and teach students for years to comeDavid Smith, ornamental glass artist, UK
I want to say how much I am enjoying the book! Its such a fantastic resource and so inspiring - a real gift to the glass world. Lucy Batt, glass artist, UK.                                                                        
... after so much time, research and careful thought, it is truly an inspiration. I am very keen to explore this use of gold and colour in what I hope eventually will be my own personal expression...  Christopher Ainslie, glass engraver, UK
I just got the book in the post. It's lovely! Really well done, so easy to follow and beautifully illustrated. Lynne Rutter, decorative artist, San Francisco, USA.                                                                                                                
Such a handsome book, and so filled with fascinating photos and text. It is beautifully organized, and will provide many worthwhile hours for readers of all levels. Congratulations, and thank you from all of us in the gilding community. Ina and Allen Marx, conservators and decorative artists, USA

The sales of the DVDs are slower, but will continue to dribble on, I am sure. So far no news on a US distributor as I have had no time to hunt for one!


Finally I am slowly getting back into working in the studio. I have various projects to do and the prospect of drawing and gilding again after a year or more is exciting.  But work is frequently interrupted as caring for very frail parents (we live together, did I say?) takes priority and other family stuff can also happen. As you, dear reader, surely know. At least I am not working to deadline. Putting myself into that position would be stupid (as long as I can control it). I don't deal well with stress.

All the best, f   





Saturday 13 October 2012

admin is a headache

They arrived and the house is full of dvds and books and packing stuff and address lists and more lists.
I managed to send off a bunch of books to people who already had them....  but apart from that it is sort of settling down. It was frankly crazy trying to keep in order who had paid, ordered, received, not received, was waiting......  people have whole departments for that stuff! (and still make mistakes).
ANYWAY, all is good. The book is being very well receievd, and tough I have not sen any of the reviews I have asked for from various groups such as Society of Gilders, BAFRA (British Antique Restorers Assoc.), etc, I have been getting in positive responses.
Here they are:


I started reading your book and I think that it is great – it contains amazing amounts of information and yet it doesn’t beat about the bush. Well done, congratulations!
Nina Binnington, mirror specialist

… Have now read four times, ever more slowly and with increasing understanding of the variables.  Your experience and comments about what can be laid on top of what have in particular been very handy indeed for working out some potential snags ….I do so agree about repeating basic instructions in each separate context - from the reader's point of view, this is a blessing.  Not to have to dash back and forth to re-establish an idea from a previous chapter, keeping a thumb in the page, is genuinely sensible….Thank you for making me even more determined to crack on with … one of my better design brainwaves… 
One thing I would add - I find that I have put pencil marks all over the pages to remind me of small important details in the text.  For me, that is clear proof that this is a book to learn from and work with, not just to gawp at.  Raised NEVER to scribble in books (oh the shame!) I now find that I do scribble, but only in the genuinely useful workaday ones…. 
Richard Byrne


“It’s a work of gilded art!  This book will encourage and teach students for years to come.” David Smith, ornamental glass artist
  

…I want to say how much I am enjoying the book!  Its such a fantastic resource and so inspiring - a real gift to the glass world.” 
Lucy Batt, glass artist

“… after so much time, research and careful thought, it is truly an inspiration. I am very keen to explore this use of gold and colour in what I hope eventually will be my own personal expression”. 
Christopher Ainslie, glass engraver.


I just got the book in the post. It's lovely!  Really well done, so easy to follow and beautifully illustrated.
 Lynne Rutter, decorative artist, San Francisco

Such a handsome book, and so filled with fascinating photos and text.  It is beautifully
organized, and will provide many worthwhile hours for readers of all levels.   
Congratulations, and thank you from all of us in the gilding community.
Ina and Allen Marx, conservators and decorative artists

So there we are. More soon, f





Wednesday 26 September 2012

where is our dvd?

Apparently there was a glitch in its production and 'they' are ironing it out. With the different systems for USA and the rest of the world, it is a complex business and many things can go wrong. After all, it has to work properly!
But it is really frustrating to have clients cry, "where, pray, is my dvd?"
So, where are we up to? Once it is done and ready I can get them off, but also can announce the LAUNCH.
On the website now, www.gilding.net, is a page with a chance to buy:
the pdf, £10
the book, £19.99
the dvd, £15.55, or a combination!  There is a cute Google button to hit to actually BUY.

I have been around the place to sell the books, and the good news is Foyles is taking it, and the very good independent bookshop in South Kensington. I had not expected to get them in there, non specialist shops, but there you go. I have more confidence now and will try other outlets.
There has been no time to attend to the US market. I need a book distributor for that so that will take a while to organize.

Apart from the book life is full on with buying a property to let (I have been to landlord classes to learn how to do it properly!) and with looking after my aged parents in whose house we live and which we are slowly developing.

Work.... ah yes, some of it going on but I am not able to do much. However, these events are coming up, each of which I shall be giving an illustrated talk:

1st.  Conference on Hinterglasmalerei, Augsburg, Germany, Fri/Sat 5/6 October.
2nd.  Just Glass conference, Saturday, 20 October 2012, Venue: Brockway Room, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn, London WC1 4RL. Time: 10.30am-4.30pm.
3rd. Day long class at West Dean College, W. Sussex, Gift Day, November 13
2 day class, Lommel, Belgium, 24/25 October
5 day class West Dean, 15-22 Feb 2013.

More soon, f











Monday 17 September 2012

Getting the book into the world

I am getting a couple of rejections, which is interesting.
The V&A and the BM (British Museum) have declined it.... not very sure why, I have to read their emails more carefully. Anyone who has had rejection slips may be like me... a quick scan to see and to grasp the meaning, then put it away in a drawer, and get over it. Never mind the detail.
The dvd is on its way out (through the birthing canal and all that entails) and now I have to find out, somehow, who has paid and is due one. Some will have had a book already, and some books are waiting to be mailed along with the dvd.... but which and who?
Once the backlog is cleared I should be able to handle the orders as they come in.
I have been going around London on my motorbike (which my friend Bridget always insists is a moped.... but its not) delivering and hustling.
I dropped into Foyles (I had been told they were very good for writers) and found the buyer, and presented, and lo, she took 3. Reading the bumph she handed me it stated on NO account just drop in to see a buyer: MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.  Sorry.
So there are many more locations to try.... bookshops are on my list as I am encouraged by the South Kensington independent bookshop also taking 3 (sale or return). But I feel a bit wary of museums. I think they are put off by the How To section, but I really dont know.
And then I was sent the encyclopedia (a long list) of book distributors in the US , which I have to carefully sift.  That enormous market has to be tackled soon.   I had thought of organizing a trip to take in several locations, carrying the books.  But they are so heavy, it seems a bit daft. The finances can't possibly work out. How many would I have to sell to only break even? Forget it.
So today I work in the office to catch up with it all before the dvds actually arrive. Once that is due to happen I need friend Simon to help me with getting it all online, with the ebook, the PayPal button and all officially launched.
Cheerio, and do drop me a line if you want to join in with any ideas!  f

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Getting it out

It has been an extraordinary time.
Loads of orders for the books, so I take the payments and wait for the first batch to arrive. (Not exactly waiting, as if there isn't enough to do). Some pay with PayPal, (not as easy a system as I first thought) some with cheque, some want book only, some want the dvd too....  I am keeping a list, but once I realised I was billing some people twice I saw I was losing control.  I have go myself into some deep doodoo here, up to my neck.
With the help of my longtime associate we (she) made a spreadsheet and we had to enter EVERYBODY; paid or not; sent or not; dvd or not..... for a regular business this is normal, but not for me.
I have just returned from the Post Office where I sent off over 120 books in individual packs or in multiples, up to 40, all over.     I think the book is going to do quite well, and the dvd too, so now I am over the HUMP and can deal with orders as they come in.
Order for the next 200 lot has been placed.   It will settle down, but you can imagine it is a bit full on.
But the video is very jolly and I always smile when it plays. I hope it spreads quickly. (on You tube and on my first page of gilding.net)
Very best to all. f

Wednesday 22 August 2012

It's a boy!

This is it, we are finally here. Tomorrow comes the first delivery of the books.

(The title refers to the extraordinary similarity to that particular process. Since I moved into my parents house, end of last year, to care for them, I have not been in the studio... I have been working on the book. How long is that.... 9 months?)

So, you can imagine, great excitement. And they will be hot off the press to take to the Biennale tomorrow evening.

The video has been made, and the dvd is being wrapped up and will be ready for launch we estimate mid Sept.  There is a lot to getting a dvd made, I had no idea.  But the step by step process is really good and clear, with my poncy British voice over!

Once the 1 min You tube video is out I think people will be surprised. That has no voice over, just jolly tinky tonk music, very upbeat.

Now to get the products out into the world, and then to get back into the studio.  It will take getting used to, not sitting in front of a screen all day anymore.  But then I will be MAKING things and will have some NEW pictures for you, not the same old.

If you have been, as they say, thanks for reading.  And keep following, there is going to be all sorts of reaction I think, and maybe something interesting will happen, who knows.

Monday 13 August 2012

To the Printers!

Now I have just, last night, got back from a delicious 3 weeks away, I am wondering where everybody is .... are they still on their holidays?

I will just have to soldier on till they decide to get back to their desks.

Meanwhile, things have been happening: I have the proofs back!  This is where they charge you lots to make any changes, so heaven help you if you are not ready before you press SEND.
I did check the book very well before I sent it, but there was a glitch on the back cover that really bothered me. To sleep by 3am finally, after journey, Olympics finale that never ended and considerable worrying about glitch.

After lots of negotiations and calls to Patrick in Spain (holidays), we came to a resolution and the problem is fixed with very little blood spilt.

So, where are we up to?

We have the Glass Biennale happening in Stourbridge. 
It is an International Festival of Glass, www.ifg.org.uk and it runs from 24-27 August.  I will be exhibiting these 2 pieces of work there.  

Flat Fantasy, 70 x 85cm
Japanese Triptych Screen, 180 x 138 cm wide

I think the book will be ready for then, I am certainly crossing everything. The organizers are giving me an opportunity to talk about it and to sell them at the show.

Then the next thing is the annual 2-day conference of reverse glass painting, 7. Tagung zur Hintrglaskunst, in the Maximilian Museum, Augsburg, Germany, 5/6 October. I will give a short talk there and hopefully sell some more books.

Following that is the Just Glass conference: 20 October, in Red Lion Square. www.just-glass.co.uk. I shall be one of 4 people giving a talk on the subject of surface decoration.

As all this happens I shall be invoicing, packing and sending out books like crazy. I have some reviewers lined up, mostly in the UK but once the bulk of the books have been sent I will look to the US to find more outlets for it.

And of course there is the rest: the dvd, the video and the e-book version.  These are being prepared and a date will be set to launch the lot on the internet. There may be a bit of a flurry after that.... lets hope so.

All best to my readers....  f












Wednesday 13 June 2012

next update

This is quite a journey, the whole self publishing thing, and trying to keep a handle on it all.
I imagine if you are lucky enough to have a publisher for your book, all you have to do it write the thing, then hand it over.
They do the pricing, pay you your fee (never mind if it is a best seller), edit it, set it up, proof it, index it, get it printed, get it reviewed, throw a launch maybe AND get it distributed. Internationally, too. Then they take the money, market it, distribute it, get it reprinted if necessary and finally send it to the 'Remainder' shelves.
I am doing all of that.  So, you ask, where are we up to?
The book producer, Patrick, who I mentioned earlier,  set the whole thing up and sent me the entire manuscript to proofread. I printed it all out, marked up each page with funny little symbols that indicate, cut; add; move; indent etc. and stet, which means kindly ignore my scribbling - as you were.
Then he has it back, via post, and does all the corrections, (this is where we are up to, since you ask) sends it back, electronically, for me to approve.  I approve, hopefully electronically this time, and he does final corrections.
Then we move to next and final (?) stage before PRINTING. It goes out to two professionals, an Indexer for the very important indexing (really important this is good: who wants to look up 'eglomise' and find it not there?) and to the proof reader, who is outside the process and has a fresh eye.
Once this is done, the final bits are added, like a pic of me, my bio, Acknowledgments (thank you ALL) and short bios of the contributors.
THEN, chaps, we get it printed. No going back now.
Someone tells me how to establish the publication date, as I need to send out (free) copies to reviewers, one month previously.  I have to compile a list of likely reviewers, as near to the top of the tree as I can (not my friend down the road, I think). Museum people, scholars, etc.
If we can we will launch the videos and DVD at the same time, so it will hit the shelves all at once and the world will grind to a stop while the gobsmacked public gasp in amazement.

For further installments on this birthing process, keep checking back!

If you have been, thanks for reading. Have a good day.

Wednesday 23 May 2012

the WEB

I have had a short tutorial today on how to do the website.
It seems massive, but if I take a bite at a time maybe it is doable. I am sure it is. It needs a complete overhaul. I also need to get familiar with all the interconnecting communications, like Facebook, Twitter etc, and get those links up.
And then there is the selling machine that has to be installed, PayPal etc.
This is all a gigantic learning curve. I wonder when I shall get back into the studio?  Good question, no?
But what is the point of making lovely stuff and writing lovely books if no-one knows?
Have a lovely day!

Tuesday 22 May 2012

we have a cover, folks.

This is the cover. The book is being set up this week, then it will be proofed, indexed and then.... printed. Since I this is all new to me, it is step by baby step,  so far so good.  The cover is how I imagined it would be, I think it will jump off the shelves.
Plans: (this is great, I am tingly as I write)   In a few minutes a lady, Vicky, will come and we will discuss making a series of videos. I plan to have the Project, which is in the book, video- ed and available on Youtube. Easy steps, cleaning the glass, laying the gold, etc.  I am teaming up with Gold Leaf Supplies, www.goldleafsupplies.co.uk (already pushing them!)
Video lady here.... more soon.

Thursday 3 May 2012

Publication date

We have a date for publication, August. Just ready for the autumn rush.

(Producing this book is the closest thing I can think of to producing a baby. Maybe it, too, will support me in my old age.)

I am sending off to the book producer, Patrick Armstrong, www.bookproductionservices.co.uk, for him to start designing and typesetting the book; I have the ISBN number; indexer and proof reader are all in place, editing (thank you Jane), is all done. It looks good.

Next to do is the marketing and now I have to learn all about publishing it by e-books. I am told this is the way to go. Also, I am planning a series of videos. There is very little on You Tube as yet, on gilding on glass.  I am having some trouble downloading i movie hd, which would be a good tool.
I cant figure it out.   Never mind!

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Gold: Power and Allure

I am delighted to have been asked to contribute to the free Summer exhibition at Goldsmiths' Hall, 1 June to 28th July 2012.  There will be 4500 years of gold treasures from across Britain, including  a mirror from me!
I made it using a variety of leaf, which will show its versatility on glass.
www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk

Do come.

Monday 30 April 2012

Swamped

I have been swamped with replies to the mailout re the book... thank you all.
I have just discovered the page where you can see your comments. I thought they would just appear, somewhere, and since they didnt, I assumed no comments, no readers. So that's ok.  Then there they were.
There are messages from a Nichole, a Michelle and a Trillium. Who are you? I could not see how to find out who you are so I could reply.
This technology is moving so fast I am running all day to keep up. Just getting a new post on the website was enough to take a lie down. It is some time since I had done anything on it, and it was way overdue. I had forgotten how to get the pictures up, and to resize them, and the rest. Then the type went very strange and that was it for me.

Laying silver leaf for a mirror

There is a huge market in the US for gilding, loads of interested people who do it, commission it, collect it.  The book will do well there, but I need help with its distribution. If anyone reading this has any idea how to find some help for me, please say!  But directly, francesfederer@gmail.com, please.

Thats it for today, have a good one, f

Saturday 28 April 2012

Gold Leaf etc

Update....

Every day I creep inexorably towards the completion of this book. It is a steep learning curve, nearly every aspect is new and unchartered territory.
For instance, who knew that indexing is a serious, accredited profession?
I have an indexer in place; I still need a proof reader; I have a date for completion of the production and presentation to the printers (end June) ; I have the price settled, £19.99, a little more than the handbooks out there, but still under the magic £20; the Foreword is coming, from Bill Gudenrath, (Corning Museum of Glass, USA) good man.   I also nearly have the cover.... pink and gold!  Yeh.

What else? Yes, a little thing, the publicity machine.
I will have to rejig the website, dreading that part. And figure out how to get known and talked about. (No point doing all this work and having no-one know). So I will have to contact a zillion organizations, (e.g society of gilders) dealers, students, customers, collectors... and then get it reviewed!

I think the book will be well received. There are a lot of students waiting for it, and Sue Govani, who manages  the online store, http://www.goldleafsupplies.co.uk/, who recently came on the course and had loads of pics done for her, and my site, assures me the interest in glass gilding is stronger than ever. She expects to sell plenty. Lets hope that will be repeated in all the other gilding supplies stores, and there are many!

People have been extraordinarily supportive.... so many current and former students have steeped up and helped in some way or another.  I have still to write the Acknowledgments page.

Thank you all, have a lovely day, f

Monday 23 April 2012

Recent possible pics for publicity... if not for the book.
So, for anybody reading this, this is what I look like these days!



New happenings


I have been invited to a couple of good things recently:
West Dean College, to teach a one-day course in Nov this year and a 5 day one in Feb. 2013. I was delighted to be asked, West Dean is an excellent centre for learning.
And, invited to exhibit at the Goldsmiths Company, City of London,  Gold: Power and Allure. An example of gilded glass will complement their exhibition and once again, I am very pleased. 1 June to 28 July.
www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk
All good stuff!   Have a good day.

Saturday 21 April 2012

Writing and publishing a book, the story continues

Just when I thought we were completing, I saw that further work had to be done.
Interesting process, this, trying to explain to a total beginner how to carry out quite a skilled operation, with words and pictures. I have redone the Mirror Project completely, simplified it right down to the basics, and had an inexperienced friend, Helene, follow it while I stood there, mostly silently, correcting my instructions.
Stefan, my special person, retook the pics and we are in business, I do hope.
The test was a success! Helene was delighted to have learned a new process, as was I to have enabled it to happen.
This pic. Laying silver leaf on the glass for the mirror. 
Once a few glitches have been ironed out, like how to include the template into the document, which has been a nightmare due to strange corruptions going on in my (it can't be mine, must be someone else's) computer, we will be able to get it tested by the Testing Team.
Then I continue with the book production process.
I have two superb professionals helping me with this, my editor, Jane, and Patrick Armstrong, www.bookproductionservices.co.uk who produces books. He is going to set it all up and get it ready for the printers.
Bill Gudenrath of Corning Museum of Glass, NY, is writing the Foreword; I wait with baited breath.
So all in all I am getting the support that is so necessary for a project like this and am very grateful. I almost went with a Vanity publishing house which would have been a great mistake; this is a huge learning curve.
So onwards.... More soon and if you have been reading this by any chance, good. And thank you, and do give me feedback.








Wednesday 11 April 2012

the trials continue


Just when I thought the thing was nearing completion, feedback from the editor, whose daughter tested the Project, was really depressing. But for her mum standing there she would have given up 'at the first hurdle'. Great.
The templates were too many (3) and impossible to fathom. I half suspected this, so, back to the drawing board to massively simplify the whole project chapter.
But, must not be discouraged. The fact is this is a difficult book to put together, which goes some way to explain why, to date, no publication on the subject has yet appeared. In spite of reverse gilding on glass (verre eglomise) becoming more and more widely used and recognised.
So that is the state so far... more soon.

Thursday 29 March 2012

Help to road test project, please

Gold Leaf, Paint & Glass
This book is nearing completion and now, please, I need some help.
I am looking for half a doz volunteers to road test the Project Chapter: step by step instructions to make a mirror with an engraved gilded border, with templates, photos and full instructions. More info of course will be sent to interested readers on the rest of the book.
It is important this practice is done by someone who knows nothing, but who is interested and who has access to the equipment. So, if you have done my class but maybe know someone who would like to do this exercise, please get in touch. It can be done by email, so if you are in Australia that is fine.
Let me know if you can help.

Thursday 5 January 2012

progress of Book

I am struggling to get it finally ready for the final edit, grabbing time when I can. It is so close, but still needs attention. I read it through and keep refining it to make it clearer. So easy to assume things.

Describing a technique to a novice is amazingly hard: imagine.... 'pick up the gold and gild the glass...' what is gold, (thick, thin, colour, how much does it cost....) what is glass, (same questions) and what do you mean, 'gild'? And so it goes. Every detail has to be explained, and every little thing I have discovered over the years that can help to fill out the info and clarify needs to be included. And not all jumbled up but presented in some kind of order!

But, it is coming. There is a ton to do after I have done this part.... I have to market the book, get it designed and printed, establish its cost and get in advance orders (with discount). Then I need to get it reviewed and out there. Talks and demos will all help, too. And in what order do I do all this? Same old, just put your head down and do one thing at a time. I have lots of help at hand so I will sign off and get back to it.

And if you have been, thanks for reading. Since I never get comments I am sure no-one is reading this, but hey-ho, that's fine.

Happy New Year.