New Year 2022 – Year Of Glass

It’s a new year which means it’s a New Year and expectations are for me slightly scary. Forget New Year resolutions and promises to be a better person which I always break! This year 2022 has been deemed the International Year of Glass. See here So what some might say? Well as a glass artist and a person who participates in several glass societies things are meant to be happening which I am part organising. With my own business Glass Creations I always have plenty of ideas and wish to expand on several so that more of the local community get involved. At Lybster North Lands Creative is one of many organisations waking up after Covid restrictions are being eased and I am popping over there from time to time to advise and ensure that I keep my foot in the door just in case they need a lamp working attraction!!!!!

In September, the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers are belatedly celebrating sixty years since they formed. It will be two years late but better late than never so let us hope it takes place. One week after the BSSG Symposium the German equivalent is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary and the plan is to run a bus trip from Leeds where the BSSG Symposium will finish, to Germany via London and Paris. The latter city has one of the largest glassblowing schools in Europe so a good excuse to take this attraction in.

There are several glassy arty people in Caithness, and I think it will be great to combine our talents to put on a show. It could be titled “Glass from Caithness but not Caithness Glass”! The venue could be the newly opened North Coast Visitor Centre which of course is Thurso’s old Town Hall. Some may wish it remains the same but unfortunately change is the only thing that doesn’t change, and life goes on, evolving in whatever direction we allow it to take.

I have no idea whether plans made today will come into being later in the year but that doesn’t stop me and others planning. In the meantime, I need to get off my backside and into my workshop to make something. Traditionally January is a quiet month but that is not always true. January 2021 was a busy time for me as I received several commissions which proved very fruitful. I do have a couple of commissions now but as there is no deadline then I am left to my own devices. It’s cold and dark in my workshop even though I have new lights and a new floor. The roof still leaks, and I am low on propane and gas. My BOC supplier is on holiday and the boot I use to kick me into motivation is lost!

Happy New Year to you all and I hope it’s a healthy one, full of creativity and enjoyment

Ian