Whats Happening Melting Pot?

[Stidd]

Hey...

Central NJ here and complete nub to this amazing form of art.

I have been fascinated with glass art for a LONG time though. Started collecting marbles when I was a kid. Have always been curious and interested.

Now I cant get this off my mind!

37 year old Dad of 2. I work the graveyard shift to support my fam.
Been looking for that one thing that I can do to unwind and let loose of creative energy.

I have a ton of interests and admittedly working with glass is very new for me. So I am going to take this VERY slow. I need to save my pennies anyways to buy the gear. I guess you could say I am in research mode and haven't pulled the trigger.

I've started reading books and have already watched hours of videos. I've got through a great deal of posts here and every word read just makes me more excited to get get started. Unfortunately, I may be a long way away from actually lighting my first torch.

Anyways... I hope to get to know some of you. Thanks for having me!

Stidd

[glassdocnc]

Hi Stidd.

You can learn a lot by reading here.

Once you start buying stuff be prepared to spend a lot to just to get started then an ongoing stream of $$ to feed the habit.

[d3rk]

Welcome. In just a short time, I've come to find this community to be a very helpful one. So, I'd be surprised if you didn't find the same.

[HOSS]

I'd say you're off to a great start, just by the fact you plan to take it slow and research things first, instead of just diving in headfirst and cracking your skull open in the shallow end like so many new folks around here have done. Watch and listen and you will learn, you've come to the right place. All the info you need to succeed is right here!

Best of luck to you.

[jac1961]

Welcome and best of luck.

[Stidd]

Thanks for the awesome welcome!

[HoneyCombOver]

Welcome to the pot!

Be thankful that you stumbled upon this website. The amount of information here is really quite staggering and the people are awesome as long as you're not a douche. It seems like you've got the non-douche thing covered.

I'm assuming that money is what's keeping you from getting your melt on. If so, consider just getting a national 3a or simlar small torch and just getting a feel for it. Like people have said this is a very expensive hobby but you don't need a fancy GTT to start melting. Good luck in getting up and running. Once you do there's no looking back.

[Stidd]

Yea, At this point... It is cash that is holding me back.

But... I have some irons in the fire. I've got some items around the house I'm gonna Craigslist to build up the capital.

But...

I think I'm still going to try to pull the reins back as much as possible.

A few years ago... I fell in absolute love with Reef Aquariums. Started a tank and quickly found out that some of the choices I made were impractical and incorrect. It turned out to be very expensive...

What I'm hoping for here is if I take my time... that I won't make any bad decisions.

I am super glad I found this site... I have a feeling most if not all of the answers are already here!

Stidd

[AlexSchmalex]

I would say the reef aquarium money pit is similar to the glass blowing money pit. With corals tho it could take years to start selling frags, you could make a sellable pendent in prolly your first week.

[zman]

At least your not trying to do both at once I've got a 175 gallon tank that robs me blind and I'm doin the glass as well.

-Zach

[Stidd]

I feel for you Zach! Would totally be interested in seeing your reef though!
I realized I was in trouble when I it hit me that coral needs lighting to grow... and than the MH lighting prices just knocked me on the floor.
I gave up my tank but still love it and one day... I'm gonna start another.

But yea... I can see how the return on investment for glass working is probably much faster.


Stidd