cc_bob
09-12-2009, 12:34 AM
I have not had the opportunity of meeting a lot of other lampers. Further more most of the ones I have met previously have been less than approachable (older guys). Today however was quite different.
My day started out taking a drive up to meet "Florino Glass Art" (formerly Plymouth Green Glass). I hung out there for a few hours, made some imploded pendants, and a couple of vortex marbles. It was a great time and I got to share a little of the knowledge I had with someone that appreciated it. This is a really big deal to me because most of the people I know could care less about glass.
We then hopped in the truck and headed into the big city to visit Poncho. This is where my day went from good to absolutely fantastic. After a tour of his shop ( and a cool lathe demo) we took a tour of the neighboring hot shop (which was SOOOO COOOL) we headed over to meet up with a few of Ponchos hot shop buddies and got to hang out with them for about 4 hours, three blowers going at a time. One of them made a large vase with a fish on it that was really cool (I got to help with the hand torch in the Kiln, this was really cool), I can't remember his name but he was a super cool guy. After he was done Poncho made a cool bottom vase for a hooka, nice and thick. We even got to try a couple of gathers and some marvering (I was amazed by the heat that the glory hole threw off). Before leaving we got to check out some coldworking equiptment which was pretty cool as well.
At this point I didn't think the day could possibly get any better but it did. We went back to Poncho's shop and he let us try out a phantom, they are a lot smaller than I thought but hotter than hell. This was my first time on a triple mix and was very impressed with the torch. I don't think it's as hot as my CC but it does have a better flame, cooler, and quiter. Poncho was using a Mirage, and what a nice torch it is, I want one.
Well that was a great glass day by anyone's standard but it get's better. I get home and the first thing I do (at 2:00 AM) is check out the site. I got a PM from Crip telling me that I am now the proud owner if his alien marble (Thor). This will be the first marble that I have ever received from another lampworker. I LOVE marbles so this is a HUGE deal to me. This is partially because of my love for marbles but also because it's from Crip. His thread is one of the most inspiring threads on this forum, it's truly a great thing.
So Thank you Florino, Poncho (and his friends), and Crip for giving me the best glass day I have EVER had. I really appreciated it.
My day started out taking a drive up to meet "Florino Glass Art" (formerly Plymouth Green Glass). I hung out there for a few hours, made some imploded pendants, and a couple of vortex marbles. It was a great time and I got to share a little of the knowledge I had with someone that appreciated it. This is a really big deal to me because most of the people I know could care less about glass.
We then hopped in the truck and headed into the big city to visit Poncho. This is where my day went from good to absolutely fantastic. After a tour of his shop ( and a cool lathe demo) we took a tour of the neighboring hot shop (which was SOOOO COOOL) we headed over to meet up with a few of Ponchos hot shop buddies and got to hang out with them for about 4 hours, three blowers going at a time. One of them made a large vase with a fish on it that was really cool (I got to help with the hand torch in the Kiln, this was really cool), I can't remember his name but he was a super cool guy. After he was done Poncho made a cool bottom vase for a hooka, nice and thick. We even got to try a couple of gathers and some marvering (I was amazed by the heat that the glory hole threw off). Before leaving we got to check out some coldworking equiptment which was pretty cool as well.
At this point I didn't think the day could possibly get any better but it did. We went back to Poncho's shop and he let us try out a phantom, they are a lot smaller than I thought but hotter than hell. This was my first time on a triple mix and was very impressed with the torch. I don't think it's as hot as my CC but it does have a better flame, cooler, and quiter. Poncho was using a Mirage, and what a nice torch it is, I want one.
Well that was a great glass day by anyone's standard but it get's better. I get home and the first thing I do (at 2:00 AM) is check out the site. I got a PM from Crip telling me that I am now the proud owner if his alien marble (Thor). This will be the first marble that I have ever received from another lampworker. I LOVE marbles so this is a HUGE deal to me. This is partially because of my love for marbles but also because it's from Crip. His thread is one of the most inspiring threads on this forum, it's truly a great thing.
So Thank you Florino, Poncho (and his friends), and Crip for giving me the best glass day I have EVER had. I really appreciated it.