Baby, it's cold inside...
It’s a glassblower’s worst nightmare. The furnace breaks down. And it’s also Christmas Eve. Disaster! Anyway, being the self-effacing character that he is Will tends to be rather off-hand about what this could have meant to the business and how much effort rebuilding this pivotal piece of equipment took. You only have to look at the exterior of the furnace, never mind think about the internal workings, to have an idea of what a project this was and what a challenge he faced to dismantle and then put back together the whole thing virtually single handed. Anyway, the beast seems to be back in good working order (touch wood) and congrats to Will for his Herculean effort.
I recently found time to talk to Will in some depth about what it took to rebuild the furnace and you can read his thoughts on our Facebook page – go to http://www.facebook.com and search for Shakspeare Glass.
Inside the Pyramid
An event to note for our friends in the North. Pyramid Gallery in York are holding a series of special events to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Saturday 28th January sees the opening of Thirty30, a show featuring 30 British jewellery makers alongside a selection of paintings, glass and ceramics, to include, of course, one Will Shakspeare. There is a long association between Shakspeare Glass and Pyramid and we are delighted to feature in the show.
Among the selection of Will’s glass you will find single wall tableaux in new colours (which look fabulous!), Seagrass and Flotsam from the Tresco range, goblets and pieces from Nougat.
Pyramid is a dynamic gallery set in the beautiful surroundings of Stonegate, right in the historic centre of York. If you are within reach why not have a day out, take in the exhibition and have a stroll round one of our loveliest cities?
For further information visit www.pyramidgallery.com
Canine Chicanery at the Open Day!
Even in these straightened times it was heartening to see the pre-opening queue forming, marking out the participants as arbiters of all that is tasteful and cool. Or perhaps they were just after blagging a gert big great bargain. Or both, I think most likely.
Anyway, there was no repeat of last year’s slipping on the ice although the mugs of coffee distributed down the line went down well. And the day was as lively as usual, with eager punters not only filling their metaphorical boots with bargains but also heading off with plenty of their pick of the regular Shakspeare Glass ranges.
My favourite moment of the day? Well it had to be when during the first-hour mayhem, Will and Kate’s beloved Boo decided that right in front of the till was where he wanted to lay down and snooze. People wanting to pay then showed great agility in treading over, around and past him, all the while trying desperately not to drop their purchases! Nobody even thought about booting the blessed hound out of the way! Priceless!
As always, huge thanks to everyone who came and supported us, somehow managing to drink us dry of a very large quantity of mulled wine! If you didn’t make it to the Open Day there’s still time in hand to shop the website and have your goods delivered in good order for the Festive. If you have any questions about ordering through the website please have a look at the FAQ’s on the Info page.
OPEN DAY
Gordon Bennett, it doesn't feel like a week since I was dispensing free wine and bonhomie to all and sundry, mind you - these things stick in the mind.
Anyway, chatting to our vainglorious presshound over an early morning coffee, he suggested that I pop up a few pics to remind people of the fun they had and to forewarn the uninitiates of the perils ahead.
LA Story
Pupils from Queens College School in Taunton recently jetted off to Los Angeles for a two week educational exchange. It was suggested that each participant should buy a gift for their host family. Apparently a tin of shortbread or packet of tea weren't deemed appropriate but a piece of nice, local, Shakspeare Glass was just the ticket! There is no truth in the rumour that Will is heading off to Hollywood Boulevard to schmooze the yummy mummies while checking that his work is being appropriately displayed.
New Stockists
We have added some new stockists to the roster which could be helpful as we all start thinking about getting festive.
John Noott Galleries are at 14 Cotswold Court, Broadway, Worcestershire www.john-noot.com
You can now find Shakspeare Glass in Woburn at Bedford Street Gallery, 2 Bedford Street www.bedford street.com
And in deepest, darkest Surrey our old friends at New Galleries, New Ashgate, Farnham www.newashgate.org.uk have added our work to their excellent collection.
Design specialists Rowen and Wren have a selection of specially commissioned Shakspeare Glass baubles displayed amongst their products – www.rowenandwren.co.uk
Irridising Chamber Comp
We were, as Valerie Singleton used to say, overwhelmed by the response to our recent competition.
We asked our adored mailing list recipients – what, you’re not on the list?! – what they thought was the purpose of the very high-tech piece of apparatus pictured below. We can now reveal that it is in fact the Irridising Chamber, with which Will produces his amazing new, and highly covetable, range of baubles (see the Quebec Ruby Lustre and Xmas Carnival Baubles on the Bauble page). The chamber, developed amid much blood, sweat and ripe language, works by spraying a chemical mix over the glass at a particular point in the production process. Precise details are encrypted and locked away in a vault at Shakspeare Glass HQ, for fear of details ending up in the hands of the KGB, FBI or WI . Irridisation is actually a process developed by Tiffany to give the surface of the glass the look of something which has been dug up from Roman times.
Many thanks to everyone who joined in and had a go.
Abbey Road
We have just finished our stint at the very lovely Muchelney Abbey, near Langport here in Zummerzet. This was part of Somerset Art Works, a scheme where artists across the county exhibit (and sell) their wares. We received lots of compliments about our glass which looked splendid in the setting of the Abbotts Lodging at the Abbey, especially with the sun shining through them. Apparently there are a few ghosts known to inhabit the Abbey and while Kate was on duty a book was mysteriously flung across the shop [a paperback!]. Fortunately the ghosts appreciated the glass and left it alone. Thanks to everyone who came to see us and to all at the abbey, especially Stephen, Alison, Andrew and Hilary, the long-suffering English Heritage Guides Curators.
