Stars & Magic Breakfast

Just about the time I opened my first kiln full of stars, the government were talking about not funding school meals for those that needed them over the holidays. I'd always planned to use my love of all things glassy for good if I could, and have a couple of designs in the book to hopefully help support a couple of my favourite charities - Kicks Count and Hearing Dogs. It seemed logical to me that the stars could help too.

During my brief teaching days in Manchester, I was told to look out for the kids that ate more than usual at lunch, or struggled to concentrate during the day because they hadn't eaten yet, or hadn't slept due to taking care of baby brothers or sisters. The worst was kids turning up with bin bags full of clothes as they'd be chucked out of home. I panic if the my kids school uniform isn't looking perfect, but I'm fully aware of how lucky they, and we currently are. I'm also aware of how quickly that can change.

Magic Breakfast are a charity that provide a healthy breakfast for kids who need it and wrap-around support at school meaning they don't have to wait until lunch to be able to concentrate on lessons. Kids get one chance at childhood and the free education school offers, it's critical they're able to use it. For every star sold I will ensure a donation goes to Magic Breakfast*, I have big ambitions! Stars will always be available in the shop and I'm hoping the small amount each star can donate will add up over time, I want to provide at least 50 breakfasts and wrap around care by Christmas. I'll ensure I make a payment every month to Magic Breakfast that will correspond to the number of stars sold.

Kids need the chance to become stars.

There was no question for me of the first item in the kiln, with the Skiren name and the slight obsession with stars it seemed a logical place to start. I've got at least five different designs for the stars in my little notebook, it's certainly a re-occurring theme! (I think I'll need a good nights sleep before attempting the interlocking ones though).

I started with the one that you can find pretty much everywhere if you google fused glass stars. Getting the right width of strip was a trick though, I have some funny skinny stars somewhere in the glass shed! I found the key to some nice even stars was the placement of the varying strips. Layering the glass to balance in the kiln yielded some odd results as the glass melted through a large drop (I also have some wonky stars!), my detailed technical note helps remember which ones go first ...so professional. 

It maybe a small sketch in a book, but it ensures there's no big "drops" and all the glass is touching and as stable as it can be so less wonky stars! Good unless you like wonky stars I suppose!

Contact us now if you'd like to buy a star, or donate directly to Magic Breakfast using this link. Don't forget the Gift Aid!

* due to Magic Breakfast's Policy, I can't advertise to donate a set amount from each sale of a star, but I have a set amount accounted for and will ensure I publish each month how many breakfasts we've managed to provide.

Skiren Glass

Izzy had a good point. We needed a focus for our glass adventure, and as she was born a little entrepreneur she was keen to potentially head to some small craft fairs with whatever we make. It's great to be told what you need to do by your enthusiastic daughter!

She got me focused and a name was the first port of call. I've always been drawn to the mountains and my happy place is certainly adventuring and spending time under the stars. The skies of Utah, Alaska, the Alps and Iceland are just stunning, and I've always found peace at every stage of my life looking at the night sky...so a name relating to that seemed the most inspiring:

Skiren - Old Norse for clear, bright and glittering skies ⭐

I later found out there's also a Scapa Distillery Single Malt called Skiren... it seemed meant to be!

Welcome to the Glass Shed!

One of my favourite childhood memories was standing was standing watching, fascinated by the glass blower manipulating the molten globe of glass on the end of the blowpipe. I was entranced. I could have stood there all day, the glow, the heat, the skill and the wondrous end results... I've always loved the way light and colour works with glass, it probably started there. I mean, there were other visits, to places like tomoatoe farms, but I've never really felt the same pull for a tomoatoe! 🍅

Many years later an opportunity presented itself and I got to "do something you've always wanted", a recommendation from my lovely neighbour later and I was booked into a weekend glass fusing course at Creative Glass Guild in Bristol. Not only did I get two nights (two whole nights!) to myself, but I got to learn about melting glass! The place was fabulous, packed from floor to ceiling with kilns, glass and friendly staff. The course kept us moving introducing all sorts of techniques,we produced a ton of items and I was sold. The next 18 months were spent saving money, gradually collecting materials and learning, learning, learning. 

The biggest issue was finding somewhere to practice my new hobby. My usual place of residence is in our small bungalow filled with small children, husbands, fish and the most bouncy yellow Labrador ever. However, my genius husband is exactly that... And he set about transforming an old shed into the haven of glassiness I had in my imagination.

Introducing the Glass Shed

My dream house? Those found at the base of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. So we thought we might as well take the opportunity to make a mini New England House on the edge of Southampton, why not?!

We had a solid concrete base, so the walls were removed, boarding painted and replaced with a bigger overlap. Sheeting was put inside as extra protection and insulation installed with a 50mm air gap. This was then boarded everywhere with fire board (you can never be too careful!) and I had the tedious job of filling in the gaps, sanding and painting. Not perfect, but not bad for a shed!

I managed to source an awesome upvc double glazed window from gumtree and an old 1907 stained glass window from a house in Winchester ♥ Dan built the other window frames and a unique Dutch door, which personally I think is the best thing ever! I especially like the top security door lock and star on the door handle (little things). 

Lights were from special offers at John Lewis and Dunelm and the shelving and desk built from steel pipe threaded and painted with wonderful scaffold boards from Southampton Wood Recycling Project .

I also have the most middle class drinks fridge as our 18 year old old Smeg fridge finally decided it couldn't stand multiple repairs and family living anymore, but it'll still make the ideal drinks storage. 

Subconsciously I seem to have copied the colour theme from The Walking Dead, the original house for Rick and the Group as they arrive at Alexandria. So it seemed silly not to finish it off with a few geeky details. It's OK to love glass, light and zombie shows, I promise! 

Now I have the space, it's time to get creating...