Hello everyone!

[JimmyDaGreek]

Hi guys and gals! My name is Jim and I'm looking to get started out with blowing glass mainly as a hobby. I stumbled on to this site while doing a search on how to's and stuff like that. so far I like it!
I am originally from Buffalo,NY but now live in Florida. I am an artist at heart and Love trying new things and using new medium. well I've done pen, pencil, crayon, marker, paint, paper, canvas and wood! Now I wanna do glass. I am interested in more of the glass pipe making as well as beadwork. also, I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction as far as starting out with a low budget. My wife says that if i'm gonna just start out my equipment has to be used, and under $150.00 :tantrum: I know you're saying to the monitor right now "Yeah right! good luck buddy!" but hey ya never know unless you try right? so here I am.......

.......a question as well if I may...
1. Would a propane torch of some sort work? If so, What would you suggest?

as far as a kiln goes I found a decent inexpensive one I can make in my unused kennel.

Well good to be a part of the community well....sorta. hope to learn a bunch from you folks!
- Jim

[Johan]

You can start off real cheap with a "hot head " torch for 20$. Its a propane or mappgas and air torch...real cheap. You will only be able to work soft glass and make beads though. Its a great way to start and learn the basics for a while.


The expensive stuff will be the tools and the glass. You can use this website and do a search for practically every store that sells lampworking supplies.

MAKE SURE you have good ventilation. And again you can use the search engine to find many many threads all about starting up.