{friendship} february & a giveaway

Hello there!

How is all with you? Here in the UK things are getting very, very cold - but I have some exciting news to share which hopefully will help you feel warm & fuzzy inside....

February is the month of Valentines & of love. Its a time to show someone special how much they mean to you. Its also a time to celebrate friendships, some new, some which have lasted a lifetime. I thought it would be a great opportunity to link up with some of the incredibly gifted & lovely people who I am lucky to have met on my creative journey. So I'm delighted to present {friendship} February a series of bloggy fun, giveaways & inspiration which celebrates crafty friendship across the globe! 

First up, I'm so thrilled to introduce you to Catherine Keenan, who makes incredible lampworked jewellery and glass-blown pieces like this

I met Catherine when I took a glass beading class with her at our local arts centre & I had a great (but not overly productive) time making this little lot

Actually these are Catherines beads, not mine.... but I did have a great time with that bunsen burner!

Catherine trained at the National College of Art and Design Dublin, & the International Glass Centre West Midlands. She lives nearby & has kindly agreed to let me interview her...

Why glass?

I love glass' ability to affect light and transmit colour.  The process of working in molten glass, whether blowing or working on the torch, making beads, is fascinating, the way the glass moves, the red/orange glow is mesmerizing.

What has been your favourite thing to make?

My favourite thing to blow are plates whether it's for my 'Poppy Patch' installations or 'Wild Flower' vessels.  

The technique of spinning out the form as the final stage is very dramatic and good fun! This is a video of me making a 'Wild Flower' 

My favourite beads to make at the minute are my new 'rose bud studs', I fuse a transparent rod to an opaque colour and spiral the 2 together.

Where do you find inspiration?

My inspiration mainly comes from nature. I like to simplify forms often abstracting them to create something new and yet familiar.  Colour and pattern are always central to my work.

Is there one tip you could share about being a successful artist?

So far I think the key to success as an artist is to keep a fascination and curiosity in how you see things. It is important to always be learning and developing so that you remember why you are doing what you are doing!

Thanks so much Catherine! Its so lovely to get some insight into your work & creative life! Catherine has also kindly agreed to sponsor the February giveaway, which is for a beautiful set of Rose Bud Studs like these.....

So, to enter, simply pop over to Catherine's jewellery shop by clicking here, then come back & let me know which of her pieces is your favourite... its that simple! We will keep the giveaway open until 12MN (gmt) on 13th February & announce the winner on 14th.... 

Good luck everyone!

Karen

PS. Call back on Friday for some more {friendship} February fun!