2011 Wake Glass Studio, Pics & Regression Thread

[wfsupply]

Hi,

Some of you may know me from Stickam as Kitty. Not really a contributor here due to being a novice, but I've been lurking around since April last year or so reading all I could.

I cant think of a name for my glass yet, but I guess Wake Glass will do for now. You can call me Ben. I'm a Theoretical Physicist for a paying job, and this is my break from that. Without it my mind is always working equations or whats for dinner. My shop is in Wake Forest, North Carolina -- which if you know Raleigh you know Wake Forest.

So this I suppose will be my regression, errr progression thread. I've sold a few dozen pipes in total, everything else you see is sitting here in the shop still. I havent really actively been selling anything just building it up and learning at my pace. What you see is about 200 hours of total torch time, starting on a Red Max and then jumping to a Mirage last month.

My main station is the Mirage which is a dream of a torch. Anyone who considers getting one, dont, just get it. Liquid Oxygen should be here in a few more days, using 160cuft tanks right now and they dont last long. The Kiln is the BlueBird XL which is nice for pipes and twopiecers, but for tabletops I'll have to upgrade. The bench is freshly worked on, and perfectly disorganized. It gets cleaned every now and then.

The second station you see here with the Bethlehem torch (I think its a Bethlehem isnt it Shawn?) is a friend I met on this message board, spgoredo81 who has his progression and his home studio thread here ( http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35017 ). He hangs out a few times a week and we work at the same time. He was also a lot of help setting up the studio you see pictured below, but bad at Poker. :-)

That's about it. Thanks for reading the wall of text.

If you have any suggestions, criticism (constructive!), comments, or feedback its greatly appreciated. I dont know everything (or anything) so dont expect perfection. One day.

Ben

[coloringdan]

nice looking shop and that last green spoon looks is my fav out of the bunch. but, theoretical physicist or pizza delivery guy?

[Chris Vargas]

Stickam Support Group (SSG) FTW!

[wfsupply]

nice looking shop and that last green spoon looks is my fav out of the bunch. but, theoretical physicist or pizza delivery guy?

spgordo81 sold me the papa johns sign for $40. I think I still owe him the money too now that I think about it. I'll sell you that spoon you like for $40, deal? :)


Stickam Support Group (SSG) FTW!

Seems like there's at least a dozen people on stickam in our rooms every day now between the lot of us........... Its a great place!!

[smolder holder]

Sell those suckers!

Mirage is nice man I just got mine a while back, yeah they rock. Nice paint job on yours.

Welcome to the machine 1001110110101001011001

[frillcappa]

Sick mirage, what is that color called?

[wfsupply]

The mirage was painted by gtt, and I'm the second owner. It looks bright orange, not sure what the 'actual' color name is though...... =)

[akmewon]

Sick mirage, what is that color called?

i would call it rasta gold but thats just me.....lol:D

[hashmasta-kut]

orange.

[SevenOut]

Thanks for sharing pics of your studio, Kitty. I usually only get to see 640 x 480 of it :D. Keep melting!

[spgoredo81]

I would call it home depot themed. Liquid would be nice

[Firekist]

that's some of the best photoshopping we've had on here =)

theoretical physicist.. that sounds pretty sweet! does "the big bang theory" show piss you off or make you laugh..?

nice lookin shop, and good progress!

--seth

[Hefe]

Nice shop

I'm in Raleigh

Hit me up sometime,,,I used to work on a mirage (herbie now) if u have any questons.

[metalbone]

for what its worth, I had some blinds like yours in my room when I was a kid, and while playing with fire, that shit went up like a flash, the entire room started to go up. I had to drag a hose at full blast through the house to get it under control and put it out. Since you will be torching not to far from those blinds, you may want to think about some serious fire extinguishers close at hand.

[wfsupply]

that's some of the best photoshopping we've had on here =)

theoretical physicist.. that sounds pretty sweet! does "the big bang theory" show piss you off or make you laugh..?

nice lookin shop, and good progress!

--seth

I hate that show. Even "The Universe" and all that nonsense on discovery channel talks about physics from the late 90's and the early Millennium....... People still think black holes gobble up everything that goes in them........ I'm on the quantum side of things, which means very small. ;)


Nice shop

I'm in Raleigh

Hit me up sometime,,,I used to work on a mirage (herbie now) if u have any questons.

This is like Jesus asking a random person to come pray. Holy hell, El Hefe. :) :) See ya tomorrow, cant wait to see what melts.


for what its worth, I had some blinds like yours in my room when I was a kid, and while playing with fire, that shit went up like a flash, the entire room started to go up. I had to drag a hose at full blast through the house to get it under control and put it out. Since you will be torching not to far from those blinds, you may want to think about some serious fire extinguishers close at hand.

Got two extinguishers and a midget in the back we keep in a cage for emergencies.

[wfsupply]

A new one for today.......... The bubler was me and then I realized I couldnt flatten it or ruin the downstem, so Shawn in all his briliance made a lip like a wine glass for it. First collab piece I think ;)

I need a new camera.

[Headdi Retti's Glass Art Studio]

Sweett Ben, I like it and I love that hammer afew pics up! Man just got home from that funeral ahem...I mean wedding!..it was hard to be that close to you today (few blocks away,Damn).lol.. can't wait to see you this Wednesday , Man your shop is Awesome, and Man I had know idea that Hef was in Raleigh that's fucking sick!...Hefe let me know when you go I Whould love to meet you too Brotha!..I know you just got acouple Herbie's, I have a 40 zenit too! Whooot! and Whould love some tips/insight from all you guyz!...Ben Thx for everything see ya Wednesday let me know a good time to show up!..

[wfsupply]

El Hefe was here today........ Great fun guy to be around and damn what a master at glass...... He worked here on the Mirage all day and between shootin the shit and learning and working he came up with this....

Alien Tech Tubing

Draconis colored (spelling?) horns

Multiple rballs

Marble with wig milli

Bubbler, also has a diffused downstem with 6 or so holes at the bottom of it.

Thanks again for a fun day!! We all learned a lot............ See you tomorrow for the piece pickup. :)

Ben

[Headdi Retti's Glass Art Studio]

Ben so Awesome, sorry I missed out on that , but hope when I arrive on Wednesday that some of that ElHefe Mojo will spread my way, piece looks sic and I know it was Awesome fun hanging with a MasterCraftsman.......On a bright note my daughters 3 rd birthday party went great they had a great time going on a pirates treasure hunt on the farm with all her cousins , family and friends, .....But still sorry I missed out on time with ya'll today, still looking so forward to Wednesday !...even more so now!.... if that's at all possible!.. great work Ben I know you are stoked!..=)

[hippi]

nice dude! i bet you loved that demo! i only watched half of it then i had to run some arons... piece came out sick! now sell all those pipes in ur case haha

[Headdi Retti's Glass Art Studio]

Ben, I wanted to say Thx!, What a great day !. Man it was totally epic for me to be around all that talent, I really appreciate you taking the time to show me everything from coil potting to spoon making, and Kool ass honeycomb's. Your shop is BadAss and your are fun to be around and hang with! And man what a beautiful place!. Shawn Brotha I could hang with you everyday Man you're Awesome!, I love the way you did the ISO spoon on that big blank, totally different tech than the coil pot, I was impressed. I was even more impressed with your r-ball creation fucking sic dude, you will be killing it in no time!.. Thx for the great time!...
Time with the Boss, El Hefe, Thx Remy, what a Fucking incredible opportunity for me to see an absolute Master Craftsman tear it up on Shawn's Beth and on ofc on that BadAss Herbie!..I had an EPIC DAY!...the talent that you possess is actually hard to process its so smooth and linear . Also just to hear your Passion on both glass and Herbie's, Awesome !. It was mezmerizing to watch you in full action a dream come true!..my shop is no where as big but if ever you come this way and need a place to hang for acouple you have it here! your welcome to my humble abode anytime, and can have full use of shop, I will provide whatever you need! Or will atleast try! That goes for you Ben and Shawn also!..

Thx Again for the EPIC DAY!. Will see you again Saturday! Hehh heh heeeeeeee!...It will have to be later in afternoon, got a Dude from Zebulon coming to pick up catamaran in morning!..I need that forsure to pay this months bills, and get a 260, k tank...lol..Iam ready to get on it with the zenit 40!.....=)

[wfsupply]

Thanks man it was good to meet you too. :) This message board solely has provided me as a single individual lampworker to find people for a real glass shop with multiple stations. Never really envisioned so many people interested in glass in one place. :)

Seeya this weekend!

[wfsupply]

The shop has come a long way. Now we have 2 full stations, with a third ready to be built whenever its needed. The last few weeks have been fun. Here's the results in no particular order..... Advice, critique, I'll take all the heat. Thanks everyone.

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes065.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes064.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes062.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes061.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes060.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes059.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes058.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes057.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes056.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes055.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes053.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes052.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes051.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes050.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes049.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes048.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes047.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes045.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes043.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes042.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes066.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes067.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes068.jpg

[wfsupply]

No replies?! Oh noes?!@ I know its janky stuff but geez ;) ;)

[Bo Diddles]

Looks good man, keep practicing...
Maybe if your disappointed in the lack of comments, you should just post pieces that really show your progression, the ones that are a milestone or special.... that's what I do at least.
But anyhoo, looks like you're experimenting a lot with colour, lots of variety there. Keep it up!

[Icarus]

Looks good man, keep practicing...
Maybe if your disappointed in the lack of comments, you should just post pieces that really show your progression, the ones that are a milestone or special.... that's what I do at least.
But anyhoo, looks like you're experimenting a lot with colour, lots of variety there. Keep it up!

Dign ding ding.

Exactly. There's too much there to comment on. I'll find something to note, but by the time I get to the bottom, I've already found three other things to note.

It's looking good. You're on your way. But as for specific feedback or notes, yeah, there's too much there to easily find a place to start.

[frillcappa]

If I had to give a piece of advise, I would stick to one or 2 teks and master them. them move to the next.for example Say you do 100 fumers, and 100 wrap and rakes over the course of a month, I guarentee your work wont be as janky on the other teks you do because your funamentals will be more solid.

[hwcglass]

If I had one piece of advise it would be to build a hood.

It's only one piece of advise so I'll say it twice.

Please. Build yourself a hood.

Keep working hard . . . .

[Kato]

Dood I like that dicro tusk spoon! You really need to go sell that shit man its all coming together real well! Seta on the shitkam!

[wfsupply]

post pieces that really show your progression, the ones that are a milestone or special.... that's what I do at least.
But anyhoo, looks like you're experimenting a lot with colour, lots of variety there. Keep it up!

Thanks much..... Believe it or not, a lot of whats pictured *is* new.... :) I have a "lets make a lot" and "never try to sell or advertise" problem....... I'd rather smash and shatter the practice stuff, the girl likes me to keep it all on a shelf for now instead. :) The new mirage makes you want to play rather than run around town pawning stuff <G>. I might have to pawn stuff if I keep making and not selling though. ;)


If I had to give a piece of advise, I would stick to one or 2 teks and master them. them move to the next.for example Say you do 100 fumers, and 100 wrap and rakes over the course of a month, I guarentee your work wont be as janky on the other teks you do because your funamentals will be more solid.

Good advice, your threads been bookmarked for inspiration for a while. :)


Dood I like that dicro tusk spoon! You really need to go sell that shit man its all coming together real well! Seta on the shitkam!

Thanks Kato.......... Everyone who sees that one in real life goes "wtf?" then sees how it lights then goes "aaah, lol".

[Headdi Retti's Glass Art Studio]

Ben, Dude you have been busy I see!..is that a white and serindipity spoon? Nice funky Tusk spoon, ...Dichro piece is a wind killer forsure..

[hippi]

nice work dude! u got a shelf full!... i did the exact oppsite that fillia said... ive always bounced around on techs.. the ones i liked id do a couple more times then move to the next tech...and when id fall back on the previous tech it would amost always be lookin way sicker... anyway keep at it coolio your getting better and better

[wfsupply]

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes096.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes097.jpg


My second attempt. :) This one is Blue Carmel under Prince's Purple Unique under clear.

[Acme Glassworks]

Nice shop and nice work!

[Acme Glassworks]

Nice shop and nice work!

[wfsupply]

Thanks everyone, here's a few more sherlocks from yesterday.

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes147.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes148.jpg





http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes146.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes145.jpg

[Headdi Retti's Glass Art Studio]

Kool colors Ben, Are you bridging those?..

[hwcglass]

Great work.

You may want to try executing that design as a one piece; with the size you are working with the will come out great. Little faster and no weld issues.

Make the neck pull and bend down for that Sherlock look and then bend up perpendicular to the handle; run a bridge to from you termination point to the blow handle so you can melt in and puff out the bend's bottom and the bowl body. Remove your bridge, repuff the bowl area and make your push.

A double sag is cool too, gives you a nice area to puff out and flatten and the sherlock stands on the front bottom of the bend.

[hashmasta-kut]

nice regression, cool colors.

[wfsupply]

Thanks everyone..... The sherlocks could be one piece, but they are from a tutorial on making two piece with learning to bridge from Bosieno. I'll give your tech a try too hwc, thanks.

Bridging seems like it has plenty of uses, I'm glad I tried it. By the way, what's the best way to disconnect a bridge? Tile nippers? Small flame? I tried both couldnt really tell any difference..

[smolder holder]

Try a flame large enough to get a small section of the bridge hot near where you have it connected to the body and use tweezers to grab the hot section and pull it out.

Then just grab it with tweezers and flamecut the rest off where it connects to the rod you attached to your blowtube. Don't use tile nippers.

Hope that helps

[wfsupply]

Thanks Boiseno, that helps a lot. :) I cant give you more rep, boo. :)

[wfsupply]

First vac stack, used 3" sized color sticks in 50x5. Made a quick pipe off of it too.

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes162.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes161.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes164.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/wakeglass/Pipes163.jpg

[smolder holder]

Nice dude! I need to get my vac on tonight.

[IndiePendent]

Just sit and make like 150 lb. of tubing vac style and you should get the hang of it :) Also, go bigger... make your inner 50 and your outer sleeve 75, 22 lines o' color instead of 16....