Just like riding a bike?

[Northwinds Glass]

Just took two years off after thirteen on the torch and am about to hook it all up again. Guess I'm wondering if anybody else has taken significant time off and how it was to jump back in?

[hwcglass]

Time off, even a few days, is a skill killer.

You'll get back what you need, though, when you need it.

Work hard. Be yourself.

[Slow]

Yup. I was without shop for a few years, and it was (almost) like starting from scratch. I still had a head full of info/techs, but my hands (and patience) were severely tested at first. The learning curve was more manageable the second time around, though. Just start simple; don't try to pick up where you left off, both tech- and size-wise. You'll get back there soon enough.

Of course, now it's kind of awkward when people ask me how long I've been torching. I started about 10 years ago, but I feel like I've only been working for 3 or 4.

[B-Rye-oNeR]

Torching is exactly like riding a bike, only with your hands, with fire in between them, and broken glass everywhere.

[smolder holder]

Torching is exactly like riding a bike, only with your hands, with fire in between them, and broken glass everywhere.

Don't forget the cool shades

[Julian]

Yep, I did the same thing and am getting back into it. I worked every day for ten years, and just finished a three year break. I hopped on the torch only when visiting people during that time, like a few days every 6 months.

I spent a few weeks making smaller stuff at my friend's shops recently. It took a while to get warmed up, but I have not lost any skills (the idea that I would seems kind of silly... everyone's different, though. Maybe it would have been different if I hadn't worked at all in that time). There are a lot of techniques, ideas, tools, materials and stuff I don't remember offhand, but considering it's stuff from like 7 years ago that's not surprising. It's not instant getting back into it, but it's not lost. View it as getting warmed up over a period of 3-4 weeks.

Pushing yourself to work 7-9 hours every single day whether you feel like it or not is a creativity killer, and I needed a break. The freshness of perspective and enthusiasm I have now is going to go a really long way once I get my shop set up again.

[JSR Studio]

I'm disabled and have many times when I can't work for a couple of months. I'm always rusty when I come back. I also tend to cut and burn myself more those first few days after a long break. I'm definitely not starting over from scratch each time it's more that I need a couple of days to a week to get back up to speed.

[Majestic glass]

i took 4 years off and just opened a studio and rocking it bro its like i got better in my off time lol good luck man

[B-Rye-oNeR]

coming back to something after a break with a new perspective can help for sure. I used to do it with skateboarding all the time. Maybe I'm due for a break, but I need that $. Hmmmmm.....?

[Free]

I just took 2 1/2 years off the torch and went back to school and got a degree. I had been torching full time since about 95' I just got soooo burnt out I couldn't even look at glass. Been back working since january and am totally in love with glass again! It didn't take long to get back into the swing of things.Its good to take some time and reflect on your life. On a side note I must say that I am completely blown away with how much things have evolved the last few years.

[Northwinds Glass]

Thanks folks. I am hoping for renewed vigor also. I too was super burnt out on busting out. Not the reason for my break though. I've been home two years raising my daughter.
So, sometime soon I will be starting to build my 5th shop. Looking forward to pimpin it out better then the last.
Peace all

[JSR Studio]

hh i did notice that too. Every time I build a shop I know more so the shop always gets better...it's the same when buying tools. Good luck!