getting back on the torch

[Ben 'Spice' Crowley]

I know that the advice received would vary greatly depending on each person's individual skill level, but I will ask anyway

I haven't been on the torch in close to two months, I only have about a year on the torch and can't claim pro at anything, but I do have what outsiders would call a beginner skill level.

I make marbles pendants and pipes, mostly spoons and vortex'

Any advice on what to do for my first day back on the torch, any projects that are good for re-vamping your knowledge?

[JSR Studio]

i haven't been on the torch for five years. my shop is just about done (i just need gas lines installed). i was planning on doing prep for the first week. no point in moving on until you're prep is clean again. that's just me though. :)

[Aymie]

This is really and simple and not fun but here's what I do. I weld some scrap rods...helps gets my hands warmed back up and practice making things straight and even. Then I pull some points...once again helping me get things even and centered. I only pull points occasionally as I think they are very wasteful and not as sturdy of a handle as a blow tube. Then I do some blow tubes...help me be centered and practice my welds. Then you have a little prep so you can have some fun and have had some basic practice. Just make sure you do some basic crap like that every day and day by day all the kinks will work themselves out. I could never make myself do a week of prep without anything creative...props to you above for such great self discipline.

[Lurch]

Make something way outta your skill level.

It'll help your hands remember what to do. Besides if it comes out, you may end up with a wicked piece.

[JSR Studio]

"disaprine come from within." :P

[Braden Hammond]

hey man did you ever make it to Vansterdam?? someone told me you got turned away to las vegas or something?

[lava flow]

try a goblet- after seven years of making pipes and pendants, nothing takes it back to basic skills like making a symmetrical cup!

[Ben 'Spice' Crowley]

Gr8 advice, thanks to all who answered, and yes skull I got turned away at the airport and it sucks ass, my existence is now waiting til I can get there, I have a job that I'm am trying to get to transfer me to BC but I have no idea if/when that will happen

[Glacier_Arts_Studio]

i was planning on doing prep for the first week. no point in moving on until you're prep is clean again. that's just me though. :)

i haven't been on the torch for a year myself... this is exactly what i am going to do, when i return to it (hopefully soon)... this is the method that i used to get over the learning curve, of going from a red max, to my phantom...


Make something way outta your skill level.

It'll help your hands remember what to do. Besides if it comes out, you may end up with a wicked piece.

i like the way you think and i believe that you should always (every session)
try something, that you think is out of your skill level... knowing how to do anything, starts with knowing, what "not" to do...

[Dom]

I took a break once for about 3 weeks, it was almost like starting from scratch again, but sure enough its like riding a bike.