Repurposing Glass Jars at AMC Gardens

Excited to be running the jars/bottles decorating activity transforming them into lanterns to take home on 7th Dec 4-7pm at AMC Gardens, Nottingham part of the Garden Lights Community Event. We will take inspiration from what is happening around us, there will be lots of entertainment and participation as you can see from their website. Can even try your hand at rowing like the Meadows Olympians!
There are some photos from this fab community event on the AMC Gardens Gallery page

A small selection of the transformed jars and bottles into lanterns. We used Glow sticks for gentle and safe light.

Lovely feedback from one of the event's organisers Kate: 'Thank you for supporting our Garden Lights event. The visitors seemed to really enjoyed taking part in your activity – I had quite a few people come up to me and show me their painted glass jars. Everyone seemed very proud of what they had made, which was nice.'

I enjoyed  running the activity  very much and meeting so many friendly Meadows residents.

Summer Holiday Ideas Jar

Stuck for ideas how to entertain the family during the holiday? Make a jar for inspiration and plans with the kids. See my last year blog post and get creative:


http://craftyglassnottingham.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/summer-holiday-ideas.html

Drying Herbs for Health and Well-being

Las year I posted about my experiences drying and using herbs and flowers for health and well-being, have a look here.
This year I'm drying herbs again, using the Transition Sherwood Community Food Garden shed and herbs.

Some of the herbs are foraged, some are from my back garden, some- from my Transition plot, some- from the Shared Herb plot.
 So far this year I have stored (in glass jars of course): elderflower, thyme, Greek oregano, marjoram and lavender. I'm going to share the herbs and my knowledge how to use them with the garden group and during a community event in the autumn.

Part of one of the Transition Circles, The Shared Herb Plot is on the right

Reflection on Workshop: Inspired by Sustainability

Check out the post on the Transition Sherwood website  about the activities at Sherwood Community Centre and the Transition Garden during the first day of Sherwood Art Week including my workshop Inspired by Sustainability

The kids wandered in the garden and then drew on the donated CD's (full with data not needed any more) and transformed them into beautiful decorations to take home. You could really see where did they get their inspiration from. The flowering chives, daisies, sage  were very popular.
Not just the CD's, the ribbons and elastic are reclaimed as well.
At the end we created signs for some of the shared areas re-using more CD's : compost and herb plot. Will do some more with the garden members and volunteers soon.

My Art in Shop for Sherwood Art Week 2013

Here are some photo's from my Art display at Ania Polish Restaurant, 558 Mansfield Road. I'm taking them down at the end of the week.
In my work I'm exploring several topics:  environment, health and wellbeing, community and creativity and how they connect with each other. 
Thank you Ania and staff for being so friendly and hospitable.

Memories of walks. Looking out

Memories of walks. Looking in

So many reflections from the layers of glass...
Also the view changes depending on the time and the weather.
I have used found bottles, painted them and hanged them from the frame with crochetted chains. Reclaimed wooden frame and beads. The dry wild flowers are gathered on my strolls in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
More nature memories inside the restaurant.
The first bottle was inspired by a summer walk through the wheat fields at Welbeck Estate, Nottinghamshire.
 The second bottle is just play with colours and patterns.
The tea light holders remind me of so many local foraging walks, making and drinking delicious cordials and elderflower champane.



http://www.crafty-glass.co.uk/

   

Bottles: A Walk at Welbeck Estate; Colours and Patterns

Elderflowers, Berries and Seeds

 

Artist Statement for Sherwood Art Week 2013

This is what I prepared as  Artist Statement to be displayed alongside my work at Ania  Polish Restaurant, on Mansfield Road, for Sherwood Art Week 2013:

Vesse Ashley

Originally from Bulgaria, I have been living in Nottingham, near Sherwood for the last 12 years.

I create and teach glass painting on reclaimed glasses, bottles, jars, CD's, often incorporating recycled and natural materials.

In my work I'm exploring several topics: identity, environment, health, community and creativity and how they connect with each other.

At my workshops people (adults and children) learn how being creative is good for us and the environment whilst having fun too! It's a great way of promoting health and well-being through art. For enquiries and bookings follow the link on my website.

This year as part of SAW I am displaying art works at Ania restaurant inspired by meaningful strolls in and around Nottingham.

I am also running eco-workshops at the Transition Sherwood Community Food Garden on 22^nd June, 2-3pm and 3-4pm- decorating discarded CDs and jars, inspired by the edible plants you see there happily growing, also learn about the past and present of the garden site. Find out from members about Transition Sherwood environmental groups and projects and how to get involved.

Look out for my Yarn Bomb Installation, near The Manor House Pub, called Memory Sticks.

http://www.crafty-glass.co.uk/

@craftyglassUK

http://craftyglassnottingham.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Check out the SAW Website 

and  if  you can do visit Sherwood, Nottingham between 22nd and 30th June, it will be transformed showcasing it's talent and community life.

Art instalation or bird scarers above my raspberries

Trashed or...

Just came across this environmental Blog post by Friends of Glass: Trashed-no place for waste
Check it out and if it makes you stop and think and make an even small change in your recycling and re-usng packaging habits, that will be good for your health and the environment!
I will try to re-use more glass for storing and transporting food, like this picnic jar we took for a day out.

I just put all the ingredients vertically in the jar- radishes, cheese, sallami, olives, cucumber quaters, cherry tomatoes but no dressing, closed it with the lid and then arranged them on the plates at the picnic spot. Can bring dressing or other wet food in a separate jar.

And the best news is the film is going to be shown in Nottingham as part of the
uk green film festival
and I'm going to watch it!
Check out the programme, it might be showing near you as well.

Chestita Baba Marta Part II

On 22th March, as is the Bulgarian tradition, I tied our martenichki on the redcurrant bush in our garden. The other options are to tie them up when you see a swallow or a stork coming back from Africa or a blossoming tree as first signs of Spring. Not much chance in Nottingham, UK, particularly this year. It's still winter here, new snowfall yesterday and today. Baba Marta has been very moody and angry this year.

 To find out who Baba Marta is click here. See also my previous Blog post about the 1st of March tradition.
Last year, 22th March 20012 our family hung our martenichki on a baby apple tree at the Sherwood Community Orchard, planted by Transition Sherwood Garden Members in January 2012 (more about the event here) to bring them health and fertility. Largely they are growing fine despite some mower damage last and this year.

True Yarn Bombing, Bulgarian style.
Spring, come soon please!

Sherwood Art Week 2013

Finally I have registered on the Sherwood Art Week 2013 website as an artist and volunteer. Deadline has been extended to 15th March 2013.
 So if you like Art, Craft, Vibrant Community life browse the new website (lots of interesting suggestions) and get involved! I met lots of wonderful (artists and 'normal') people through my work for SAW since it's 1st year in 2009.
If you want to see my Blog post on SAW 2012 click here.
This year I'm planning to run a workshop, exhibit and may be even do some yarn bombing.
I also loved sitting at the Info table during the week promoting the numerous activities all over Sherwood ...
Are you going to be involved this year and how?

Chestita Baba Marta Part I

On the 1st of March we, Bulgarian people celebrate the beginning of Spring in an unique way,

  and I want to share it with you. Read about this ancient custom  here: http://www.studyenglishtoday.net/martenitsa-bulgarian-tradition.html

 I enjoy crocheting and last year I made martenitsi myself. Making and giving them as gifts had been very enjoyable.This year my Mum is sending some martenitsi from Bulgaria, which is great too.

 These pictures are my virtual gifts to all my Blog readers!
 I wish you all lots of health, laughter, happinesss, love, hope and success!

How do you celebrate Spring?

Love

Vesse

The Urbane Forager: Spring Flowers

Inspiring Blog post from The Urbane Forager: Spring Flowers: Most people associate Spring with blossom and flowers.   But the seasons do not suddenly change, rather they segue, sliding from one into...
It's been freezing here in Nottingham all week but I've seen snowdrops, crocus buds, blackthorn blossom, mini irises, helebores.
What are your sightings of Spring so far? Not far away now.
At home we enjoy my Crab apple and thyme jelly , delicious with cheese. Autumn memories...

 And we pick green leaves from an old onion sitting on a jar full with water, a bit like spring onion but in winter. It's fascinating to see the roots filling in the jar , thursty onion. To grow shoots it gets nutrients stored in the bulb.

Winter memories in a bottle

Few days ago my husband and I visited Bestwood Country Park, an encient Royal hunting ground, steeped in history and now a quiet park,but I forgot to take my camera :(.
 We passed the Winding Engine House, worth visiting when it is open, and continued down the paths. We saw and heard snow falling down  the trees, glimpses of birds and  their songs, occasional walkers( mostly with dogs) greeting and smiling at each other.
We spent about an hour enjoying the beatiful diverse landscape, the peace and quiet just 10 mins from Nottingham!
I gathered some dry wild flowers  with sculptural seedheds, covered in snow. At home I arranged them in a bottle vase I hand painted long time ago and took a picture of them in the garden. Now they will always remind me of this wonderful snowy stroll in January 2013.

Viewing Together | Nottingham Contemporary

 A great programme for elderly people with dementia:
 Viewing Together | Nottingham Contemporary