A bit of everything as usual, classical engraving, technical engraving and a bit of golf...

Engraving in London at the Most Imaginative Bartender Award - Bombay Sapphire 2014

Hello everyone, I hope that this blog entry finds you fit and well. This year is flying by and once again it has been far too long since I last updated it. So much is happening both in my glass engraving world and in my golf world. In fact you can blame my golf for the lack of blog entries and from December this year it will be even harder to keep up as I take on the Captaincy at Halesworth Golf Club. I have been playing much more of the game this year both through the winter (which I usually try and avoid) and the beginning of summer (which is normally put on hold because of the grass pollen) ...I am tackling it with one anti histamine tablet at night.  I have also dramatically changed my diet / way of eating (Paleo) and I wonder if this may be also helping...you never know.

I will simply add a small selection of photos as usual, which are dated after my last blog entry...which was 11th January??!! What??!! That can't be...but it is!

Tudor Crystal honey pot - hand engraved all round

  

I was visiting a friend who owns a few of my works and decided to take some photos of a couple of them in situ, on the spot where they live, in a lovely well lit cabinet. It was wonderful revisiting them, my Portland Vase study, above, and Triumph of Galatea (yes the painting), below

 Family crests are very popular and I engraved this one under a crystal dome paperweight. The engraving is only about 5cm wide but the dome magnifies it hugely. Super effect.

 I have another very dear client/collector, who has many of my works and she commissioned this hand blown crystal bowl with a pond life scene.

 

 These were rather pretty, and show how the base is a super canvas for lettering so leaving the decoration uninterrupted on the bowl of the glass.

 This was an interesting commission, I had never heard of Northern Soul Dancing before and coincidentally it had just that week been featured on the Television. I believe this was a special gift for a 50th birthday. Heavy Tudor crystal bowl, hand engraving and sandblasting.

 

 Below you can see how tricky artwork can be, I took a photo of this clients ring and created the artwork for this hand engraved tankard from that. Amazing tiny detail in the original metal engraving. Yes I did ask if this was a seal ring and if my engraving should be the other way round, but the decision was that I keep it the same way as the ring.

 Sometimes simple lettering can look amazing around a vessel. This is more expensive of course, but such a lovely effect. Lovely goblets for a wedding couple.

 I received a delightful little rough sketch by email, very pixilated when enlarged and very unclear details, but after a few questions about the details I was able to create an engraving for this lady's daughter. I had great fun with it and it will mean so much more to the daughter I am sure.

 All too often I am asked if I can "rub out" an engraving that someone else has completed. Here was a batch of the most beautiful paperweights, quite large, which had been sandblasted with lettering that was not suitable for the event they were intended for. They were destined for the bin and so I suggested as "rubbing out" was not an option, that I engrave a random bit of contemporary art over each one for a very low price. Every one of the 23 pieces has a unique little bit of art that is signed and dated...and so they live on....

 

And then a simple sandblasted message on a lovely cut crystal vase .....

  

 And here is a subject I had not engraved before over my 31 years of engraving glass, I rather like the subject - Egyptian Scarab on hand blown crystal perfume bottle.

 It was soon  time for the East Anglian Air Ambulance Golf Day at Halesworth Golf Club, which I have played in for 10 years now. A fantastic day which this year raised £12000.00. I always donate the longest drive prizes and this year I hand engraved a large wine goblet with a golfer for the men and a lovely wine glass with Clematis and a bee.

 

 

The photographer was snapping away as usual, I always seem to send it into the right hand bunker when he takes the photo here on the 11th tee. 

Below is a gorgeous crystal decanter for a college presentation, sandblasted in 2 tones.

 This was recently presented to Lee Westwood as he opened the new tunnel under the road between holes at Lindrick Golf Club. I took one look at the photo and saw "hundreds" of windows!!! I decided it had to be sandblasted so went about creating the artwork in photo-shop to create the mask . After it is sandblasted I then go in with my drill and add shading and highlights and other details. The building is at the back and the lettering at the front.

 This year's Spexhall Football Club Golf day was as fantastic as ever and I am always delighted to be asked to engrave all the main prizes. The table just sparkled and looked amazing!

 I have had some tricky subjects to tackle in the past and this one was definitely one of them. It is the Da Vinci Robot, for minimal invasive surgery, stands 6ft tall and weighs 800 kg!! It is the combo of needles and spider look about it that gave me the heebie geebies but is is a wonderful piece of equipment...I believe...I'll take their word for it...eeek!

 

Another honey pot, a very popular subject. This time I had it especially hand blown by my "fav" glass blower Stephen Bradley who decided to add his special touch of colour, wow, it was just beautiful!! Lovely crystal which was a delight to engrave. My client was in USA and was thrilled with it. I ordered 2 so I still have the other blank one in my showroom if anyone fancies ...

 It has 3 bees around the pot.

Well for the time being that is it. I have a few biggies on the go, for example a set of 4 glass panels for a cabinet in a 132 year old yacht! Also a very important presentation in Hong Kong and a few engraving events in London lined up for gin, whisky and perfume.

I am often playing golf at this time of year and I compensate by working Saturdays and Sundays. It is important to phone and make an appointment if you wish to come and see me. My phone has an answer machine as I will get back to you. Remember to speak very clearly please as I have had a few messages lately which are not clear, spoken very fast, and I have not been able to hear the number no matter how often I listen to it.

My emails are glass@lesleypyke.com and llespyke@aol.com The both work but just occasionally one bounces back so it is worth sending to both and of you don't hear back from me just check to make sure I have received it.

Cheers everyone and take care. Remember you only live once, so be happy!!! ♥