Frailloop

bit cold

2012-02-12T21:38:00.001Z

Very cold this week. -5 when I stopped the van outside. Still a busy week with lots of pieces appearing as I went along. This was just one of them.

winter at last

2012-02-06T08:07:00.001Z

Although I was moaning at the cold at the end of last week - the van told me it was -5 - it has been a mild winter so far. Still its not stopping me working and the mirca project has been moving forward. Some of the excess parts are finding their way into new pieces, mainly birds, but this little dog was once a coil spring. Rear passenger side if you must know.

Think I may need to push some snow out of the way before I start work today.

All at sea

2012-01-21T22:52:00.001Z

Amongst the tasks that got completed this week was to visit the cottage Gallery in Wedmore, Somerset. (Do visit if you are passing by - its a lovely little gallery holding a huge amount of wonderful, creative goodies). On the way home I took a little detour to see the donkey sculpture on the outside edge of Weston-Super-Mare and then visited the seaside. As the picture of my satnav shows I can drive over the sea!

It's a boy!

2012-01-14T22:55:00.001Z

Need I say more?

;-)

2012-01-11T09:40:00.001Z

Dear website builders. Please don't ask if the website needs promoting! You found it, but thank you for the email confirming its working. Love frailloop.

Yawn!

2012-01-07T19:52:00.001Z

Quiet start to the year. Only a couple of short days in the studio as yet and very little to show for it. The car project made another mileston - The engine and gearbox are out. Just need breaking up into pieces for me to use. When I lifted the block out I noticed a patch of oil spreading on the floor. Then noticed the flow running across my trainer. So just taking the drain plug out of the engine leaves quite a lot of oil behind. Having struggled with progress I can recomend the use of a sledgehammer and scaff pipe to 'ease' the drive shaft out of the gear box. Just as well it ain't going back!

Seasons greetings

2011-12-29T20:48:00.001Z

As per normal there's a big gap between postings. I've been working on an idea for a couple of weeks - and it'll be a couple more be i start to get close to finishing. If it all goes wrong I'd rather its a private matter! The start of December was busy with a few commissions, including the piece in the picture. This was a wedding aniversary gift - designed remotely by text, mobile phone photos and telephone conversation, all with care not to spoill the surprise. I was able to mis-match pliers which were worked into the heart shape with some heat and some carefully applied force. Joined with a recovered nail, and mounted on a worn shackle, spanner and a few links of chain.

Fell over...

2011-12-07T08:33:00.001Z

The server developed a fault and stopped working last night. Now it feels better and is playing nicely. I think it was caused by Santa geting all the elves to look at my work!

Heres a picture of some of the artwork from the Barton pop up shop.

Not just me.

2011-12-02T22:26:00.001Z

I said that the Bartons Pop-up shop had more work than just mine and heres a picture to prove it. This wonderful clock is made by Travis Kelly - the design is inspired by plant structures. The shop is open Thursday to Saturday, 10 - 4, until the 17th.

Barton pop up shop opens

2011-11-27T21:45:00.001Z

I'm very pleased to say that Bartons of Chilwell, Nottingham have allowed 'us' - artists from Notts Creative and Shed2 - to take over a former car show room for a short run to Christmas, selling our creations to the good folk of Chilwell, Beaston and anywhere else our customers come from. Saturday was our first day and to was great to see people coming through the door, saying nice things about the work, and parting with their money to purchase wonderful work. We'll be open Thursday to Saturday until the 17th December. I'll post some more photos, but for now - its all mine...

Christmas is coming

2011-11-23T08:19:00.001Z

Are they the scariest words known to man? (Or is that men?). I'm happy to say I am working on a few commission that will be completed and delivered in the next week or two, before looking ahead to start on a large piece or two. Should you be considering purchasing an interesting piece of sculpture as a present please ask sooner thaner than later as time is just begining to get tight!

And one question. If you are a creator of web sites using search engines to find websites that are already out there. Having confirmed the site can be found how interested are those web site owners likely to be in your services when your main selling point is getting found by search engines?

Crafts for Christmas

2011-11-16T08:00:00.001Z

Returning to the studio today after last weeks Craft For Christmas at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate. I had a wonderful, met lots of lovely people and sold lots of my work. Big 'thank you' to all of those who came along, more thanks to those who spent their money with makers and sellers and finally more thanks to the team at Rural Crafts who managed a great show.

Reary to go.

2011-11-07T19:45:00.001Z

Whatever you may think as you take a glance at the picture it really shows me getting ready for Crafts For Christmas at the Yorkshire show ground in Harrogate. There are more birds than a Hitchcock movie, all different and awaiting new homes. Open Thursday to Sunday - come and see me!

Farewell to the Carnival of Monsters

2011-10-30T20:49:00.001Z

The Carnival ended on Saturday and our little shop has closed its door for the last time. From my point of view the event has been wonderful - lots of sales and lots of lovely comments.

I would like to thank everyone involved - the small team behind the carnival, Simon at Bartons, and everyone who sat in the shop and did an outstanding job selling my work.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Carnival of Monsters - Number 55

2011-10-19T23:08:00.001+01:00

Our shop! Come and look, (then purchase lots of wonderful handmade goodies)... Only open with the Carnival of Monsters - until the 29th October. Mon to Sat, 12 til 6.

Seed Gallery

2011-10-08T17:51:00.001+01:00

Until the 5th November I, along with some creative friends, have some selected work at the Seed Gallery, just off the Market Place, Crich. It's a new gallery, tiny, and full of wonderful art work.

Frailloop on tour

2011-09-24T21:48:00.001+01:00

OK these are not solo shows but all have some of my work in there somewhere.

15 to 29 October - www.carnivalofmonsters.co.uk/ located at the former Chilwell Barton Bus Depot.

7 Oct to 5 Nov - Inspired - http://www.seedgallery.co.uk/exhibitions_and_events.html - Crich, Derbyshire.

8 Oct to 12 Nov - Flash Trash - http://www.hardinghousegallery.co.uk/exhibitions.html - Lincoln

And don't forget the Christmas Fair at Harrogate

10 to 13 Nov - http://www.ruralcraftsassociation.co.uk/craftsforChristmas.asp

2011-09-24T09:43:00.001+01:00

Pleased to say that frailloop is now powered by Good Energy - electricity from 100% renewable sources. :-) .

Open House /Art Weekend at Thurgarton

2011-09-12T17:23:00.001+01:00

Hello everybody! This weekend a selection of my smaller pieces will be in Thurgarton - a little village about halfway between Nottingham and Newark on the A612. A small group of artists have been allowed to show their work in a real house and its garden. It's a lovely setting and helps you to see what pieces look like in the real world, rather than (in my case only!) a grubby studio. If you would like more information please email me.

Studio Time

2011-09-04T09:32:00.000+01:00

At last I've been able to spend some time back in the studio. The Gardener's Bothy at Stauton Harold kindly gave me a pile of old tools to play with. This bird is part of the results. Now time to spot the tool!

Eco Art China Tour 2011

2011-08-29T17:10:00.001+01:00

I'm very pleased to be one of the artists involved in this international event. Should you wish to visit the address is - Yueda 889 Plaza, Shanghai.

Frailloop at Eco Art China Tour 2011

2011-08-29T17:07:00.001+01:00

At Yueda 889 Plaza, Shanghai, if you want to visit!

I'm very pleased to be one of the artists involved in this international event.

Back from the Mont

2011-08-27T19:34:00.001+01:00

This week I've been rebuilding the Mont Canal on the edge of Wales. I had a toy to play with too. Moved tonnes of earth, 100's of blocks, laid some carpet, and some more carpet. Didn't finish it. :-(

Art in the Pen...

2011-08-08T08:27:00.001+01:00

...takes place this weekend at the Skipton Auction Mart. Lots of artists and their work held in the cattle pens. Come and buy!

sculpture in the sanctuary

2011-07-18T21:30:00.001+01:00

The next event with my work is "sculpture in the sanctuary" which is at Reg Taylors Garden Centre, just outside Southwell, Notts. More information can be found at http://www.sculptureinthesanctuary.co.uk/.

Got to get ready for "Art in the Pen" in Skipton - an art fair in a cattle market (but no cows). Open Friday evening, then during the day over the weekend (12 - 14 August).

And as a little extra I have been asked by the Cupola Gallery in Sheffield for a few pieces for their 20th birthday exhibition - starting 5 August.

Busy, busy, busy!

Woodpecker

2011-06-18T21:17:00.001+01:00

This little bird is fitted to a plate (not sure what it did but came with useful holes pre-drilled) which attaches to the wall/shed/tree. Bolt legs, bits of box section become the body and head. Bits of sheet for the wings and tail. More old bolts and screws form the neck, beak and hair. The eyes are punch outs. Put it all together and looks what hatches out.

Half time

2011-06-10T21:47:00.001+01:00

Two days done. Two to go. Half way through the Patchings Art Festival and it's going well. Lots of visitors so far. Hopefully there will be more to come. It has been fun to watch peoples reactions to the gas bottle scooter and the lowrider bike. Big thank you to Adrian and Trinity Forge for his help to enable me to work a couple of bars that will enable me to complete a musical sculpture. It was nice to work hot metal for a change, but I still favour cold.

Patchings Art Festival

2011-06-05T20:06:00.001+01:00

This week is the Patchings Festival. It runs from Thursday and Sunday. There is a good range of craft stalls, together with a huge amount of art goods - more paint brushes than you can shake a stick at!

Thanks

2011-05-31T22:42:00.001+01:00

Thank you to everyone who came and saw me and my work over the weekend. It was nice to see you all - and hear those compliments! On to Patchings Festival next!

Derbyshire Open Arts

2011-05-27T22:43:00.001+01:00

Will I've still got to do a few things done in the morning before I can claim to be ready, but it is the chance to see a real artists studio. And mine is more real than most! On the plus side I now have warm water to wask my hands, with tiled splash back and mirror (so I'll know when I'm about to go out with a dirty face!

I'll be open 11 til 5. If everyone visits the studios in order it'll be while before folk get to number 150.

Derby Open Arts Trail

2011-05-15T21:50:00.000+01:00

Getting the studio ready for this event that runs over the Bank Holiday weekend. Hopefully I'll get lots of visitors that really want to see a metalwork studio in the raw! It's a bit like revision for an exam - you write lists of jobs to do and draw a timetable planning out how do them. And then you try to cram it all in at the last minute.

At the moment thats not quite true. I have boxed in some of the water pipes. And I'm thinking very hard about ordering a water heater - which I plan to fix shortly after delivery...

Open on 28, 29 and 30 May, from 10 to 4 (later if busy). Satnav to DE7 5HX will get you there.

Photos

2011-05-02T21:58:00.000+01:00

Need to work out a better way to get the photos up on line, but here is a little something to be getting on with.

sorry no photos...

2011-04-29T22:46:00.001+01:00

My laptop has taken sick. Nice man at computer shop said they don't make clockwork ones these days, so I should consider a new one. Didn't say I have one right here for only... No photos until I can get the next one sorted.

Lots of completed work. Cat on a tall panel. Dog standing on his hind legs looking through a short panel. Couple of tall flowers. A hanging sign (to be completed by Garry Jones).

Now how do I hang a landrover door from a wall? Needs to be open a foot too. Another one to watch out for - again to be completed by Garry.

Ant on the road

2011-04-18T21:11:00.001+01:00

At the crack of Dawn this 'little' ant was loaded on to the trailer and hauled North. It was a shame I was off to Donington to pick up the pieces - it would have been wonderful to follow it up the M1 just to see how people reacted... Thanks Drew!

life after bctf

2011-04-11T22:55:00.001+01:00

Glad thats over... No orders but lots of interest. Normally I take a wander around the show and see something that makes me go WOW. And vote for it for an award. This year - nothing. There were lots of individual pieces that were good, but not to the standard of previous years. One or two stands I could not understand why they were there. I don't want to advertise them otherwise I would point the finger of shame!

Onwards and upwards. Follow up on the chance to exhibit some larger pieces around the country - so watch out for more news.

Next event will be the Derby Open Art Trail at the end of May. Come and see me at work...

Coming soon - BCTF

2011-03-26T22:05:00.001Z

I'm working hard trying to create my stand for the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate. It's a big one for me. My fifth year there and I've bought a larger space than before. I can bring bigger pieces and more work, with the cunning plan of bring in more business - more galleries to stock my work, more orders and commissions, and the chance to have my own show/exhibition.

winter trees

2011-03-15T22:11:00.000Z

Well here is the first new piece. The breezeblock wall gives some scale. I have some ideas for some new, wall mounted work - is it working?

holiday over

2011-03-14T00:07:00.001Z

Sorry for another long gap in blogs. Having returned from a weeks holiday in Cornwall I now know how much I needed the break. It's surprising how things creep up on you and you just don't notice. I now have to get down to some serious work in the studio so I have something to show at the BCTF in Harrogate.

Cornish opening hours!

Come and see

2011-02-20T23:34:00.001Z

My new studio is up and running. You can only tidy to a point and I was missing sculpting too much. Please come and see me at work in my wonderful studio at Unit 5, The Ropewalk, Station Road, Ilkeston, DE7 5HX. I'm just behind Ilkeston Motor Factors and almost in the canal!

Moving slowly

2011-02-06T20:44:00.001Z

Another week gone and more of the contents has travelled to Ilkeston. The office is getting messy. The studio space is filling with useful bits of steel.

Half the retail park over the road is closed following a few days of strong winds. Just a few leaves blowing around our forecourt thanks to the shelter from the canal bridge.

Progress

2011-01-28T23:49:00.001Z

Well the new studio has:-

an office - built new walls, all painted including floor and ceiling.

toilet - all painted - just the finishing touches.

studio space - all painted.

Just need to move the contents.

building and painting

2011-01-22T23:42:00.001Z

This week I picked up the keys for the new studio and then spent the rest of the week cleaning, building, painting and fixing. Too cold to paint some days - the can says don't use if the temperature is below 5C. Given the water outside froze before it hit the drain it was colder. Got to be finished by the end of next week so I can begin to move in and sculpt again.

New Studio and Beetroot Tree Gallery

2011-01-19T23:08:00.001Z

This week I am a jobbing builder and painter - sculpting is having a little rest while my new studio takes shape.

Thursday night 7.30pm at the Beetroot Tree. Come and meet some of the artists who make up C10, whose work is 'In The Frame'.

Frailloop has a new home?

2011-01-10T23:59:00.001Z

I think I've found a new studio. At the moment its just an open space with one little room...

Don't forget 'in the frame' at the Beetroot Tree Gallery. It starts in the morning and runs to the 23rd. This Sunday between 3 and 5 come a meet the artists. All artwork 'in the frame' is just £30.

In The Frame

2011-01-06T20:17:00.001Z

Last year I was lucky enough to be sellected to be part of 'Nottinghamshire Creative 2' - a development program for a range of artists run by Notts County Council. The group has won the Beetroot Tree Gallery (well two weeks of it) and 'In The Frame' is the result. 10 different artists working together, each producing 10 pieces of work, 100 in total, with each piece costing a bargain £30. The show runs from 11th to 23. With in this you can come and meet the group on Sunday 16th between 3pm and 5pm. In addition a sellect band (and me) will be at the gallery on Thursday 20 between &.30pm and 10pm.

New Year, new studio

2011-01-01T18:06:00.001Z

Wanted - studio space for me! About the size of a double garage (as a minimum) with level access located somewhere between Nottingham, Mansfield and Ilkeston. Domestic power is good. I can get noisy so no close neighbours who work nights might be a plus too. If you have some space, or know of a space that might work please contact me.

Snow joke

2010-12-05T20:37:00.001Z

I understand that weather related puns are an obligation at the moment. Hopefully it'll be a while before I drive to the studio with -6 as the temperature. Studio is only heated by the welder! Once the thaw sets in I will need to restock Rufford - nice big flowers this time. Also the White Gallery in Bollington and Creative Recycling in Cholton need a visit. Before long there will another ant in the world!

guess what!

2010-12-01T12:18:00.000Z

Oh well! Its a day off.

Cold

2010-11-26T20:54:00.001Z

There are times when an open 8ft roller door is great. There are other times when it does nothing to keep the cold out. This week its cold and looks like it'll stay that way for a bit. On the plus side theres been no snow in Nottingham.

Check out the link - http://www.cat.org.uk/visitus/vcindex2.tmpl?sku=VC_04 - and then rush of to Wales to see my work at CAT.

Fixed the welder. Got sunburn!

:-(

2010-11-20T20:27:00.001Z

Busy week, but mostly at Donington ensuring all those little beeltes were safe! Then studio today - and bust the welder. No chance of fixing it until monday at the earliest. Tried everything I know to repair it (that don't take long). Now going for sulking, with some swearing. That's taking longer.

and a partridge in a pear tree

2010-11-13T22:40:00.001Z

Tomorrow is the opening at Rufford of the Creative Greenhouse show. Its the place to buy those wonderful handmade Christmas gifts. The show runs until Christmas (and just into the New Year).

Lighthouse Works

2010-11-08T18:41:00.001Z

Last week I delivered Hercules the Horse and a dozen other pieces to CAT. Sadly the driving rain and poor light did not do anything for photography, but I hope some pictures will follow.

The Lighthouse Works, Queen Street, Astwood Bank, Redditch is now open. A former needle factory now houses Garry Jones' studio and the Lighthouse Works Gallery. In addition to the giant needle centrepiece there are a number of frailloop sculptures, including a snail or two...

frailloop goes to CAT

2010-11-03T22:38:00.001Z

The Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth, Wales with be the temporary home for some of my work for the next few months, if fact until Easter. This is a selling exhibition, so if you see some you like you can take it home (having parted with the appropriate cash)! Don't worry about leaving a space, I'll just need to create another piece to fill the gap.

Photos to follow.

Help Rusty Fish!

2010-10-31T21:49:00.001Z

Hello folks. I'm back from a hard week WRG work on a very disused canal in Somerset (just). I learnt to drive a little tractor with a trailer - both forwards and backwards and moved a few tons of wood. Picture to follow. Now into a couple of very busy weeks. In the meantime could you follow the link and instructions to vote for a very talented friend.

http://www.beadsandbeyondmagazine.com/vote/

Category is Mixed Media, 5th picture along, title Instructions - Bracelet for cakes

Quite = busy (honest)

2010-10-23T09:34:00.001+01:00

Greetings! I know I've not said much here for a while, but I have been working away in the studio preparing for the Christmas show at Rufford in Nottinghamshire. I've also been getting ready to deliver to the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth. At the same time I have been looking for a new home for the frailloop studio. It has outgrown the cave at TAO and needs to stretch its wings!

2010-10-09T22:49:00.001+01:00

Commission bird. Had a good drawing to work from, with some really fun ideas. I really like the beak!

Lowrider

2010-10-04T21:31:00.001+01:00

Just fits into the front window at The Art Organisation. I had to wait for the crowd to clear to take the picture. (Well two people but they were staring at my work).

Adore

2010-10-01T23:53:00.001+01:00

I hope that the picture come up well! It looks good at this end. Thanks to Mike at Adore Photography for his work.

Holiday over

2010-09-26T14:43:00.001+01:00

We had a couple of weeks away, up to Scotland, then over to Orkney and home. The picture should show a landscape from the hotel at John O'Groats looking towards the Orkneys. We saw lots of seals, around the coast to the right of the picture, most places around the Orkney Mainland and then found a few more as we headed home.

Now back to the studio. Maybe time to trade up for a bigger workshop? I wonder whats out there...

Getting needled

2010-09-09T23:40:00.001+01:00

Soon to be gracing the about to open Needle Forge Gallery, Dark Lane, Astwood Bank, Redditch, B96 6AS.

Lowrider

2010-09-09T00:07:00.001+01:00

About 90% complete. Coming along nicely.

It's oh so quite...

2010-09-05T21:29:00.001+01:00

It's not really! I'm nice and busy and I've been making plenty of noise in the studio. However the client has not seen the pieces I'm working on so it would be unfair to publish photos of them here first. But I've just completed them and I'm very pleased with them.

I've also been very busy working on another bike - this time I've gone lowrider. It was raining hard and I didn't think I would be able to get a reasonable picture. Again, with luck, I should be able to get a photo this week.

And finally I've been working on a 6ft needle. This will be the piece that welcomes visitors to the brand new needle forge gallery that will be opening very soon.

grasshopper

2010-08-13T21:34:00.001+01:00

Made this. About 18 inches from head to wing tip. Then went back to ants legs. Then discovered that the box section I used to model the ants knees was now the body and head of a grasshopper...

Security

2010-08-05T21:32:00.001+01:00

Latest piece to come out of the studio:-

Security Dave.

Short, spikey hair, just begining to receed.

Standard issue dark glasses, to be worn at all time.

Uniform bow tie, clip-on.

Couple of tatoos.

Everything you'd expect on 'the door'.

paint

2010-07-31T17:38:00.001+01:00

As a diversion this week I've been trying out a new medium - paint. On Tuesday I went through a white period, but today was my blue period. I would love to post a picture of my work today, but I'm unable to. The press will view it on Tuesday/Wednesday of this coming week and then some photos will be published.

free space

2010-07-21T19:28:00.001+01:00

Now that 'Hush' has gone to be sited I have an empty studio. Had is better as I have started the lowrider bike and (on a smaller scale) a new flying bird.

Having run out of welding gas today I had time out in the sun. Lots of little jobs to get done and a visit to Red Hill Marina - for fun. Sadly the cafe was closed, but it was good to just sit and look at the River Soar.

wet week

2010-07-16T23:21:00.001+01:00

Boy can it rain when it wants! Outside working on project hush when the heavens opened. Didn't stop me finishing, ahead of collection first thing Monday morning.

Project Hush is in 2 parts. The other bit is begining to weather. It was tough to get hold of enough sheet steel and it was all painted or galv. But put the grinder over the whole piece, with little effect. Then moved on to a mix of salt and battery acid. That worked as the picture shows!

Values Tree

2010-07-15T21:03:00.001+01:00

What a day! The tree is in place. A wonderful setting in a school in London. Lots of other art work around already. The children created some wonderful drawings which lead to lots of interesting bugs, insects and a line of ants.

Then a crash right in front of us on the motorway. Felt like a long wait for the emergency services. Just very glad it was not for me.

Picture thanks to Roxanne.

TV

2010-07-13T19:04:00.001+01:00

Those of you watching BBC East Midlands News tonight may have been lucky enough to see me being interviewed. I will try to get a link up for anyone that feels left out!

Ready for my close up?

2010-07-12T21:17:00.001+01:00

I'm getting filmed tomorrow by the BBC. It's a shame they can't show Project Hush, but hopefully the school tree and other pieces will keep them heppy. I'm not sure what will be required of me, but I've been told lots of flames and sparkes give good TV!

Should I cut open the gas bottle with the crew present? Maybe I'll save that for a quiet day...

I will let you know when its due go to air.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

2010-07-03T21:05:00.001+01:00

I'm working hard on Project HUSH, and school tree. Should be done in a week. Installing in two or three weeks.

I'll tell all later!

signature piece

2010-07-01T22:54:00.001+01:00

nuff said...

day off

2010-06-27T13:28:00.001+01:00

I've taken a day off. 1st one for ages. Still sunny too.

Work, work, work

2010-06-19T22:04:00.001+01:00

It's very odd that making giant ants is so uninteresting. Between us Obi and I need to create 5 huge ants. I'm working on the legs. But each ant has 6 legs, so 30 scaffold poles needed to be bent to the right curve. Each legs each has 2 'knees' - cut out of sheet steel and hammered into shape. 60 needed. Then they need to be welded into shape. 8 feet of weld per leg, 48 ft per ant. 240 ft in total.

But then I walk past the giant ant and think that 6 will look outstanding.

I'm sooooooooooooooo glad I'm not making spiders.

Day out of the studio

2010-06-18T18:07:00.001+01:00

Having been busy with ants legs and knees for the past week it was good to spend a day away from the studio with the group of artist that is Nottingham Creative 2. Notts council funded year long group to develop a sellected group of creative folks.

Surprised to find how tired I am, but how good it was get out and see some new people.

Strange to be talking about work after July!

Had to happen...

2010-06-14T20:09:00.001+01:00

I've managed to break a coil spring in the vans suspension. Not the heaviest load its carried, or even over rough ground when it broke. Quite a bang from the back of the van and felt it go. Off to the garage tomorrow.

On the plus side the old springs should make nice dogs/cats. With luck they'll pay for the repair.

Discovery

2010-06-07T23:05:00.001+01:00

The busier I get, the harder it is to find something interesting to write. You'd think more work would make it easier to find something to say.

Don't know what to say about cleaning up 24 5ft scaffold poles. They'll be ant legs by the end of the week! If you are coming along to the Patchings Festival you'll know what I'm doing... I think I'm about 60ft short of scaffold for the ants - all contributions welcome, rustier the better!

BIG

2010-06-01T22:20:00.001+01:00

Today the Giant Ant was finished. Not sure of the stats but it stands over 5ft tall, and must be 6ft long. The jaws are huge. Pictures will follow, but the client gets to see them first!

M I A

2010-05-30T20:50:00.001+01:00

Someone has pinched a little dragon. Its got good teeth - I hope it bites them.

nice day for a drive

2010-05-27T22:41:00.001+01:00

Took a look on ebay last night, just on the off chance, and found this lot of scaffold with 10 minutes to go. 9 minutes later put in a snipe bid. On the way to studio this morning took a (hands free) call about collection. 280 miles later arrived at studio with 250 foot of rusty scaffold. It'll make some great ants legs.

Yesterday was good...

2010-05-24T16:49:00.001+01:00

...but today is better! I've just landed a large commission - lots of work for Obediar (another skilled sculptor) and I. Watch this space for pictures. Hopefully in about a week...

OBLA

2010-05-24T08:03:00.001+01:00

Open Lady Bay festival was wonderful. Loads of customers. More nice comments about my work. Best bit - lots of friends visiting.

Another day that reminds my why I'm so lucky to be able to do this 'job'.

Open Lady Bay Arts Festival

2010-05-21T21:01:00.001+01:00

This weekend I will be taking part in this festival - 1 til 6 Saturday and Sunday. Come and see me, the glass and metal dragon, various other pieces of steel sculpture and lots of other artists and artwork.

For those that don't know Lady Bay is a nice bit of Nottingham, between West Bridgford and the Trent.

Looks like it'll be sunny too.

loaded

2010-05-20T22:14:00.001+01:00

Full.

Lady Bay Festival interview on Radio Nottingham

2010-05-14T21:56:00.001+01:00

This afternoon I was interviewed by Jo Davies on Radio Nottingham. OK - not just me, but help my ego. For the next few days I think you can hear me on listen again at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p007r8qs . I think I appear about 3.20pm (not that you should not listen to the rest of Jo's program). The photo (which I hope is attached) was taken by Dan Sinclair. Jo is hidden behind the dragons head.

It was good to help publicise the Lady Bay Festival and let the dragon (even if was only just the head) out to see the world for the first time.

The stag party I passed heading in to the Jury's Inn Hotel may well find that it wasn't the only one out in Nottingham tonight...

family group

2010-05-11T20:18:00.001+01:00

Hope these are popular...

watch this space

2010-05-08T21:29:00.001+01:00

...

Do you

2010-04-30T22:39:00.000+01:00

know what it is yet?

There be dragons!

2010-04-28T23:50:00.001+01:00

Take one large dumped gas bottle. Remove excess. Add galvanised pipes. Add more galvanised pipes...

Lady Bay Project

2010-04-27T08:06:00.001+01:00

I have joined forces with the Lady Bay Scout Group to create something for the Lady Bay Festival. I have also been joined by Barbara - who works with recycled glass. Following some workshops and drawings by the group the theme of dragons gave out very strongly. So we have started work on a recycled steel dragon, with glass features.

Today my studio will be visited by the first small group of cubs. So before then I will need to have tidied up, made some room so they can get in and cut the dragons body. But first I have deliveries and collection to make.

Creative?

2010-04-22T19:27:00.001+01:00

I've just been told I had made it through the selection round for Nottingham Creative - A craft mentoring/training/helping boot project run by the council - and have to take some work along to the interview stage. Watch this space for updates!

Don't hold your breath. It's a few weeks away.

Little dragon

2010-04-22T00:23:00.001+01:00

Finished a pair of little dragons. They stand about 30cm tall and 30cm long.

mini dragon

2010-04-17T20:07:00.001+01:00

End of a odd week. Started with the BCTF, then following up a few leads - some from the BCTF, but the most promising came from a chat with a nice British Waterways guy who helped me with wheel hubs!

Most of the week I have a good reason for not creating much, but I have managed to make a few more little flowers and almost finished a mini version of my dragon. You'll have to wait til I finish for the picture. Monday is delivery day, but if things good well I'll drop by the studio. If for no other reason I will need to bank a cheque.

British Craft Trade Fair

2010-04-14T09:55:00.001+01:00

Back home and with a good nights sleep behind me. Good event, better than last year. A positive feel around the stands with lots creative work on show. I had the chance to meet Duncan Thurlby - our work shares a few galleries - and he was the worthy winner of the WOW award.

Booked a larger stand for next year. I would like to bring a few large pieces and aim to pick up some exhibitions. Just need some ideas now...

I also came home with this wonderful squirrel. The work of Garry Jones, ceramics to make ewe smile.

BCTF

2010-04-10T18:40:00.000+01:00

Arrived in Harrogate and now set up and ready for lots of orders. Some serious panicing as I crafted a tree, but never measured it, or the space in the van. However the eye is still good as it was spot on.

Second panic was the size of the stand. The tree is tall enough to arch over me, so it's quite tall. Last year the stands had supporting bars. Luckily not this year and the tree fits, and looks good.

re-engineered shelving

2010-04-01T20:42:00.001+01:00

As if by magic just under under 6 metres of scrap floorboards, 6 ex-extinguishers, 2 skip slavaged tie rods and 4 ex-farm bolts turn into this. Not the best photo in the world, but its not easy to leave an extra set of shelves around the house with them getting in the way...

woodwork

2010-03-30T23:49:00.001+01:00

Managed to get into the woodpile before the rain started. I now have 3 planks, cut to just fit in the van and cleaned up. I think I can use 3 pairs of ex-extinguishers to support the shelving. 100% Recycled.

Even had time to finish a very nice fire dish...

Forward Planning

2010-03-29T20:38:00.001+01:00

Less than 2 weeks to go before Frailloop shows it's wonders to the world at the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate. Think I need to craft some shelving. Hope its dry tomorrow - the thought of hunting through a soggy pile of second-hand timber is not nice.

Given my current ability to cut, slice or damage my hands how long before I find a sharp nail?!

Another week gone

2010-03-28T08:28:00.001+01:00

My cut thumb is healing well, but I have to be careful not to get it dirty or to work it too hard. I found I could not use my snips to cut sheet metal - the handle pushes in the wrong place. However I was able to bend bar so made progress on the musical tower.

I've only got a couple of weeks to get ready for the British Craft Trade Fair. I have made a tree and a couple of dogs for the stand. I also want to have lots of small steel flowers. I thought they would great covering the floor, but now wonder if the large, blank white walls will dwarf them. Plan B. Make some shelves from...

I visited the Creative Recycling Gallery in Manchester on Thursday to deliver new pieces. The pictures shows some of my work in their wonderful garden.

Recycled tree

2010-03-21T21:26:00.001Z

Planted the steel tree and met lots of pupils. The weather forecast was good, but the reality was rain. Digging the holes was hard work - lovely chalky soil that was as tough as concrete! Tree in. Leaves set in the flower bed. Looking good.