Tuesday 1 April 2014

Big J..



 'Mesmerizing' Like a moth to a flame..


Colour changing from Ice White to Warm White

A few weeks before Christmas 2013, the tenants of the workshops within the Ruskin Glass Centre had a meeting to discuss what decorations will be around the centre.. This was going to be my first Christmas with these guy's and I wanted to make a bit of a show.

But not just that..

My workshop is behind the Cafe, down a narrow corridor from the main thoroughfare, and because of this I know of, and have seen people walk around the centre and not come down the corridor towards my space.

What to do.?? I need to attract people into my workshop..

I've been collecting the Fentimans lemonade and Cola bottles from the Cafe recycling bin for a while and was just waiting for the right thing to make with these wonderful old style bottles.

The other thing is.. Do I just want to make some Christmas decorations, or should I make something that can stay there after everyone else has taken down theirs.

I tested out a couple of methods of holding the bottles to some timber, and got it..

Then I just thought, I've got to do it..  J

Not just any old J, but mine.
Lynn and I came up with my JH back in 1991/92 When I was in college and was thinking of starting my own business.

Here's a link to my JH stamp click on this 

So I set out a J on a sheet of scrap ply, this took a lot longer then you think. To scale it up to just over 5ft tall.. within a few days and with 400 LED's and an old collectible woodworking magazine, chain, fittings and then black pigments mixed with a binder. (making the correct quantity, rather than buying black satin paint)


Here it is done, and it really gets noticed.

I've had a few offers for it (it's not for sale) but also some interest from a couple of bars and restaurants for their own signs to be made. I won't be going into business making hundreds of these, but will be making ones that interest me. So numbers will be limited...

So if you would like something like this, call me.

I can make it, then I'll post it on here and show everyone else..


All the best

Jamie