From hesitating over press releases and photographs to securing a tiny magazine mention and an unexpected full-page feature, promoting my first solo show was another learning curve. I share my experiences with press and publicity, the surprises along the way, and what I'd do differently next time — including the possibility of radio!

450 postcards, 50 posters and a few lessons learned the hard way! In Part Two of my solo exhibition promotion story, I share my adventures with printed publicity, from missed opportunities and road closures to discovering that sometimes less really is more.

When it came to promoting my first solo show, I knew I couldn't just put up a few Instagram posts and hope for the best. From Reels and local Facebook groups to collaborations and my small but mighty newsletter list, I'm looking back at what I tried, what worked and what I'd do differently.

What really happens when you host a preview night for your first solo show? I’m looking back at what worked, what didn’t, the lessons I learnt and whether I’d do it again — plus the rather bizarre version my subconscious decided to stage nearly two weeks later.

The solo show is done and dusted. After more than a year of planning, making, worrying and very little sleep, I’m looking back at what actually happened — the disasters, the weather, the wonderful people who helped, the sales, the lessons and what happens to the work now the gallery doors have closed.

How did I get to one week out? With my first solo exhibition almost here, I’m juggling unfinished glass, promotion, logistics, road closures and a growing list of things I wish I’d done sooner. Somewhere amongst the panic, though, I’m also realising just how much I’ve learned along the way.

With less than three weeks until my first solo exhibition, I've been reflecting on missed deadlines, the return of my trusty lists, and some unexpected changes to my glassmaking process. Sometimes giving yourself permission to step back is exactly what allows creativity to move forwards.

With five weeks to go until my first solo exhibition, I thought the biggest challenge would be finishing the work. Instead, I've found myself battling insomnia, an overactive immune system, and a mind capable of catastrophising every possible scenario. From road closures and broken glass to forgotten dates and empty preview nights, this fortnight's blog is an honest reflection on learning to quieten the "what ifs", be kinder to myself, and remember just how far this journey has already taken me.

Preparing for a solo exhibition isn't just about creating artwork. It's also about balancing deadlines, organising the countless details behind the scenes and remembering why you create in the first place. As my exhibition draws closer, I've realised what I'd like to rediscover once it's all over.

With just two months until my solo exhibition, I've realised that creating the artwork is only half the story. From deciding which pieces become fine art prints to working out stock levels, display ideas and balancing costs with confidence, this week's diary shares the hidden work that goes into preparing for a solo show—and why I'm starting to feel the pressure.

What I thought would be a quieter year quickly turned into a perfect storm of deadlines, inventory lists, framing and deliveries. Between two exhibitions, a solo show on the horizon and the realisation that being an artist involves far more than just making, this felt like a valuable—and occasionally overwhelming—dry run for August.

With 13 weeks to go, I’ve started shifting focus from making the work to putting it out into the world. From magazine features to postcards and local noticeboards, this is a reflection on the realities of promoting a solo show—and the thoughts that come with being seen.

Working on three new glass pieces, I thought I was starting to understand my process.

But one success, one near miss, and one complete failure quickly reminded me that glass is still very much in control—and that progress isn’t always consistent.

After my first event of the year, a quiet question stayed with me: what if the originals don’t sell?

That small thought opened the door to a series of fears I wasn’t expecting—about time, visibility, balance, and whether I’m truly ready for my solo show. This is an honest reflection on learning to carry those fears, rather than trying to silence them.

A behind-the-scenes look at the financial reality of preparing for a solo show — from framing and materials to pricing decisions, and the mindset shift needed to see it as an investment rather than a cost.

As I take the first steps in marketing my solo exhibition, I begin with the poster — navigating design decisions, letting go of pressure, and figuring things out as I go.

Five larger glass landscapes, each revealing something different: from unexpected successes to frustrating setbacks, and the lessons hidden inside each firing.

What happens when someone who teaches mentoring becomes the mentee? From kiln shelves to business strategy, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how mentoring is shaping my growth as an artist.

A behind-the-scenes reflection on learning how to work with light in my landscapes — exploring direction, strength, and spread, and finding ways to suggest light rather than describe it.

When time and access to the studio are limited, progress takes other forms. This post explores planning, learning, and quiet forward motion as I prepare for my upcoming solo show.