Getting Better

Although it kind of happened by accident - I am getting better at this glass blowing thing.

This particular "vase" was done during open studio (less pressure). I had a lot of glass - more than I usually do. And I had gotten the upper two thirds really hot - a nice orange and barely holding its shape. With a couple swings to straighten it out, I then just stood there and waited for the puppy to just get longer and longer and longer. It's a good two and a half feet tall, and reminds me of the "I Dream of Jennie" bottle.

Of course, future attempts to try to recreate the same form have all failed - trying again tonight.

Paperweights

New trick in glass making - if you're tired at the end of a 3 hour studio time, and you don't have the energy to make another vase - make a paperweight. It takes a lot less time, and it still lets you practice with a heavy glass piece.

Although it's really tempting to go out and buy some color to make the paperweight more interesting - it's kind of fun just to play with the clear glass. I think I've mentionned this before, but the advice is not to start with color until you've mastered just forming clear glass - one to two years. So even though, it's relatively easy to work with color on a paperweight, I know it would only be a couple of weeks before I would start coloring vases - and then all bets are off.

And yes, the bubbles are intentional.

More Glass Vases

Glass class has started up again for the Fall - should run until end of December. I'm getting better - forms are becoming more symmetrical, more glass, easier to do the basics, understanding when I screw up. It's good to keep these early pieces, just to see how I improve.

Trying to work now on bigger, thiner, and more controlled pieces. Plus I've started to make paperweights, which take less time and are fun. I'll might even start using a little color on the paperweights, just for practice on using it. We'll see.