c/glassblowers

My attempt at a cobalt blue marble cane went totally wrong

I mixed the batch at 2200 degrees like usual, but the color came out this weird murky purple instead of the deep blue I wanted. Turns out my old batch of cobalt powder from the Portland supply shop had some moisture in it, which messed with the chemistry. Has anyone else had color issues with stored powders, and how do you keep them dry?

TIL most folks in our guild think letting family near the furnace is a bad idea

My brother handing me punties while I work has actually cut down on my setup time and made the whole process smoother...

My take on group critiques flipped after a vase fiasco

I used to think group critiques were just ego strokes. But when a pal showed up with this wobbly, overblown vase and everyone helped fix it, I saw how useful they are. Now I'm a convert.

Unpopular opinion: I miss the days when every studio had its own signature style.

I've been thinking about how glassblowing studios used to have very distinct looks. Back in the day, you could tell who made a piece just by looking at it. For instance, there was a studio near me that always used earthy tones and organic shapes. Now, a lot of work looks similar, with clean lines and bright colors. I think this shift comes from more people buying online and wanting trendy items. It makes me sad because the personal touch is fading. I wish we could bring back some of that individuality.

I was wrong about graphite paddles in glassblowing

I used to think graphite paddles were just for experts or too pricey to bother with (you know, like this). But then I watched a video where a blower used one to shape a perfect bubble without sticking. I got a cheap one online and tried it on a simple ornament. The glass didn't stick at all, and I got a smoother curve than with my wooden tools. Now I use it for most pieces, especially when working with colored glass that marks easily. It's made my finishes a lot cleaner, and I don't fight the material as often. I guess sometimes the right tool just clicks. So, if you've been avoiding them, give it a go.

My glass cracks during annealing because I rushed the cooling. Slowing it down made all the difference.

Back when glass told you its secrets, not a computer

I think new tools are making us forget the basics. Years ago, we learned to read the glass by its glow and how it moved. Now, too many just stare at temperature screens. This leads to simple errors like bubbles or weak spots. I saw a rookie ruin a vase because they trusted a number over the glass's feel. We need to teach hands-on skills along with tech.

Looking at my first glassblowing torch setup versus now

I mean, back when I started, my torch was hooked up to tanks in a dusty corner of the basement, with hoses all tangled and no real vent. I remember using an old fan from a thrift store to clear fumes, which was sketchy but it worked. Last year, I finally got around to redoing the whole area, putting in a proper hood and organizing the gas lines. It's wild how much safer and smoother things run now, and I don't waste time untangling stuff before I can even heat up glass. Finding my early practice beads while cleaning out made me laugh at how rough they were. Maybe it's just me, but taking a weekend to fix up the space made glassblowing feel fresh again. Now, with everything in its spot, I can jump right into making pieces without the old hassle.

Shoutout to glassblowers who ace the cooling stage

I just tried making a drinking tumbler from boro glass over the weekend. After shaping it, I popped it into the kiln for annealing. I programmed a drop of 200 degrees per hour, thinking that was safe. But when I pulled it out this morning, the handle had a fine crack running down one side. It looks like thermal stress got to it. Maybe my drop rate is too quick for boro? How slow do you cool your boro pieces? I have a standard kiln with a timer and temp gauge. Would love to hear how you avoid this kind of thing.

A chance talk with a welder at the hardware store improved my torch technique

TIL my glass paperweight looked like a blob until I fixed my grip

I was trying to make a round paperweight, but it kept coming out flat and weird, like a pancake. I realized I was holding the pipe too tight, so I loosened up and it turned out perfect. What's the silliest mistake you've made that had a simple fix?

Appreciation post: Giving the kiln its full cool time

I used to cut the cooling short to move faster. One piece popping from stress taught me to never skip the wait.

Fixed my sticky glass problem with a graphite trick.

Graphite helps it release clean every time.

I finally kept my blown vase from slumping during the finish

For the longest time, my tall pieces would always droop to one side right when I thought they were set. I figured it was just bad luck or my cheap bench torch. Then, I noticed my buddy at the community studio always wet his newspaper pads before the final shaping. Tried that trick yesterday with my latest vase, and it made all the difference. The extra moisture let me smooth the base without the glass getting too hot and soft. It held its shape all the way into the kiln, and I just unloaded it. Seeing it stand up straight on my worktable is a real win after so many bent failures. It's a small thing, but it makes me feel like I'm actually getting better at this.