Sick of it

[Simeon]

Maybe its just me but Im sick of seeing all these wig wag reversals and rettis, seems like everybody and their moms is humping these techniques dry. Which sucks cause I really like making rettis, not gonna lie though, I can wig-wag but my reversal game is not top notch yet. Maybe Im just craby. I've been sitting in a hospital in Rochester for the last week and I should be on the torch. (Im not sick, its a loved one). Maybe im just craby. :depressed

[SoberstoneGlass]

make something else. make it big, everyone will forget the reversals and retti's then once what you do gets big, you can go "old school" and do some retti/reversal stuff

[wfsupply]

I think not of the technique but the ability to use the technique in many products.....

[bc]

i would check out bi polar

[frillcappa]

lol, is this serious? you should stop blowing glass if you sick of reversals, and you should pick up knitting if your sick of ratichellos

[$Y$TM]

Try fuming with some Lithium instead!

[hwcglass]

First, I wish your loved one good health.

Second, I have been lampworking for a dozen years and I can assure you the feeling you have about glass right now are totally normal. Everyone goes through chapters like this. This is not the last time you will feel this way.

My advise to you is don't blame yourself for feeling badly. Look for what these emotions are trying to teach you.

It takes a very long time to learn - years and years - that lampworking is about you. It's about what you think and about who you are. It's about seeing what you see and feeling the way you feel and most importantly it's about having a method to do something with those understandings.

Because you are a lampworker you can - in physical reality - make something of yourself.

Fuck what other people are doing. Be yourself.

What you want, the way you see it, that's what's important.

Be honest with yourself. Jealousy, envy can be useful rather and positive things when used correctly in the glass shop.

This is a hard job. When it comes to issues like what you are talking about it gets harder the longer you do it, sadly. Your mind is asking you if you want this, if you really want this glass thing.

Cause it's hard. Painful. Embarrassing. Depressing. Infuriating. Belittling. Humbling.

What you need to be asking yourself isn't how you see techniques played out in the market at large but do you really, really want this in your life.

As soon as you decide that you do, the feelings and problems you have will disappear.

To tell the truth of your heart is harder than you might thing. Do you really want this glass thing in your life? Cause if you do, many painful realities will have to be faced.

[hwcglass]

You can do it.

[colonel4bin]

HWC speaks the truth for sure, great advice.......like he said, making glass for a living is by no means easy and we all question ourselves. If you don't like reversals, don't make them, but sometimes we have to live with what the market demands when there are bills to pay......I'd love to rock out paperweights and chandeliers all day, but when it comes down to it that reversal will sell much faster and for more money comparatively.....

[funksizzle]

Can you provide instructions for fuming with lithium? We are talking about batteries right? Should I wear gloves? ? ? ? ? ? Sorry Newbee here

[smolder holder]

^^ :D

[sasch74]

First, I wish your loved one good health.

Second, I have been lampworking for a dozen years and I can assure you the feeling you have about glass right now are totally normal. Everyone goes through chapters like this. This is not the last time you will feel this way.

My advise to you is don't blame yourself for feeling badly. Look for what these emotions are trying to teach you.

It takes a very long time to learn - years and years - that lampworking is about you. It's about what you think and about who you are. It's about seeing what you see and feeling the way you feel and most importantly it's about having a method to do something with those understandings.

Because you are a lampworker you can - in physical reality - make something of yourself.

Fuck what other people are doing. Be yourself.

What you want, the way you see it, that's what's important.

Be honest with yourself. Jealousy, envy can be useful rather and positive things when used correctly in the glass shop.

This is a hard job. When it comes to issues like what you are talking about it gets harder the longer you do it, sadly. Your mind is asking you if you want this, if you really want this glass thing.

Cause it's hard. Painful. Embarrassing. Depressing. Infuriating. Belittling. Humbling.

What you need to be asking yourself isn't how you see techniques played out in the market at large but do you really, really want this in your life.

As soon as you decide that you do, the feelings and problems you have will disappear.

To tell the truth of your heart is harder than you might thing. Do you really want this glass thing in your life? Cause if you do, many painful realities will have to be faced.

I've had my dozen this Year too, and everything is just so true... But if you decide to Carry on there will Be a Point when everything you do at the torch Starts Making Sense and you get really able toactually use the experiences you made in your work. That's good! Thus every piece of Glass you work in your career (Even if you hate it like hell) helps you to get there. Enjoy! Edit: i still Love a nice reversal!

[Mr. Wonka]

Simeon: Try to find something that you are comfortable (and happy) doing, and don’t worry about current trends… it will set your work apart from others. There have always been certain styles and / or techniques that have been overused, which is something that will never change.

Tom

[smolder holder]

Well said tom.

[BlueLilyStudio]

you might find this to be RELEVANT (http://www.hulu.com/watch/210886/portlandia-this-bar-is-over).

[Julian]

I'm not sure why this thread has taken a turn from discussion of overdone techniques to discussion of your mental health, a pep talk about doing your best in life, solid career advice and suggestions for medication.


I'd have to agree that in both beadmaking and pipemaking, the mass of people beat certain techniques to death, then don't notice they're dead, and keep beating them.

People were acting like squig-squags were old and over done in 2005 (which they were then, too) and (headie) rettis were the wave of the future, but it doesn't seem like which patterns are popular has changed at all since then.

[Riley]

if anything the repetitious nature of the industry should build confidence for those with their own vision.

the pitfalls of the overly used techniques should be looked at as just those, pitfalls. new people coming into the game, skip all the steps involved in learning the medium and building a solid foundation from which to grow and expand the medium, and instead get caught in the mundane intricacies of the overly done.

all this amounts to is a growing gap between the fewer unique artists with visions and the mass of work being pumped out day in, day out.

without the average, the unique couldn't shine as bright.

so go out to your studio, forget everything about whats being done right now, and try something new. create anew and push the envelope of progression for everyone. you will be rewarded for your works, and are truly lucky to be in an industry/art form/medium that has the room for you. try being a musician if you think glass is hard to be recognized for.

i see no greater art form to currently work in, at no greater time, that can allow you as much visibility as glass does. i think its wonderful to see so many unique styles blossoming all around, and that one person's vision can really be their own. think about it, you can name an artist who does something you cannot/have not/never thought of. they have forged their path and created a technique or a style that they are known for.

that is a beautiful thing, and should inspire any true artists to rise above the fray, and balance their artistic pursuits with their inevitable production/financial constraints, which will always muddy the waters of pure intent.

[smolder holder]

Can you provide instructions for fuming with lithium? We are talking about batteries right? Should I wear gloves? ? ? ? ? ? Sorry Newbee here

Seriously though don't fume with lithium unless you have a deathwish. Stick to silver and gold.

[Chris Juedemann]

First step is moving out of Iowa.

[hwcglass]

First step is moving out of Iowa.

right. i second that emotion.

[BoroZillacate]

$y$TM funny stuff, but who knows how many n00bs have brain damage already. I heard this from someone before but i have adopted it as my philosophy, Wig wags and wrap and rakes will be out of style the same time people quit getting tribal tattoos. Thats the truth. I havr had enough of the art vs craft discussion and techniques originality talks. Im just out to please myself and make money. All aboard its a good train to be on.

[skip]

Wow I thought reversals where like 2001. There's actually less now than there was 10 years ago.

[Simeon]

I like where I live. So FUCK you. And Im not sure how living in Iowa has anyhting to do with SEEING too many people humping a technique.

read.

fuck.

ok, back on track. I just think that there are plenty of people who have mastered this technique, and I look at them and say, They have already put the time in to totally master this technique and clean it up, but does that make them a better glass blower, cause I can shape shit just the same, I just havent put in the time to master a coloring technique. So why do I waste time trying to master it and still be behind who ever has the work Im looking at.

Answer: I dont waste the time and move on. Otherwise I will always be behind someone.

Whats really important? Shape, even wall thickness, functionality and ergonomic(sp?) for the user. Color is a bonus.

Again. Im crabby. :depressed

[hashmasta-kut]

i think Iowa is not a pipe friendly state?

dont be a bich and crab at the people here you are asking for advice or whatever it is you are asking for, you are gonna get bitch slapped all day at that point :)

that second paragraph you put is sheer nonesense. by your logic, only the first person to ever do a new technique should keep doing it, cuz no one will ever be as good cuz he is ahead of everybody, lol. thats nuts.

[frillcappa]

I like where I live. So FUCK you. And Im not sure how living in Iowa has anyhting to do with SEEING too many people humping a technique.

read.

fuck.

ok, back on track. I just think that there are plenty of people who have mastered this technique, and I look at them and say, They have already put the time in to totally master this technique and clean it up, but does that make them a better glass blower, cause I can shape shit just the same, I just havent put in the time to master a coloring technique. So why do I waste time trying to master it and still be behind who ever has the work Im looking at.

Answer: I dont waste the time and move on. Otherwise I will always be behind someone.

Whats really important? Shape, even wall thickness, functionality and ergonomic(sp?) for the user. Color is a bonus.

Again. Im crabby. :depressed

Ok so if you ganna say all that, Im ganna say show me where your shaping is just the same as jason lees? how about chris carleson? thats great that you can shape somthing clear into a nice shape, try cutting your clear tube up into 200 pieces, and then making the same shape out of it,(cc) or how about making your tube into 50 little balls, and then putting them all togather and shaping it into a perfect form....(jl) its not just coloring, its fucking glassblowing... and to say that your on par with anyone else, you just cant color as well as them, IM ganna have to call you out on that... lets see it

[Mecha]

This is going to get ugly.....

[B-Rye-oNeR]

The reason many things look the same is because glass blowing is a craft. Everyone stars with the same materials, and tools that are available, but can have widely varying end products. Not at all saying that fine art cant come from glass working but I am saying that it is more of a craft by definition. I have a bachelors in fine art, and our glass program was terminated a couple years after I graduated, because it doesn't really fit into the fine art world. Many artists are making wonderful fine art using glass and mixed media, but the school wanted to focus more on how conceptual ideas are communicated by art. I have not been involved in the fine art world since I graduated, I came to realize that all they feel is important is your ability to talk about you work, and that's just not what I'm into. I prefer the viewer to have their own experience with my work, with out me having to spoon feed it to them. Anyway its easy for people to pick up some glass and "Chuhully it" and say "look I'm an artist", but glass blowing to me is more about your individual progression, craft, and how you take in what has been done and reform it into your own work. . (IMO)

[Simeon]

I am no where near Jason Lees nor did I ever claim that, I was speaking too generally perhaps.

And arguably one would be better off focusing on chopping a tube 200 times and putting it back together to make one tube again with no flaws.

I love how easily people miss the point, myself included, I wrote that too early, not enough coffee. I will agree my second paragraph was way off.

Im just sick of seeing people beat the shit out of a good technique whether i have or havent mastered it.

I think what I meant to say in the second paragraph is that after a point, when so many people have mastered and explored a technique maybe there is more value artistically in discovering something else. Otherwise your are the leach and not the vain.

Its easier to copy, much harder to innovate.

I will post picks of some recent work when I get home, not affraid to put my money where my mouth is. Just sitting beside a hospital bed and dont have access to my files.

and please dont think that I am claiming to be some guru either, I will be the last person to say I am the bees knees but I would like to think I am well on my way.

FTW

[Simeon]

and in some ways I am just trying to pick and intelectual fight since a real one would land me in jail.

So thanks for throwing punches :D

[kage]

i dont get it.
if your sick of seeing certian techs, then why are you trying to make them?

why say that you need more practice on something you dont even like?

if you dont like it then do something esle, make what you like to make and leave other peoples work alone. this is the epitome of hypocritical.

[Aussie]

you could always go fuck yourself, none of what you say makes any sense at all and it makes you sound like a whiny little bitch ... and if you need an emotional outlet in your time of stress go to the gym and hit a bag ... go get a dose of reality, mate.

sorry about your loved one being in hospital.

[Kevin Bumble]

^^^^^^ I SECOND THAT EMOTION!!!!!!!


" whiny little bitch "

[$Y$TM]

Seriously though don't fume with lithium unless you have a deathwish. Stick to silver and gold.

Thanks for adding that Boiseno. I needed to add a sarcastic disclosure to that one. Figured it was obvious with the bipolar topic:twitch:

[IndiePendent]

What I want to know is why he thinks he deserves to sit in judgement of what other people choose to do with their time behind the torch. I will straight up admit that I straight up suck at a lot of sculpting, powder/frit, blowins, ect because I chose to focus on line work and reversals once I got a handle for how glass moves, and I dont give a flying fuck if you think the style is old or copped to much. I love sick ass reversals as much now as I did before I started blowing glass and thought it looked sweet. In addition there are an infinite number of color combos out there. Get off you fucking high horse and get your ass behind the torch.

You said you wanted to pick a fight well this was my TIGER UPPERCUT!!

And don't take anything personal from a forum either. I'm sure if we met IRL we'd sit and have a safety break.

Also, if you are in Rochester, go to the Gonda Building of Mayo clinic their Dale Chihuly installation there is the shit! I was at Mayo for there for a while here recently and every time I saw it, even if I felt bad it made me smile. REPPING D.C. FOR LIFE LOL. He is the man no matter how much people think its overplayed :)

[Riley]

simeon i hope you read what i took time to post on page 1. as for the rest of this, the backlash was forseen.

[Riley]

and to add, people should do right by themselves in the end. my only true point wasn't bashing any of the repetitious techniques, as i myself have done them in and out for years.

the point at the end was that we are all lucky, lucky to have a medium with room for so much growth and lucky, that each of us has a chance to make our mark, and progress this medium. that is a beautiful thing i could not be happier or more thankful to be part of.

[Chris Juedemann]

Otherwise I will always be behind someone.

I'd bet there is a train of people behind you.

[phab]

...its not easy being me, wah.

[Simeon]

I did riley, and you, Julian, HWC(1st post and second post) Mr. Wonka and Blue Lily made some good points, and I think actually understood what I was getting at. So thank you for not being so sensitive as to attack me for having a an observation.

At least some people actually read.

And I knew I was thowing myself under the bus with some people. What do ya do.

I saw a lot of glass this week at mayo. Some Lino's which was great. Not so fond of the color choices in Chihulies chandeliers and at this point they are not as impresive as I once thought. Not to say the man hasnt done a lot for glass, be to say he has would be an understatement. Awesome collection of stuff over there.

[Firekist]

i don't like the colors in mayo's chihuly's either.

for future reference, if you effers are coming to rochester, drop me, bigles, or belliott a line and stop by the shop. we have room, and are often there.

derek mcghee was the last glassblower to roll through town and hang out while he was in town for mayo reasons.. that was over 6 years ago. .. ... you wankers =)

as for this thread.. um.. my pole's just not long enough. give me a call simeon, i don't care about a fucked up thread =)

i personally love to see super clean reversals, but don't have much interest in doing them.. they feel too slow, and i get dizzy while doing them.

z---seth

[IndiePendent]

Boo to you guys I like the D.C. installation there lol Also it is the only one I have seen in real life so maybe theres that too.

Ill hit you up and bring my torch next time Firekist unfortunately there is a real good chance ill be back there.

[Simeon]

Word.

[Boozeclues]

I dont see Bob Snodgrass bitching that people are humping his fume technique to death and he actually came up with it.

[hwcglass]

I dont see Bob Snodgrass bitching that people are humping his fume technique to death and he actually came up with it.

Perhaps you missed that chapter.

[2wheeler]

First step is moving out of Iowa.

I got everything i need out here, a shed, motocross track, fishing boat, jet ski, dirtbikes, chickens, a dog, a shooting range, land for hunting, a pond. Whats wrong with iowa... there is plently of techniques around besides wig wag reversal and rettis.... when you gonna make it down Simeon?

[hwcglass]

I'm a rebel, soul rebel
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
I'm a rebel, soul rebel
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer

See the morning sun, the morning sun
On the hillside
If you're not living good, travel wide
You gotta travel wide
Said I'm a living man
And I've got work to do
If you're not happy, children
Then you must be blue
Must be blue, people say

I'm a rebel, let them talk,
Soul rebel, talk won't bother me
I'm a capturer, that'w what they say
Soul adventurer, night and day
I'm a rebel, soul rebel
Do you hear them lippy
I'm a capturer, gossip around the corner
Soul adventurer. How they adventure on me

But, see the morning sun, the morning sun
On the hillside
If you're not living good, travel wide
You gotta travel wide
Said I'm a living man
I've got work to do
If you're not happy, then you must be blue
Must be blue, people say

I'm a rebel, soul rebel
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer
Do you hear me
I'm a rebel, rebel in the morning
Soul rebel, rebel at midday time