Jeff constructs another piece of bespoke furniture for the Liverpool Map; he welds a steel frame together to construct a heavy duty table that will hold each column in place whilst it is being polished.

Column number six is being packed into its final crate today.

This is the second piece ready. Progress feels good.

Today Jeff and I are being interviewed by BBC Radio Newcastle to discuss the project. It is being aired tonight. We are both still working hard in the studio when it is being aired and miss it!

We have also scheduled a photoshoot today with David Williams the photographer, to take some staged photographs of the work in progress.

These images will find their way to this blog later. However, its main purpose is to have some good quality images fit for publication.

We are hoping to pull together a publication next year to accompany this work to explain the content and process.

Today we are packing the very first completed column. John, another member of our little team, has made us six bespoke crates.

Each timber crate is constructed of a sturdy timber frame and lined with heavy-duty plywood.

The inside is lined with a polystyrene outer casing and a foam inner casing. The glass is manually lifted into place by Jeff and Tim.

It is satisfying to write the details on the closed crate; this is the column ready for its journey to its final destination.

It will now be kept in storage in the University until the Liverpool Museum is ready to install it.

IF YOU'RE wondering how we've involved the public in the making of the Liverpool Map then here is a link to some of National Museums Liverpool's blogs on the subject

The polishing of the edges of the six columns is well underway now. Crispin has joined our Liverpool Map team and is tasked with polishing the three edges of each piece and grind the bottom level.

The latter does not require polishing as it will be hidden in the base but still needs to be finished. As there is a height difference between Jeff and Crisping, another foot is welded onto the table to make it easier for Crispin to work at the table.

JEFF meets up with the University press officer and photographer to do an interview and get images taken of the 'work in progress' and to celebrate the successful final firing.

This interview leads to an article in the Liverpool Daily Post and the Sunderland Echo the in the following weeks.

THE final piece has now been fired. This means all six pieces have been fired successfully. Over the next two months, the four sides of each piece will be ground and polished.

The due delivery date is end of August.

Installation is for Autumn this year and the launch is now expected for Spring or summer 2011 with an accompanying publication.

We have a come a long way. There is still a long way to go but the end is in sight now.

OUR carefully orchestrated plan is scuppered when the visitors are directed to the back door rather than the upstairs front door. Still, they are impressed with the progress. It is fulfilling to get to this stage at last. This project has now been in progress for two years.

Plans are made with the LM team to get the stand designed, made and constructed by their contractors.

The final column is shown, ready and waiting to be fired in the kiln. We waited deliberately with this firing to allow the client to see the 'before' and 'after'.

The kiln is switched on later that day.

TOMORROW the Liverpool Museum people are coming to see the work in progress and discuss further details such as the construction of the plinth. We are introduced to Jim who will be actually making the plinth as part of the overall Liverpool Museum installation team. Our Liverpool Map is just a small cog in a much larger project.

Jeff constructs a jig for the polished sample so the client can see how the final might look when installed in its final upright position.

It is exciting and reassuring to finally be able to see the five finished columns together in the order they are meant to be viewed. We site them in the Project Space, which can be viewed from the walkway from the National Glass Centre visitor centre. We are planning to walk the team down tomorrow to introduce them to work from a bird's eye view.