Flame on Glass - 2012

Hello dear friends,

Yesterday some bead-making friends from our small group the "Flaming Matildas" went to the 'Flame on Glass 2012" exhibition at Kirra Galleries, Federation Square, Melbourne. ( Last year's post is here )

This wonderful annual event (this is the 10th) showcases a lot of very talented Australian contemporary flameworking artists including those who work on the larger torches making larger sculptural pieces and also artists who use less powerful torches to make glass beads.

There were torches set up in the atrium outside  Kirra Galleries... a wonderful shop which sells and promotes glass in Australia.

There are many items on sale by featured artists:

Christian Arnold, Barbara Ashbee, Sally Balfour, Susie Barnes, Wendy Bergamin, Jemma Clements, Richard Clements, Cas Davey, Pauline Delaney, Kristen Dibbs, Cindy Durant, Mark Eliott, Matthew Farrell, Sally Green, Marilyn Hayes, Terri Kraehe, Len McFadden, Carol Marando, Raymond Mifsud, Peter Minson, Anne Oberin, Helen Peake, Lisa Simmons, Alan Ussher, Kathryn Wardill and Laurie Young

I was taken by the wonderfully complex work by Richard Clements who was showing these "animals of unknown origin" The eyes in these weird and wonderful animals (to me they looked like prehistoric/ fantasy birds) were astonishing as was the depth and glimmer in the menacing beaks.... a bow and lots of almost old-fashioned-looking decoration gave them a slightly comical and  'granny'-like appearance and took away the danger factor from that delightfully confusing piece. I'm not too sure if I would like to come across one in real life though!

Pictured: -  "Animal of Unknown Origin"by Richard Clements. ( photo from Kirra galleries )

Yes, that is a very powerful flameworking torch!

Kathryn Wardill working on a smaller torch and making a glass bead. Peter Minson (partially) is next to her. Coloured glass rods used for making beads are on the table.

This is a corner of the Federation Square complex.You either love it or hate it. Many Melbournites feel very strongly about it. Personally I love it, but I have always liked a juxtaposition of old and new together.

This is the iconic Flinders Street Railway Station on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne. Behind is the very tall Eureka Tower... the tallest building in Melbourne at 91 storeys above ground. In the foreground is one of Melbourne's trams.

If you wish to see some glass artists at the torch, they will be in the atrium of Federation Square, Melbourne over this weekend of the 8th and 9th of September 2012 from 11am to 5pm. Hope you can make it!

Have a great weekend,

Melbourne Bead Expo

The Bead Society of Victoria is hosting its 7th annual Melbourne Bead Expo.
The Expo is on from Friday 12 November until  Sunday 14 November 2010 at the Kingston City Hall,
979 Nepean Highway,  Moorabbin,  10am - 5pm each day.
Map Reference - MELWAYS 77D5

There will be many suppliers exhibiting.
You can purchase lampwork (hand made art glass) beads, gems, findings and tools from all over the world on this exciting weekend.

There is also a members' bead challenge exhibition which is always inspirational.

Also, some completed jewellery pieces made by members will be for sale.

A few of my friends have been working frantically, making glass beads to sell.

Here are a few photos of some of their gorgeous beads,  a mere fraction of what they both have to offer.


Georgie's owls, robots, butterflies and others are available at  Jawjee.

Belinda's beads can be found at Bellissimo Jewels. She has lovely little cupcakes, sugarbeads, large organic focals and many more.

Hope to see you there,

Cheers,

Jenni