1 step forward, 2 steps backwards... $Y$TM's progression

[$Y$TM]

It's been a while since I was on the torch but I am trying to get out in the garage more often now. I've had my gear for a little over 2 years but was not really able to use it that often. I had to work to much to pay it off! Started on a MiniCC and then broke the bank on a Delta Elite. Best thing I've ever bought:D

I am self taught so bear with me (minus one off hand class), it's been a frustrating week.:bangHead:
Here are some of the pieces that didn't break. I'm still having a hard time with the bowls. Getting the holes center, not to big or to small...those sort of issues. Really need to work on shaping. My spoons lack any.

[Kevin Bumble]

good shit nice pics

[smolder holder]

Cool keep em comin

[$Y$TM]

I've been messing around with blow in's/ stuff n' puff techniques. This one was Black Pearl stuffed into silver fumed clear.
Thought this one came out kinda cool. Really like the colors, it has almost an oily appearance to it in the sun.
I finally sunk the bowl decent but had a little trouble on the mouth piece. Pulled to much off and it's sort of an eye brow burner. I need to get more comfortable using cold seals on a preformed mouth piece but have had bad luck with pieces cracking at the seal or falling off at the wrong moment:tantrum:. So i weld all punty seals or work from a point.

[hwcglass]

Looking good.

Cracking issues will go away for the most part over time.

Try and be considerate of the glass's needs. When you are being a bitch to the glass it cracks.

[pipeshawk]

I really like the swirls around your chillum constrictions. Diggin' on the smiley too. Nice work

[$Y$TM]

When you are being a bitch to the glass it cracks.

Funny you say that, I've always noticed when I feel calm and centered the glass will usually flow. And when having a bad day and you try and force the glass, well things usually don't work out. Call me a hippie but I have a theory on that one relating to water and Dr. Masaru Emoto. Glass is a liquid after all.

[$Y$TM]

Diggin' on the smiley too


Thanks! I threw that in one day just cause I needed a good smile. Been trying to steer things in the positive direction as I was headed in the wrong direction for a while.

[Sketchball]

Lookin good my man. great stuff for self-taught. Those I/O's are money if you give it a little stretch in the middle and puff out the mouthpiece.

I dig the chillums, pendants and steam-rollers as well

[$Y$TM]

Made this guy last night. I'm surprised it came out as one of my better ones so far. I was a little too medicated last night:chilling: My friend makes some monster brownies....my hands were a little shaky.

Same tech as the last one I posted. I'm stoked on the bowl on this one. Nice and center and not too big. Could of been a bit longer but it's not as bad as the last one. I think I need to get some bigger tubing to start with.
I think this one is going to my cousin.

[Dom]

You have to melt that in a little more so that the air bubbles have no sharp edges. That can cause the piece to crack.

[$Y$TM]

Thanks for the tip Dom. The air bubbles got a little stretched out when I pulled the mid section. I was afraid to recondense things and repull.
Trying to get those blow ins smoother with less air bubbles, even thought the bubbles create a cool effect they weaken things.

[$Y$TM]

Trying something a little different, my second attempt at a goblet. Stands 6"

[smolder holder]

Nice colors on those stuff and puffs. Those bubbles will sneak up on ya. Goblet is cool to, flaring the foot right is tough.

[Albino Sasquatch]

nice work man! i would say avoid cold seals all together and you will have less of a headache. practice welding your blow tube on nice and smooth and for your mouth piece. you have to practice picking open the holes i would say use a small flame and parctice picking and wleding with a couple blowtubes or scrap pieces so that way your not learning on a piece you want to come out nice.

[smolder holder]

^^do this seriously. Like 20 times in a row at least.

My tech for opening mouthpieces is to heat right where your tube attaches to the piece with a small sharp flame. Pull that out as far as you can before the glass cools. Cut it off as close to where you want the mouthpiece to be as possible. Now just heat up the thin area you just created and use a 7mm rod and stick it to that thin area and pull again. 2 times or so and the glass will be so thin it will open on it's own.

Hope that helps.

[$Y$TM]

Thanks for the tips guys!
You're right Boiseno on flaring the foot. My first attempt there was a little too much glass on one side and when I started the spin it went all crazy. That became scrap.
The second attempt the flare went a little better but I think it could of been with a shorter section, leaving more of a foot and less on the upper portion...if that makes any sense.
All in all it was a fun experiment. Never made one before. Figuring out how to join all the pieces together with only one semi-broken hot finger tool was interesting. I all ready have 2 friends that would like one so looks like I'm gonna try to perfect this one a little better.

[Bo Diddles]

Great work man, the blow-ins have some nice colour and that goblet turned out pretty sweet.
Also, you may already know this but it's not necessarily bubbles that will cause stress, it's sharp bubbles. Just make sure they're heated until they're roundish.

[$Y$TM]

Some flowers for mom on Mother's Day. My first attempt at any sort of sculpting.

[$Y$TM]

Still having fun with this blow in tek. Working on trying to minimize the air bubbles. It's getting there.
Also tried my first attempt at a one piece shirley. Definitely gonna have to work on that one. I find it really hard to pop the bowl hole on things like this where the bowl is out of center from the punty.

[$Y$TM]

A couple from last night. Dry hammer and 2 spoons.

I almost thought I had ruined the hammer. I don't own a big enough set of hot fingers or proper set of gloves, so I had to improvise with some leather work gloves doubled up with a nomex sleeve folded in thirds to get it off the punty:D. Well the nomex sleeve had some stitching in the end of the sleeve that melted and left crap on the glass. Luckily it burned off in the kiln and left no marks. I was a happy camper this morning when I opened the kiln.

I think I might have to change the title of this thread, been feeling more confident with my glass lately. I felt like I stepped it up a notch on the hammer and am getting more consistent with the bowl sinking process.

[$Y$TM]

Been really trying to focus on shape and proper length. Spoons are finally taking some form. The green (GA Clover) was really bubbly though, even with some clear over it.

I'm pretty happy with the chillum. Black with some fume and an unobtanium anti-roll dot. Was the first one I've made with a hollow bowl and not a constriction.

[MarioSC]

Love that fumed onie... I'm curious to see tha bowl on it

[$Y$TM]

Love that fumed onie... I'm curious to see tha bowl on it

Thanks Muk, here ya go. I usually make them with a constriction but thought I'd try something different. In the future I need to blow/ream out the fume part more. I couldn't sink the bowl as deep as I wanted to without possible tagging the fume part. It's still a good finger tip deep though.

[MarioSC]

Thanx for doin that man... Yeah when I didn't see that constriction I had a strong urge to see that bowl. Especialy how thin tha black are had appeared. But looks like a decent size bowl though. Good job on that piece man!

[hwcglass]

love that hitter design; smart and must be fun to make.

[Kato]

Lookin great! I dig the chillum. :)

[krzy23lgs]

very nice work man....love the fume chillum....really like the shape of it

[$Y$TM]

A clown fish sherlock for a friend. Making all the coil pot sections was time consuming but worked good. The orange was trickier to work, had to watch the sublimation. Like all clown fish, there's an anemone close by.

[smolder holder]

That chillum looks killer and the sherlock looks great man! Nice work.

[Sketchball]

very nicely done on that clown sherly - lookin hawt

[$Y$TM]

Didn't have access to a camera so I haven't posted in a while. I purchased a GoPro recently for the HD video, so the pictures aren't excellent. Also broke the bank last night with an order to Glasscraft. Finally! A torch mounted marver, necking tool and lots of color is on it's way. Also got some 25mm to try my first vac stack.

Pictured is my first attempt at sculpting, some quick 'n dirty wrap 'n rakes and still trying to perfect the blow in's. The last one I did, I didn't get one air bubble. Super stoked on that one! Repetition, repetition...

Found out yesterday that one of my pipes now resides half way across the globe in Tahiti on the island of Moorea. Kind of cool, never thought that would happen. It was part of the payment towards a tattoo my friend got over there.

[S.peirce]

really like the sherly bud
nice job

[oregonglassblower]

keep working on that sherlock bend, they took me forever to get down. once you get it though its second nature. Looking good go with the flow

[$Y$TM]

Giggity Giggity! Nothing like some new color, marver and necking tool to play with:D

[LunacyMountain]

Droosl^^^^^^
I love looking at a fresh batch of color

[smolder holder]

Hell heah man! Looks like some fun. Neckimg tools rule. It's about the most used tool in my shop.

[$Y$TM]

Pretty stoked on today. Made my first sale to a local store. Owner was a pretty straight forward dude and gave me some good advice on what to improve on and what his customers are looking for the most.
I would of taken some pics but the pieces were gone before I could get em. Got to pay for the glass and tools I just purchased. That necking tool is a sweet tool. I wish I would of discovered that sooner!

[Julian]

I was eyeing that marver, looks nice. You might enjoy diamond shears, too!

[$Y$TM]

I was eyeing that marver, looks nice. You might enjoy diamond shears, too!

That's next on the list, along with some better hot fingers and some different sized bowl pushes. The shop owner today said that's what most of his customers want, a bigger bowl.
Ya, I'm loving this marver. I don't know how I lived without it before this. It's nice to have something close to the flame with hands free and the ability to be puntied at both ends. Also the construction of it is nice and beefy, not a cheesy hose clamp style.

[Aymie]

You might try sleeving instead of a blow in. The colors you are getting and the oil slick appearance you like are very easy and cheap to get that way. You can sleeve 25 in 32x2.8 or you can go bigger with both. I stick with the 25 because I also use it for other things. With sleeving you get consistent wall thickness, rather than the occasional thick or thin spot where the color didn't blow out evenly.

What size blank are you using for blow ins? I do all mine on points on 50x5. Gives you a nice big open space to blow in to, and can be pulled out to a decent amount of tubing.

Nice progression in general. All my hitters have pushed bowls. I like the functionality better, just one hole to clog rather than a little tube that may need poking. And I like how you can see the change in the mouth piece from one spoon to the next. Keep it up.

[Julian]

Congrats on your first local sale, too! I like taking photos of everything... to bad you missed this classic case of glass.

What size bowl pushes are you using currently? Back in the day in Abq. I used 3/4 for most things, which is pretty large, then 1 inch for huge bowls. Switched to 1/2 inch as the world becomes more reasonable and sometimes 3/8s. I didn't make any pipes for a while, and now I can never find my bowl pushes so I end up using some janky mixture of octagonal reamers. That works pretty well, though. If you had some smaller graphite you can always shape your own bowl push. I've never bought a commercial one.

[$Y$TM]

You might try sleeving instead of a blow in. The colors you are getting and the oil slick appearance you like are very easy and cheap to get that way. You can sleeve 25 in 32x2.8 or you can go bigger with both. I stick with the 25 because I also use it for other things. With sleeving you get consistent wall thickness, rather than the occasional thick or thin spot where the color didn't blow out evenly.

What size blank are you using for blow ins? I do all mine on points on 50x5. Gives you a nice big open space to blow in to, and can be pulled out to a decent amount of tubing.

Nice progression in general. All my hitters have pushed bowls. I like the functionality better, just one hole to clog rather than a little tube that may need poking. And I like how you can see the change in the mouth piece from one spoon to the next. Keep it up.

Thanks for the tips Aymie. Ya right now I've been working smaller stuff. I'll usually coil pot and then stuff that into a flared 26.4mm xtra-hvy wall point. I'm trying to get better at the larger stuff. I tried it once with some 50x5 but it didn't go so well. I just picked up some 34mm with my last color order so that's going to be the next size up until I get used to that then up to 50. Now that I have a proper marving surface I think that will greatly help with encasing/sleeving techs. Been wanting to try some of those cheese grater textured pieces I've been seeing.
Julian, I want to say I'm using a 1/2" push. Gonna have to measure that one. I've always been in the same school of thought as you, I tend to like my bowls not to big. I usually don't pack mongo bowls anyway:chilling: But the customer is always right so I'm going to buy some different sized graphite. So far I've been shaping my own pushes. Curious what everyone else does and what sort of shape they prefer. Rounded push or more of a tapered side with flat bottom? Custom push or store bought with a tungsten pick? Brass over graphite or vise versa?

Man it's a hot one today! A fan might be in order for this one. I think I'm going to rig up my old dirt devil and go at a first attempt to do a clear/fumed vac stack today. Wish me luck!

[$Y$TM]

Haven't posted anything in a while as I was away from the torch for a few months. Feels good to melt some stuff again. I got a whole case of 38mm on the way so I plan on being a little more active the next few months. Trying to set some goals for myself.

Still trying these blow-ins. Trying to get some different colors and pattern effects. I know it's old school but I kinda like the wrap n' rake then sleeved ones. Gives it that little bit of extra pop.

[SpagettiWitDaBALLS]

i got mad love 4 your colors man! keep rocking it!

[Julian]

Looks good, congrats on getting back on the torch!

[$Y$TM]

Getting some prep done for tomorrow. Trying to make it into the garage on a daily basis, or at least try. I set a goal of 50 pieces in 30 days. I know that's probably nothing compared to what most of you produce but it's a start.

[mark206nj]

Just found your progression thread. Well done dude. Looks like you are making nice strides forward. Only one question and one comment: Did you ever try that vac-stack? I found them to be a hell of a lot easier to get air-free tubing (compaired to stick stack). And comment, your pieces are looking more and more consistant, with better shaping, with each post. The only thing I'd change on your spoons would be the angle of the bowl. Do them exactly as you are but just as you are ready to push the bowl, angle the blowhose upwards about 30-40 degrees and then still push straight down. This will give you a bowl that is angled back towards the user so that it is easily visible.

Rage on dude. Btw, I'm so jealous of your delta.

[$Y$TM]

Thanks for the tip Mark, that's something I've been struggling with. I do feel some consistence for once on my bowls, finally getting the holes not to small or to big. Just need to work a little on the angle. Haven't tried the vac stack yet, need to though. I hooked up the vacuum system a few weeks back, I just need to give it a go. Think I'll try some clear fumed rods first though before I go all out.
I love my Delta, I'd sleep with it if I could:D

[$Y$TM]

Here's #1, Black Pearl honeycomb spoon.
Thought I'd break from the usual so I threw a honeycomb in to spice things up a little. Added an opal which was a first for me. Unfortunately there was one small bubble in it.
Also took Marks advice on the angle of the bowl, big difference!

[AdamCotter]

The blow ins are cool, most people just sleeve, I dig seeing somebody claiming a style for thier own. Lookin good. Try using more of your prep for the can part, like 2/3 and pulling the stem a little thinner. Just a tip, but wider cans are nice. Maybe a smaller mouth piece, try closing up the mouthpiece all the way and then puff it out with a piece of 1/2" tubing into the carb nice and round, heat up a ball of clear, stick it on the tip of the mouthpiece, go around it with a butterknife to chill it and then it should snap off giving you a nice clean small opening. Also try holding the piece at a 45 degree angle to the bench to push the bowl, angling a little twords the front.

[crsaz]

bowl angle looks nice on that last one, just keep ragin.


I set a goal of 50 pieces in 30 days
depends on how long your working each day but Id say aim higher say maybe like trying to pack a case in a week or 2. remember repetition repetition repetition and then some more repetition:D

[$Y$TM]

Here's #2-6. Trying some fumed layering stuff over black violet and cobalt.

[$Y$TM]

#7, #8

The sherlock needs some work. Just can't seem to get the flow of them. I need to pull the seam out more before bridging. I keep getting the stem and can to close. The bottom of the joint is good but cant get that wripple out of the inside curve.

[$Y$TM]

#9, #10

Tried something different on 10. Hand pulled sparkle blue (cobalt 5, clear, disco sparkle) with coil potted dinosaur. I wanted to focus more on shaping with this one. The bowl didn't come out totally perfect. I needed more green in the can area. The blue was a lot stiffer than the green so when I went to sink the bowl it didn't have enough heat base like the green. Made for a not so perfectly round of a bowl.
Need to work on those horns. Mine's more of a spastic whisker.

[smolder holder]

Last spoon looks nice there man!

[$Y$TM]

Looks like I won't make the 50 mark:tongue2: Too much stuff on my plate these days as glass is not my sole endeavor. But at least I have been getting out in the studio more often and feeling more consistent with it. I want to try and branch out and try something besides spoons.

Here's a crappy phone picture of today's project. Working on sherlocks, I really need to get that bend down. This one is really thick!

[Aaron Ellis]

Looking nice. That last spoon looks great.
For that bend in the lock just get the glass nice and hot and let gravity shape it. Small puffs if needed to keep I.D. in check.
Your welds are looking nice to. Good job man.

[playa00]

Getting some prep done for tomorrow. Trying to make it into the garage on a daily basis, or at least try. I set a goal of 50 pieces in 30 days. I know that's probably nothing compared to what most of you produce but it's a start.



How do you make this prep just by flaring out those smaller tubes out to make a bigger tube? sorry a newb question but i have been practicing out to get this prep started

[$Y$TM]

How do you make this prep just by flaring out those smaller tubes out to make a bigger tube? sorry a newb question but i have been practicing out to get this prep started

They are just points pulled so I have them ready to go. I like to keep them closed till I'm ready to use so no dust gets inside. I'll keep them covered in a box so I just pull a couple out, preheat in kiln and your ready to go. They are 38mm heavy wall as I'm trying to work up to the 50mm.
I have found it easier to do a bunch of em at once. Sort of assembly line style. An hour or 2 of pulling points, and you really start to get the hang of it so they come out nice and straight.

[smolder holder]

Have you tried using blowtubes instead of pulling points? Pulling points is great practice but you waste glass. Blowtubes can be used over and over till they are to short then you weld two together.

I find it really speeds prep up. Also do you have a v-necker? Thats the other side of the equation for using blowtubes. You constrict with the v-necker which stresses the glass where you constrict and let it cool for a couple seconds. Give a quick sideways tug or two and the tube will snap right where your constriction is. Weld on a blowtube where the constriction was created. Repeat.

I find corks to be a huge time saver too. Plug the end of yout tube with a cork so when you attach the blowtube you have pressure to even out the weld with a puff or two.

Hope that helps.

[$Y$TM]

Also do you have a v-necker?

Here's a quick shot of my set up. Got that v-necker! So glad I bought that thing. It has really helped my shaping. I didn't like it on the bench so I built a custom bracket to piggy back it on the marver.
As for points versus blowtubes, I kind of use a bit of both. Usually start stuff on a half point(?). I'll do the sleeve/blowin, close down and shape a mouth piece, punty with blowtube, rip off point blowtube and shape bowl/can.
Thanks for the necking tip Smolder!

[smolder holder]

I've gotta get me one of the graphite V's. I cant use my stainless one for shaping, it leaves scum on the surface.

[$Y$TM]

Here's a better picture of the sherlock. I used too much silver fume IMO. Came out piss yellow! Getting better on the on my welds though.
Also a simple ISO spoon and a coilpot honeycomb attempt. I like how the carb came out on the coilpot piece. Finially getting the hang of adding a color wrap to the carb. I forgot who posted the tip about making a start bubble in the glob of color you are adding to the carb. That was the key for me!
And my first attempt at a GonG slide. It started to crack before I added the horns. I thought I had chased everything back and was OK but the minute I added the horns it popped. The hand pulled alien tech rod is some cool shit, I only have a few rods of it though.

[$Y$TM]

I've gotta get me one of the graphite V's. I cant use my stainless one for shaping, it leaves scum on the surface.

This one is a griffin glass tools. It works great and is smooth as butter!

[Bunyip]

Someone will love that piss yellow, I'm sure. I think it looks pretty cool myself. Good stuff.

[$Y$TM]

Someone will love that piss yellow, I'm sure. I think it looks pretty cool myself. Good stuff.

Thanks, that is what I'm hoping. It was English Ivy so I guess I was expecting more from the color. It still looks cool though.

[Boozeclues]

english ivy likes to throw up when not encased in my experience. I like your shaping

[$Y$TM]

Tried something completely different tonight. This was my first attempt at doing a disk flip and a fillachello. Trying to push my comfort levels a little and branch out.

[smolder holder]

Nice work stepping out of your comfort zone.

[$Y$TM]

Fooling around with the cheese grater.

[Amorphous]

love the grey/yellow, it looks "refined" if that word can be applied to functional art.

[LRG]

Nice work!!!Was gunna give you sum tips on having a hard time with the bowls. Getting the holes center, not to big or to small...but that was year ago lol but looka like you got it under control ..

[eyeseeglass]

Your pipes look great! I love seeing peoples progression. I can't wait to see you making some nice sherlocks and side cars soon!

[$Y$TM]

I've had a few requests from friends for some ocean themed pieces so I've been messing around with some jellyfish. The first one (not shown) I did the encasing in the wrong order so the cap/main body of the jelly got a little deformed and not nice n' round. The second one (pict#2) I did the encasing right but didn't like the sharp air bubbles it trapped around the tentacles, plus I got the area to warm while encasing so the tentacles lost some of their definition.

I had to step back and analyze things for a second. Why not make the jelly on a rod, insert into tube, seal it off and vacuum the air out. Love those "Ahhh Ha!" moments!
So I made a small one (pict#1,3) on 7mm and put it inside some 14mm. I like the results! Even though some air bubbles got trapped they are nice and round and kind of add to the underwater effect plus the tentacles stayed nice and crisp.
I think I'm going to have to make some detailed shrooms with this tech:mushroom:

[smolder holder]

Try making them the same way you make a mushroom. Make some cane with clear encased silver color or fuming (this will be the tentacles so space them out to give some depth), lay it on a rod alternating with clear to give a layered effect and pull out to desired thickness. Cap with color for the head of the jelly id recomend amber purple or somerhing with soft working charictaristics and push it just like a mushroom. Makes nice looking jellies after a little practice.

[$Y$TM]

^^^^You must spread some reputation around before....
Thanks Smolder! Gonna try that next time

[$Y$TM]

A few more here...

[Aaron Ellis]

The one in the fourth pic is sweet man I Like the fifth pic too

[blueflame glass worxs]

just keep doing it and when you have questions hit people up on here for help, and you ll get it ,someones
always willing to help you. And when you get some money up, check into a class or two, then you will really storm for ward.

[$Y$TM]

An attempt at a picture millie. Was supposed to be a shark but came out more like a rabid, tailless guppie.

[RamblezMarblez]

Looks like a seal...

[$Y$TM]

After a few of these a think i got the design down. Unfortunately this one didn't survive the kiln. It had a small crescent shaped crack where the color joined the clear. Not to sure why it popped. I didn't make the bead then join to the clear, so it's not a question of bad seal. It was made by building a gather on the clear then shaping. This thing was totally melted in.

[gambitglass]

even though you worked the bead on after the jelly it still looks to have an acute angle in the glass which will cause stress i believe. looks nice though

[$Y$TM]

Ya I was kind of noticing that upon further inspection. I had no problems with all the others I have made in the exact fashion though. Of course the jellies came out no where near as nice. Oh well! Practice, practice, practice...

[$Y$TM]

So I finally got to collab with another local artist, Christina Cody. It's has been a great experience getting to see someone else manipulate the glass.
The first night she showed me what's up with picture millies. I helped with the prep of the stringers, she did most of the body, I made the fins and we took turns heating this giant mass of glass to be pulled. Hottest I've ever worked!! Really stoked on the results!

The second night we worked on a sherlock together. I made the tubing, she shaped the pieces while I got a marble made and then I put everything together. Since it was getting late I jumped the gun and took it off the punty to early and forgot for her to add a millie. Oh well, next time. It made for a really fun evening.

I also came home with a nice collection of chips done by CC. I'll use all except for the Waldo, that one's a keeper:bouncy:

[Aymie]

I love that girl. Miss her terribly. Nice stuff. Kiss her for me next time you see her.

[$Y$TM]

I love that girl. Miss her terribly. Nice stuff. Kiss her for me next time you see her.

Aymie, I'll tell her you said hello:kiss:

[Aymie]

She is fun to work with. I did my first ever collab with her at the FFO in Dallas. She is why we won first place.

[$Y$TM]

^^^That's cool! She has some talent and is a way cool person to chill with. I look forward to learning more from her!

[$Y$TM]

Reef sherlock with the collab millie on the front and a first attempt at an oil rig. It was done on 38mm heavy, has a fixed stem, 14 mm GG joint with quartz nail and a doughnut mouthpiece. The millie is a Christina Cody. I like it! It rumbles cause it's a straight shot but I think it would of been better with a diffuser of some sort.

[Matt P]

I like the rig, the restrictions look great! Really even and consistant. I also like the proportions in the can. Great work man.

[eyeseeglass]

I agree those restrictions are quite proper! Millis are so fun to make too!

[$Y$TM]

Right as I was starting to get on a roll I had to go and break my left wrist skateboarding:bangHead: Looks like a month or two hiatus:wes: Time to do some reading up on some different techniques.

[Hazeey]

That sucks about the wrist, stuff looks nice though. Hang in there

[$Y$TM]

Stoked to get that cast off! I managed a few things with it on but it wasn't easy. I managed a pretty good shot glass and a couple dishes n' dabbers just to pass some time.
I made this the other night for a friend for his lady. I've made a few in the past but this is the first with a marble implosion for the stamens. I wish I would of used a lighter color for the implosion though.

[ROGUE]

What colors are the petals. I've tried to get that combo to work so many times, but I always boil it.

[$Y$TM]

What colors are the petals. I've tried to get that combo to work so many times, but I always boil it.

GA Yellow crayon. Just work it further out in the flame and use a nice gentle, bushy flame. Took me a while myself to get those crayon/cadmium colors to not boil. Still working on red though , seems to want a higher temp to get to a working consistence, but brings it closer to subliming temperatures... or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

[$Y$TM]

419944199541996 Amber pocket Sherlock with gold and silver fume implosion marble. The photos don't do this one justice, in the sunlight it really catches the rays. The marble came out interesting, implosion flower with a honeycomb center. Also a simple spoon. I'm liking this chinese amber rod, it handles almost better than clear.

[BK]

nice!

[ROGUE]

Thanx for the advice, it's just so expensive to keep experimenting with. I can never get it hot enough to move without boiling it. I can get it just about to temperature, but then it just bubbles and I lose the whole thing DOH!
GA Yellow crayon. Just work it further out in the flame and use a nice gentle, bushy flame. Took me a while myself to get those crayon/cadmium colors to not boil. Still working on red though , seems to want a higher temp to get to a working consistence, but brings it closer to subliming temperatures... or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

[hashmasta-kut]

i use a small fairly hissy oxy rich flame with these types with a gtt. not super gentle, a bit more oxy seems to keep the flame cooler..

[$Y$TM]

Ya that's a tough one Rogue, keep at it. One day it will just click.
I guess now that I think of it I do use a little more O2 but I usually crank the outer dial on my GTT so the flame is broader and not sharp and focused, like the inner/top/blue knobs(?) control. So I guess that's what my definition of an oxidizing bushy flame:) Thanks for the advice Hashmasta!

[hashmasta-kut]

i'm with you, broaden the flame by using minimal blue knob for sure :)

[ROGUE]

Wow, thanx a lot for the advice guys, I really appreciate it. I would give you rep if I could figure out how lol

[$Y$TM]

Trying something different on the sherlock shaping. I'm getting the seams down better, I just need to get things a little straighter before attaching the bridge.458154581345814

[RioGlass]

I really like the bottom the most. Overall pretty awesome.

[$Y$TM]

This piece had a flaw in it so it was a perfect candidate for a first electroforming attempt. I'll keep this for one for myself.

[truedef]

Keep the flame away from that cooper...

[$Y$TM]

Ya I was thinking about that after I coated it. It will probably just be a piece in my glass graveyard. Thanks for the heads up though, no copper fumes for me!

[truedef]

Is the electroforming equipment expensive?

[$Y$TM]

Is the electroforming equipment expensive?

Depends on how big of a power source you buy. I paid like $110 for a new Mastech 5amp/30v power supply on Ebay, conductive paint for $30 +shipping: brightner is optional, $10 battery acid from auto parts store, Copper Sulfate crystals from gardening center $20 and distilled water from grocery store for $5.

[$Y$TM]

A shot glass made for my friends dad. It could of been taller by like 1/2 inch. 1.5 oz didn't fit all the way.

[$Y$TM]

Been making more marbles as of late. Had to change things up a bit.

[Matt P]

I really like that shot glass, looks great.

[$Y$TM]

Some more shooters. Trying to mix it up a little with an attempt at some incalmo. Also a reef marble that I've been having fun making.

[$Y$TM]

Here's one that I sold on Facebook. Measured 1.25". These are tricky to photograph! To the naked eye everything looks great but magnifying with a lens really shows every minor flaw, airbubble/scuz.

[$Y$TM]

More fun with rollers! I'm working on those crayon colors. Only had one small spot boil on this one.

[$Y$TM]

Been kind of stuck in a rut with the hollow work lately, first pipe in a while...

[$Y$TM]

One of my Jellyfish Dabbers

[$Y$TM]

Don't forget your gas mask! Fume Cloud Marble 1.035"

[$Y$TM]

Some more recent stuff

[$Y$TM]

A few more reef themed pieces

[$Y$TM]

1.75" Reef paperweight. A Christmas gift for Grandma!