As some of you probably know, I made a stained glass window for St. Agnes church which was fitted early last year. It depicted the St. Agnes lighthouse and as it looks out over Perigilis harbour, the islanders wanted as much clear glass as possible, so they didn't lose too much of their beautiful view. The locals can now sit in church and watch their fishing boats through the window while still (hopefully) listening to the service.
I was asked to design a second window, to be fitted opposite this lighthouse window, and this should be in place by the end of this year.
The designs required new, shaped frames, and the diocese decided that the church would benefit from the other, blank windows having matching frames. So a local carpenter, Steve Harding is making all six. They are looking good!

 This is the existing window depicting the St. Agnes lighthouse, finished last year.....

...and this is the design for the new window showing a gig crew rowing out in rough seas to survivors of a shipwreck.

Where did that time go??

Well, I just looked at the last post and realised it was, er.... a while ago since I last wrote anything! So I thought I'd better update while I still remember how.
Rhiannon has left her unit and is going to go travelling around the world while she's young and has the world at her feet. Liz Askins has taken over Rhiannon's studio, and is sharing it one day a week with Julia Williams. They are both doing fabric-based crafts. Liz is making beautiful silk scarves in soft colours and flowing designs, Julia is printing onto man-made fabrics using strong colours and bold designs. Her printed work is then turned into wall hangings, canvasses and cushion covers.
Paula has also left us after about four years and has handed over the reins of her jewellery business to Victoria Carter, who has just arrived on the islands with her husband, one of our local doctors.
I will get the main site updated, just as soon as I can, so you will be able to keep up with the websites of the new occupants.
In the meantime, here is a taster of some of their work...

 Cat picture on fabric, by Julia Williams.  Printed on fabric and mounted onto a canvas frame for wall hanging.

 Liz Askins wearing one of her own silk scarf creations.

Victoria Carter, busy making some new, beaded work for the coming season.

Art Scilly Info

We're starting to get ready for this year's Art Scilly Week. It will be held between 11th and 18th May, with new classes for this year, including soft pastels and decoupage.
For immediate, up-to-date information, check out our facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-Scilly-Week/575559285793755 and for later, more precise information, plus photos of previous years' student work, go to  http://www.artscillyweek.co.uk/ 
Hope to see you there! 

 Erica Hicks joined us this year and has been working upstairs using leather, making appliqued cards and upcycling clothes into new, more stylish wear for adults and children, and also funky bags.

Our Christmas craft fair will be on November 24th, with coffee, tea and mince pies on hand to help you make those difficult decisions.We hope you will join us now that you've had a preview of some our lines.

New Autumn collection.

These are some of the new lines brought out by Vickie Heaney. Lovely quality bone china with Scilly-inspired decorations. Mugs, jugs, teapots and tiles. Also tiny night light holders and creamer jugs, not shown here but ideal for Christmas stocking fillers.

Welcome back!

Having looked at the date of the last blog post, I see it was over a year ago! Not much point in asking if we've had a busy season then, eh?
The window for the hospice is long finished and in, though there's still no sign of the official opening by a royal personage...
There are new people in some of the studios, though no up-to-date pictures of their work just yet.
Carly Player has taken over from Liza and is making soaps, lotions, and various amazing things from recycled drink cans and magazines! They have to be seen to be believed. (Pictures are available on facebook on the Phoenix Craft Studios group page if you can access it.)
Erica Hicks is working in the upstairs gallery space, making upcycled clothes, cards and leather goods. She has just been away on a leather-making course in Devon, so we're expecting great things soon.
I will try to get the camera out and take pictures of the new stock as soon as the season calms down a bit.

New Stained Glass Project

Oriel Hicks has a new project in the pipeline. She has been selected to design and make two new stained glass windows for the Children's Hospice South West project near St. Austell, called Little Harbour.
This will be opened in December 2011 by Lady Mary Holborow, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall. Sadly, this does not give enough time for the windows to be completed, but hopefully at least one panel in each of the windows will be in place, giving an idea of what is to come in the spring.
The windows are nearly 14ft high, from floor to ceiling and will be positioned about 12ft apart, giving a feeling of encompassment between the two. Work will start in the studio in September and will continue throughout the winter months, so if you are in Scilly at that time, please visit the studio to check on progress.