New to Glass Blowing

[Shroomyman]

hello i have been looking to get into glass blowing for a long time now but just now am i doing something about it i live in arvada colorado, and iv been looking for a place to take some lessons but i cant find anyplace that offers classes. i was wondering if anyone could help me out and might know of a place that i can apprentise at or classes

[vetropod]

Go to GlassCraft!!! http://www.glasscraftinc.com/workshops_main.cfm

They're like 10 miles from you! World-class folks teach there. Also, there's a lot of folks in Boulder and Fort Collins, doing just about every kind of glass working that you could be interested in.

[Smoke]

Best advice I could give ya is to do what I and probably a lot of people on this board did. Learn on your own. I suggest picking up Bandhu Dunhams Contemporary Lampworking Volumes 1 & 2 and some instructional videos. Check your local library for lampworking books also, they may have some old ones that can be helpful. Lampworking instructional videos are kinda spendy, so check out YouTube there's a ton on there. Also, you could probably get Operation Pipeworks pretty cheap at a local headshop, it's not an instructional video, but I was able to use it to learn how to make pipes.

As for materials you're gonna need a torch (I suggest a GTT Lynx, but they're like $450, you can find them on ebay or Glasstorchtech.com), a bag of vermiculite (found in gardening section of stores), a crock pot for the vermiculite (a way to cool down your stuff until you can afford a kiln), an oxygen tank (garage sales are the only cheap way to get them), a propane tank, oxygen & propane regulators, and a good fan to vent your shop. Not too mention a ton of glass and tools, which I suggest getting 100-150 bucks saved up and either going to an online supplier near you, or finding a local store. Depending on what state you live in you might need a business license to buy raw glass from a store.

The first thing you wanna do though is get the books and maybe the videos. You will want to read them as much as possible while saving up for the other things. Also, if you can, try finding a rod about 16 inches long and .5 inches in diameter and practice spinning it with one hand. If you want put a goop of honey on the end and spin it fast enough to keep the honey evenly spread on the end. That way when you start you'll have an easier time rotating the glass.

I hope this helps, I probably missed some stuff, but I'm sure other members will fill it in for ya. Good luck.

[Shroomyman]

Go to GlassCraft!!! http://www.glasscraftinc.com/workshops_main.cfm

They're like 10 miles from you! World-class folks teach there. Also, there's a lot of folks in Boulder and Fort Collins, doing just about every kind of glass working that you could be interested in.
i looked at this place but i dont think they offer begginer classes

[mer]

you should give them a call, i bet they have something that would be helpful.

[menty666]

At the very least they can point you to someone that does if they don't.

[Pilgrim]

you should give them a call, i bet they have something that would be helpful.

I 2nd that, and welcome to our world,may your life never be the same...

[Shroomyman]

sick thanks everyone who helped just bought a few movies, this is probley a stupid question but i someone suggested a lynx would your suggest that over the cheetah or just for the price its a good torch

[menty666]

Everyone here is ga ga over the GTT torches and I'm sure if I used one I'd convert too. But...I haven't :)

Given how expensive all this stuff is, at the beginning you should put some cash towards the ventilation and glasses first, then a kiln, then a torch and some glass. The first two are very very important since they keep you from dying and going blind. Given how pricey all this can be, you might consider a small national torch for while you're learning. *Then* step up to a beefy oxy sucker. The 3a is a decent learning torch for the money, and it doesn't break the bank.

Just my two cents.

Of course having said all that, if I were independently wealthy and had the space and means I'd get my hands on a GTT python, a silver suit, and hire Mike Plane to show me how to use the bastard. :D

[Uscalus Storm]

Yep...Still in the middle of the stages :P But listen to menty...He's totally right

[Kool]

sick thanks everyone who helped just bought a few movies, this is probley a stupid question but i someone suggested a lynx would your suggest that over the cheetah or just for the price its a good torch

I've owned both. Either one will be good. The Lynx is probably better for a first torch. But if a Cheetah falls into your lap and it's too good a deal to pass up, it will work just fine for you, too.