Back on the Torch: A Photo Story
Due to many factors, I haven't been doing much glassblowing since the conference. I've been making a point the last few days to make at least a little time to blow glass and I've managed to do so with okay results. Anyone that's tried to blow glass knows that learning how to do a good job at it isn't easy. There are days where you end up with only burns and broken glass and I had a few too many of those in a row, to be honest. It can be discouraging to a new person but like anything good in life, it takes a lot of work to get anywhere with it.
Introducing, my improvised homemade setup. The fuzzy box is a kiln without a case.
And Fisher awakens, this is what I've named my Fisher scientific burner. The pilot light and paddles are unique features not common to glassblowing torches anymore.
This is just the small pre-mix centerfire. This torch is actually two in one, a pre-mix center and a surface mix outerfire. Premix just means it mixes inside the torch, surface mix means it mixes outside.
Just the propane on the big surface mix...
Add oxygen and it looks like this!
Nearly finished pipe. Check out that joint, it's the mark of a new glassblower. That is NOT ideal.
For any of my followers in Mexico or Acapulco, this pipe is for sale if you're interested, just contact me! I could send to the US as well, but shipping is much higher.
Check out some of my other recent Steemit Originals!
Gluten Free Blueberry Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins
Acapulco Sunsets: Shot by Shot
Shrimp and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
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Amazing ... a very amazing photo. Thank you for the post .. @lily-da-vine
Nice. I taught myself the basics on a Victor rosebud welding tip and torch. Used that for a good year and a half before I got my Redmax. I haven't blown glass in a while and really want to get back on it. Every time I do I remember how much I like it. I started out on pipes but then moved to jewelry. Tooooooo many pipe artists out there to try and stand out or do anything really unique. The same can be said for the glass jewelry side as well but I find it to have a wider audience than pipes. At least until legalization has started happening.
I decided to move to a place where there was no glass market yet, so that's partially why I'm here in Mexico. There are crazy tarriffs on goods from china especially glass so Mexicans are incentived to produce here, and that's what were seeing starting here now. If I wanted I could be working all day every day on prodo work and still never get through the orders.
Damn! nice opportunity for sure! The glass supply has steadily increased over the last 15 years so there are more producers of stock color rod and tubing now in the US. I still have a massive stock of glass, far too much really, all just waiting to be made into something. I really could use an oxy concentrator/generator that puts out 5L+ since it blows having to rent cylinders and roll tanks. Propane is what it is, but the oxy is always a pain in my ass.
I hear you on oxy, I basically just had to have a friend invest to help me pay for one, then life got ridiculous and it got on hold. I've got plenty of glass now and new tools too, I just am still pretty bad honestly, so it's not very easy for me right now. However, I've got glass fever so I'll stick with it.
Seriously it is just torch time. the more you do it the better you will get. But I do have to say that I have learned a whole lot by watching others work in person. Not to say that I am really any good, especially when I look around me at the abilities and how artistic soooo many glassblowers are... but I enjoy it and my work does sell so it is not all bad. Really I can do some cool stuff but as the artist I see every little imperfection of it, the flaws are so much more apparent. Then others see it and are all, "OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!" which does kinda make me think that I am okay at it.
Just keep at it and you will kick ass if you have the desire and dedication.
The thing with glass is that while its gaining in popularity, it's still hard to get into and many people consider it a damn near magic job. Im like a unicorn here. I tell mexicans i work woth glass and their eyes widen with respect.
HAH HAH! I consider it magic still when I see some of the intense glass art that is made. I can envision possible methods for creating many of the pieces I see, I just don't have the skill to do it. Glass is one of the mediums that allows for the creation of damned near anything, given one has the skill and ability to make it. If you see it in nature, chances are there is someone good enough with glass to make a really close representation.
I hear you on understanding how it's done but not being able to make it happen. That's perhaps the most frustrating thing because I've spent so many hours watching videos, but when I try the tech myself its shit. It's like I know it works, I just haven't gotten it to yet.
Beautiful artwork, thank you for sharing with us!
Glass blowing is such a beautiful art.
It is. And difficult. I remembered how not good I was when getting back on, haha
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