sharing glass info and not being condescending...I'm in!!!!

[Plum Tuckered]

Real name: Rick Lee Chambers
Born: July 24, 1973
location: Berwick ME (let me know if your local)

I have been lurking for a little while i learn and feel that this is a great open source community for glass and i want to be a part of this conversation!

I have loved glass for a long time but never could get to a point where working with it was possible until 2 and a half ago years when I suffered serious knee injuries while road racing motorcycles. I had two surgeries that left me unable to walk for almost a year. I still move slow and my legs will never be the same but i can sit and stand at a torch and have really started to grasp the beauty and movement of glass. The settlement allowed me the time and money to set up a solid studio with the time to learn this crazy art form and everyday at the torch in my studio I gain more understanding.

[Icarus]

Welcome man. Sorry to hear about your accident, but at least something good came out of it.

Anyway, this is a great place, and I think you're going to like it here.

Looking forward to seeing some of your work.

-Icky

[Swampy]

Welcome in Rick. There's some pretty amazing people on here and a mine of information in the archives but if you get stuck ask away and when you get good, don't forget to pass it on... everyone started where you are so don't get discouraged but stick at it, it's all about patience and practice.

Good luck man, I hope you can work it into something you can feed you and your family with.

[Aaron Ellis]

Welcome Rick if u ever come to Oregon look me up I got space and a nice shop not far from Portland in The Dalles. And just a word of advice if u haven't been to any glass events AGI the DFO things of the sort.. atened some there invaluble.

[smolder holder]

Welcome and info without being condescending......maybe. info without being a smartass......no. :)

Sorry to hear about your accident.

[Plum Tuckered]

see i knew i did my homework before selecting a forum to join. Thanks for the great welcome. I am almost proud of the stuff i have done in the past day or so. i have a few pics i can post up here once i find a good host for pics.

I have a GTT phantom and a national 3a-8 hand torch running off of 5 companion 590 oxygen concentrators and 2 compressors. a guy who got frustrated with glass put it up on craigslist and 2 hours later i'm driving back from his place with that...that bundle of goodness in the bed if my truck. i had been playing with a nortel minor before that which i still use for some stuff. My kiln is a heavily modified ceramics kiln 16x11x11 with the computer and bead door from one of those chili pepper bead kilns. I have a 18x18x24 inch ceramic kiln that i really am thinking about putting the hole in the top of with an actuated port cover so i can dip into a boro crucible. alas i need a computer for it and it will have to wait plus i would need to move it to my shop and wire it.....but its gonna happen damnit!!

[smolder holder]

Awesome! Lets see some work

[Slimy-E]

Im in pa- have a two torch station set up(three if call for)

tired of long hour alone if you want to take a road trip i got space

[Blind]

Since everyone else is focusing on the glass, I'll ask about the important stuff...

2 years ago... did the motorcycle make it out OK? Seriously though, sorry to hear about the injury. Might I ask what happened and what you were riding? My GSX-R1000 is currently giving me puppy dog eyes to get it back on a track.

[Plum Tuckered]

Yeah man, she lives and breaths! My race bike is a honda crf450r set up as a road racing motard. 17"rims with slicks, upgraded brakes to 320mm discs that stop on a dime, I love her so.... My street bike is a 1975 honda CB750 with a mild cafe racer slant.

Those big bikes are fun as hell to be sure. what track you been on? My home track is NHMS in loudon NH.

i'll grab some pics off the puter inside to post up. lets see your beast!

[trauma11]

Hey Rick, from Maine as well. Saco to be exact. I go to college in New Hampshire, but I'm starting lessons with a shop owner here in Portland. Do you know a lot of glass blowers in the area?

[2wheeler]

i would love to see pics of the motard bike... do they let you make them street legal out there? Iowa doesn't let you convert one over unless it is a ktm because they have 10 digit serial numbers instead of 9 like honda,yam,suz,kawi....

[2wheeler]

by convert one over i guess i just mean,.... buy a license plate for it.

[mandoziller]

Welcome Rick.