Are smart stamps really smart?!

Today was the day I tried Royal Mail's 'smart stamps' out for the first time. I've been a little hesitant about it but as the queue in the Post Office was out the door yesterday I thought I'd give it a go. Seems to be pretty straightforward. Easy to keep tabs on when everything's online too & so much better for the environment :) Maybe today was a turning point in the Handmade Heaven postal system!?

Go Ape photos

After a bit of little brother-hassling (my speciality!), I have got a couple of photos from the 'Go Ape' adventure in the trees at Delamere Forest. I'm looking particularly lovely, I think (in pink)! It was such a good experience and you definitely should give it a go, even if you're not one for heights. You're so safe and secure that you forget about being up high.

Matt and I high, Vix and Lisa low:
Very, very long zip line:
Negotiating more wet wood (note my firm hold on the safety line!):

Handmade Heaven sales plotter map

Spotted this on another blog and thought it was a good idea - a google map showing where all my glassy goodies have gone to so far: Handmade Heaven Sales Plotter Map

Multistripe commission

Just completed a 6-coaster set for a lady in France. She was after the 'Beached' stripes but in blues & complementary colours...

'Sunset' latticeware bowl

Just photographed my latest commission - a fused glass latticeware bowl. It is to match my commissionee's decor so she sent me a photo of a throw and I made a bowl to match. I love the combo of jaffa orange, chocolate and cream with the powder blue. It looks great. I really need to make loads more bowls. They seem to be very popular and don't stay in the studio for very long at all. On this one I switched a few layers so the top and bottom are not an exact repeat. I like the effect and will try it on the next one too I think :)

Cufflink commission

Alongside the bathroom tile order, I am working with an Irish company on cufflinks to be sent out to customers as corporate gifts. Using the corporate colours, here are some sample designs I have just sent out to them.

I'm going ape!

Sunday I am off to Delamere Forest in Cheshire to 'Go Ape'! I am excited and nervous a doing this obstacle course through the treetops but since seeing the one in Grizedale Forest I've been itching to give it a whirl.
Hopefully I will come back all in one piece!

EDIT: I did it! Here's the proof! Photos to follow :)

Etsy HQ order in the kiln

Just put the 'beached' stripy coaster duo order for etsy HQ in the kiln. looking forward to seeing the finished result. if you're after a unique, handmade gift, definitely have a browse round etsy.com :)

The last of batch1 of bathroom tiles is also in the kiln. Only 50 more to go...

Finally! New furniture ...and some glassy work!

After living with hand-me-downs for ages, I finally got round to buying a new dining table and chairs to actually fit the space in my room. I've been living with a mis-matched 1970s table and chairs which were far too big for the space (and very wobbly!) for about 6 years. Now, with the new furniture, I almost feel like a proper grown-up! Here's a couple of pics of the new set in situ:

Along with making furniture, I have also made good progress on a big bathroom tile order (mentioned in previous posts). Here's pics of that so far - they really do look fab!

Shouldn't be but it is rather surreal...!

Just sold my 2nd thing on etsy. Not had much success on that site - lots of people added me as a favourite but only a couple of sales. It's probably down to the bad £ versus $ rate. Anyway, sold one of my 'Beached' coaster duos to one of the etsy crew so it'll be heading to head office! A bit surreal but also pretty cool :) I love the 'Beached' coasters.

Click here to buy your own!

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