what do you need for a public demo

[dicro]

I would like to hear from some artist who have done demos in public events. thoughts on how it went what is needed and things you would have done different. thank you for your time.

[Emmett's Glass]

Outdoor demos suck, can't see the flame and the wind blows it around.
E

[menty666]

But the chicks totally dig burn victims.


General advice for outdoor demos is to stake out and rope off a buffer zone to keep people from hanging off your table. Try to set up a plexiglass 3 sided wind screen around the front of your table but make sure it's wind stable so you don't turn your table into an airborne flying fireball.

Bring a fire extinguisher, make sure you have the ok from the organizers, find out if you need permits, and make sure you're insured should something happen.

[Aussie]

try to use a surface mix if you can, the occasional pops and bangs that premix torches generate can scare the shit out of the general public. Also a surface mix is quiet, so you can talk as you work. On that note, in your studio, practice talking out loud about what you're doing. If you're not used to it, it can be very distracting, so even if you feel like an idiot or your shopmates make fun of you, talk out loud about the process you're making, even if you're just pushing on marias or pulling a point or whatever. It also come in handy if you ever teach in the future.
Maybe prepare a progressive display, from tube to xmas bauble or perfume bottle or whatever and a short step by step on paper. It's amazing how much more people will appreciate your workwhen they understand that you got through 6 or 7 work processes just to get a clear ball with a loop on it.
Wear some interesting clothes ... I've taken to wearing slacks, a vest and a tophat ... it's a good look if you have goggles to go with that. People who stop to watch you will do so because it entertains them, dressing in a quirky way enhances that and it will increase their attention span, especially if you throw in some entertaining or amusing anecdotes with your explanations.
Be prepared for people to ask stupid questions, don't ridicule them for it, lampworking often defies logic to someone who doesn't understand the nature of the medium.
Either have some sort of screen in front of the torch (not too close, obviously) or a rope at a bit of a distance from your bench, so people don't lean into the path of your flame. It's not really an issue, because the heat goes up, not out, but it will give the impression of a more safe environment.
bring your favourite tools that you're comfortable with.
If you're not incredibly experienced, make things you've made a million times before. It may be boring for you, but the vast majority of the audience will not have seen it before ... guaranteed! Even experienced blowers will avoid making something they haven't done before. With all the distractions going on, the possibility of screwing something up (even something you've made before) increases by a lot, especially if you're fielding questions.
Make sure the ceiling is not too low or you're under a sprinkler system!
Otherwise, be approachable, polite and amiable, what you're doing is educating the publice about lampworking. You're doing a service to both the general public and the rest of us, if you can make people aware of what lampworking is and what it entails.
Try not to make cutesy little animals, it's what the general public expects, but it's no good for anyone else doing public demos. You always get someone saying "oh, I've seen someone do this before, they made a cute little hummingbird on a flower. Try to make hollow objects to ingrain in the public that this is glassblowing!

Some questions or statements you can expect people to make, so be prepared:
oh, that's a pretty blue or can you make that in blue
how long does it take to try
can you make it bigger
how do you get the colour in there
are you using coloured wax to colour your glass
do you use oxy acetylene

have a little portable fire extinguisher there, just in case. Put it in a visible place. This will make people understand that lampworking can have its dangers. Hopefully you won't need it :D

Don't sling your glass or tools around or do ballet, like Milon Townsend does. It's dangerous and unnecessary. You don't need to be quite that entertaining!

Otherwise, have all the safety stuff in place, like flashback arrestors, make sure your lines aren't worn or cracked, keep your bottles hidden under the table (it keeps your lines out of your foot's way).

Read up on some early glass history, it's informative and people will appreciate your knowledge, not to mention that it'll educate you, too. Like man-made glass is over 5000 years old, but glass in its natural form of obsidian has been used for tools and weapons for tens of thousands of years. Or: the ancient Egyptians used coreformed vessels to store their cosmetics and medicines in. Or: Magical glass amulets and beads were used as currency and for religious purposes by the ancient Phoenicians and traded as far away as Britannia, into the interior of Africa and across to Persia ... Stuff like that.

Most of all, have fun with it and the people who come to watch you!

[EFS]

Patience! Remember the annoying idiots asking you the same dumb questions all day are your customers.

[ReLo442]

from my limited experience in doing demos (done about...5 or 6 maybe) that I have come to have the following understandings:

1. people will ask all sorts of retarded questions but the ones that ask questions usually turn into customers so you gotta treat their question like it is interesting for you to answer. If you dont have much to say, talk slowly while you work, dont wanna make it look too easy.

2. It is a good idea to have things priced out before hand because if not you will be distracted a lot. if you can find a friend to help out n manage the sales, it helps a lot when doing glass.

3. Have everything setup as if you KNEW the fire marshall was going to show up (tanks chained properly, propane outdoors, fire entinguisher visible, ect...) because Ive had one come by at 2 different events now, all of which were "private events"

Have fun, wear goofy shit, play music, have a tip jar or better yet a Raffle jar. I have made more off of raffle tickets than actual glass on more than one occasion. Be prepared to take custom orders, maybe even print off a couple "custom order forms" so you look legit and can keep organized. Put your business card or a way to contact you right out in front. I get a flood of emails after shows.

As far as what glass to bring, I normally bring a half a tube of 38, 32, n 25 in clear as well as a couple full pieces of 19,16,12. Some 4,6,10 rod. Maybe a few frits. I will also bring some color tube, short pieces, as well as my shorts bucket (demos are great to just dump or shorts bucket out and say "pick your colors") really helps get rid of shorts in combos youd never think people would like. Generally Im under the mentality Id rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it so I try to bring a little of everything.

Tools I stick to the basics 2x graphite, tweezers, push, reverse tweezers and my SS shaping tool. gotta bring a rod rest or 2 and a paddle is a good idea. Also bring a jar or a rack to stand work up on so everything isnt flat on the bench.

What I make at shows are normally basic stuff like spoons, chillums, pendants, small special requests. People love picking their colors or getting something custom made right in front of them. A lot of the shows I do are multi day shows so they will come back the next day or later and get their piece once it anneals.

Totally agree with everything Aussie said

[Kevin Bumble]

you only need a portable propane permit, similar to one needed for a food vendor cart mine was $25 I'm sure it will vary from city to city, the permit should spell out what is needed to be up to code.

[Mr. Wonka]

I do public demonstrations every single day. The most important thing to do is engage your audience, explain things as you work, and answer questions enthusiastically.

Also: Put out a coffee can labeled, "Donations". You won't believe how much extra money you will make.

Feel free to call me if you need any advice... my number is (724) 791-2100.

Tom