That's Some Terrifying Childhood, You Got There.

Normally on Wednesday mornings second year glass have a life drawing class together with first and second year jewellery. However today we went along to the Museum of Childhood (Edinburgh) to do some drawings there. We got to use any materials and scale we wanted which was really great as normally we are quite directed and this can feel restrictive. The museum houses a huge collection with cabinets filled to the brim with all sorts of unusual bits and pieces- a lot of it is quite creepy and unnerving! I bet you, you never had a genuine African voodoo doll (complete with real bones and various 'powders') or a bone wrapped in a rag (which also posed as a doll!)?! Although there is also some really fun toys I could imagine myself playing with like this great animal set!

Elephants in hats?! What larks!

As well as picking out this years Christmas presents (I also loved some of the old puppet theatres! Take note!) I managed to get some drawings done. The opportunity to try very detailed drawings in ink had never really came my way- partially because I don't have the concentration to draw and I try to avoid it as much as possible- so I decided to set myself a challenge. During the two and a half hours I spent in the museum I made three drawings, admittedly each in a different state of completion. Even though they're quite simple, and despite the fact that ink went everywhere I really enjoyed myself! And you will never guess what happened when I got back to the studio- I spent my afternoon making drawings without having a tutor practically force me into it for the first time since leaving school three years ago! Today should probably be counted as a success.

An African doll. I love the beading and his little face.

A Japanese fan brought back from the brink of drawing distruction.

A puppet stage.