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Op shopping

Every now and then I go on a mission to find a particular type of glass.  It might be Green Depression Glass, or white glass (which is really hard to find by the way), or like the other day I was on a mission to find non-matching sets of glasses.

These non-matching sets of glasses are also known as Harlequin Glass.  They were really popular in the 1950’s.  It can be tricky to get a complete set of 6 glasses, and more often than not you’ll find at most 5 glasses left in the set.

I didn’t mind what I found.  I had an idea for a necklace in my mind, and I needed the glass to make it happen!

So, I visited all of the Op Shops in Murray Bridge, and managed to find a few assorted glasses.  I was really pleased with what I found, but wondered if I might be able to find some more on a trip to Mount Barker.  Like I said, I was on a mission!

We tried a couple of Op Shops before I found one with THE most helpful volunteer I’ve ever found.  She was more than happy to look out the back to see if she could find what I was looking for.

Success, she found a mis-matched set of 5 shot glasses.  The colours were great, but the glasses were quite small.  Still, it was better than nothing.

“I’ll take them,” I said.  “Don’t worry too much about wrapping them.”

She was a bit taken aback with that comment.  “You’re going to smash them, aren’t you?”

I smiled.  “Yes, I am.”

“Well, if you like recycled glass you have to take a look at this great exhibition at the City Library that is on at the moment.  It’s part of SALA.  The artist has made all of these beads from recycled glass, you should see some of the colours.”

I smiled again.  “That’s actually my work.”

True story!

We talked for a little bit longer, while she told me what her favourite jewellery was from the exhibition, and where all of the Op Shops were in Mount Barker!

Harlequin glass, incomplete sets.  I'll use these to make glass beads

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On my walk this morning…

It’s getting lighter in the mornings.  And brighter!  Hooray!

I am looking forward to being part of the Ink Crush market at Flinders Street Market on Sunday August 16.  I am working on a new range of beads and jewellery especially for the market.  I’ll share some pictures on Thursday!

SALA has been great fun.  From what people are telling me, they are enjoying their visit to the City Library to see my exhibition.  It really is a great space, and at the moment there is a lot of really interesting art in there.  Definitely worth checking out.

Thanks to everyone who supported my Etsy shop sale.  I really appreciate it.  The next sale in my Etsy shop will be February 2016.

Morning Walk Photo

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Colour of the Week – Green Depression Glass

I thought I would take a month to write about my favourite recycled glass colours!

It all started with Green Depression Glass!  I had never used recycled glass to make beads, it hadn’t even occurred to me, until it was time to come up with a brilliant idea for SALA 2009!  It was around the time of the Global Financial Crisis.  My daughter, Ciara, had just been born.  There was a lot of talk about the next Great Depression!  I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like for our family to live through that.

I have always loved Green Depression Glass, the colour is simply beautiful and very reminiscent of that era.  It also has a great story.  It was used in the Great Depression as a stimulus for the economy!

I put one idea with another….and my Anti-Depression Glass exhibition was created!  I exhibited this work at Lustre Galleries for the month of SALA.  I had (from memory) 9 different collections of work.  My favourite collection was the jewellery made from a Green Depression Glass platter.

You will see in the photographs below, the different types of Green Depression Glass jewellery that I have made.  Some of the photographs are of current work that is available, so if you would like to purchase any, simply click on the photograph.  I am taking you to my Etsy shop at the moment because I have a special 30% discount in there.  Simply use the code FLASH30 when you check out.

Long earrings.  Handmade glass beads made from a Green Depression Glass Platter  A Green Depression Glass platter was used to make the beautiful beads in this necklace.

GreenDepBracelet1

 

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SALA at the City Library

I am frantically getting ready for SALA at the City Library!

It’s such a great opportunity to display my work to a new audience, and I’m trying really hard to get it just right.  Some things are working perfectly…others are leaving me a bit disappointed.  Time is running out, and at some stage I will just have to be happy with what I am exhibiting.  This happens every year, and is part of the process for me.

I feel really fortunate that I am able to participate in SALA at the City Library this year.  When I opened the SALA guide I couldn’t believe how many great artists they are exhibiting at the same time!  It’s definitely a perfect place to start the month of SALA.  Our opening is Friday 31 July from 6.00pm until 7.00pm.  The exhibitions will be opened by Councillor Susan Clearihan with emcee Amanda Blair.

Here is a list of the other exhibitors and their exhibitions:

  • Artsparks Collective – Belonging (Featuring Julian Lee, Bruce Marquis, Terry Paterson, Virginia Paterson, Mignon Schneider and Ruth Turner).
  • Bittondi Printmakers
  • Naomi Fry – Creative Journey
  • ACH Group Arts Community – Food for Thought
  • Anna Rigosi – Postcards – A Narrative from Adelaide
  • Dan Withey – The Collections Project

To find out more about the exhibitions please visit the SALA guide or the Adelaide City Library Website.

Here is one of the pieces that will be on display; one that I am happy with!

Lariat style necklace made with handmade recycled glass beads by Julie Frahm

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On my walk this morning…

MorningWalk20150720

 

Freezing cold on my walk this morning!   Frosty grass and icy tin roofs.  Foggy river.  My hands were numb for at least one kilometre!

Then I warmed up.

I have lots of work to do this week to make sure I am ready to set up my SALA exhibitions!  I will have my work in 3 locations around Adelaide.

  • SALA at the City Library opens Friday July 31.  From 6.00pm until 7.00pm.  The exhibitions will be officially opened by Councillor Susan Clearihan and emcee Amanda Blair.  If you can’t make it to the opening the exhibitions will be on display until September 1.  More information here.  I will have a collection of recycled glass jewellery inspired by flowers.
  • SALA at Pepper Street officially opens on Sunday August 2.  The launch will be held from 2-4pm, with a range of activities and art to view.  This exhibition runs until August 28.  It is worth checking out the Pepper Street website for various activities surrounding this exhibition.  I will have a range of Green Depression Glass jewellery available.
  • SALA at T’Arts is a month-long celebration of our artists, with someone “working” in the window each day.  You can visit to see a range of artists, making all sorts of things!  I will have a small range of new jewellery available.
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On my walk this morning…

Morning Walk

The mornings are getting colder and darker, so I need to think about what I am looking forward to over winter:

  • My next newsletter will be sent on Thursday July 2.  I’m trying to decide the colour of the month for July.  This month is brown.  Any suggestions?
  • My next shift at T’Arts is on July 11.  I love spending the day in the shop, and really look forward to connecting with the customers who visit.
  • The Craftapalooza Market!  A special Flinders Street Market event on 18-19 July.  I will be there both days.
  • SALA Festival starts August 1.  I will have some recycled glass bead jewellery in the City Library.  And a small selection of work will be included as part of Pepper Street Art Gallery “Renew” exhibition.
  • A trip to Melbourne in August!  I am going to spend the weekend with my mum.  Can’t wait.

OK, maybe winter won’t be so bad after all.

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Does your mum drink gin?

At the market on the weekend I displayed a small selection of my Bombay Sapphire Gin jewellery (along with some other recycled glass jewellery).  Anyway, the Bombay Sapphire jewellery caught people’s eye because it was displayed with the bottle, and it’s also a beautiful colour.  When I started talking to people about the process of taking the empty bottle through to finished beads and jewellery, there was often that moment where they would say “My mum is a gin drinker, I am going to buy those earrings for her for Mother’s Day.”

Does your mum drink gin?  Or wine?  Or beer?

Maybe she would like a necklace or a pair of earrings like the ones pictured below?  The flower bead necklaces start at $65 for a necklace with 3 flowers.

I have not listed the Bombay Sapphire Gin earrings in my shop, but I have similar pairs from other bottles.  This link will take you to the Coopers Clear version.  If you are interested in the Gin version, please send an email to jules.frahm@gmail.com.

Bombay Sapphire Gin Flower NecklaceBombay Sapphire Gin Earrings

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Sale items…

ExpiringVerySoon

A big thanks to everyone who has supported the sale of items in my Etsy shop.  I have some more items in there expiring very soon, and I am only mentioning it so that you are not sad when they do expire!

In other news, the Reart International Upcycle Exhibition opened tonight, so if you are in Sydney, I hope you get a chance to visit.  Here is a link to the website where all the finalists can be found.

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On my walk this morning…

Morning Walk April 20

  • I had a great time at the Flinders Street Market on the weekend.  Lots of lovely customers.  It was great to see so many people loving the recycled glass jewellery!  I’ll be there again on Saturday May 2.
  • I’m excited about my work being on display as part of the Reart exhibition in Sydney.  It opens to the public on Wednesday.
  • I finished reading “Lost and Found” and loved it!
  • I’m enjoying the slower pace of the school holidays!