Beginner needing advice

[Robie]

I've never worked with glass before but it is something that I think I would enjoy doing. I mainly interested in torching, blowing would be cool to learn to tho. I was wondering whats the best way to learn the skill. I live in Pennsylvania, I don't know if its best to look for a school, or just find someone who can teach me. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Action Glass]

Apprentice. Get yourself a hothead starter kit. If you can hang with it 10 hours a day break stuff, make stuff, stay happy, it may be for you.

[maxtsunami]

Don't go to school for it unless you want to become a scientific blower (doesn't sound like you do). I'd suggest taking a couple classes and then if you like it ask the teacher about necessary equipment. Then come back here and list the equipment you think you need, and we can add to the list with whatever you missed. Good luck!

[3rdI]

http://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/

[Robie]

Is a GTT Lynx a good beginner torch?

[PyroChixRock]

The lynx is a fabulous torch, and great to learn on but the torch itself does have a learning curve. GTT makes an instructional video to help and there are threads here about it.

I'd suggest taking a class first, see how you like it. It costs a lot to start up.

Welcome to TMP :)

[peteypuff]

Where in Pa. I know of a place in reading and phonenixville.

[kbinkster]

Where in PA are you, Robie? I'm in PA, too, and might be able to point you to some resources. You can check around for some glass supply shops in your area to see if they offer classes. I started melting glass on a torch about 10 years ago with a HotHead. I bought a kit online and read up on it as much as I could and then took a bead making class at a local stained glass shop. I waited for the class to actually light the torch because I was a little afraid of it. It's funny because I had read so much before the class started, I had a really good idea of what was going on and what was supposed to be going on and it was great. After a few months, I moved to a Lynx. The Lynx is an awesome torch and I know I could have started out with it, but there are other options out there, too, that had I known about or had they been available, I would have been happy with, as well. The Bobcat and the Cricket are both great torches for beginners and you can grow with them as your skills increase.

My suggestion would be to read up as much as you can and if you decide to get your own set-up, make a budget. Protective eyewear and ventilation are expenses that can get overlooked when starting out, but are important things to have. I would rather see you have safe ventilation and good eye protection and a less expensive torch than a nicer torch and no eye protection or good ventilation.

[Robie]

I'm in Schuylkill County. I've been watching lamp-working videos nonstop for the past 3 days and I'm starting to understand more and more. But if yous think I should definitely take a class first then I'll start looking around to see if I can find someone experienced that could take me under his/hers wings.

[Icarus]

^^^ This is a common misconception from beginners. Watching porn videos near non-stop for three days rarely makes you a better lover, it jsut means you spent near three days watching porn. Until you get your hands on glass, all you've done is seen it worked. Nothing truly prepares you for it except doing it. Now the reason I say this is not to tell you that your three days were wasted, they weren't. It's always good to research something before you do it. But at the same time, you really have to try it to know if it's for you. They're have literally been thousands of people who thought that they were going to be glass masters. They bought the tools, watched the videos, read the books, got it all set up, lit the torch, and decided that it wasn't for them. For some it was frustration that they weren't making pretty stuff right away, for others it was that they just couldn't do the hours of practice needed, for others it just didn't float their boat once they really tried it.

What I'm getting at is, that's why a class is invaluable. It gets you your first contacts in the industry. It puts you in touch with a person who knows proper studio safety, what techniques to teach you to help build a foundation, solutions to common pitfalls, etc... Also, it gives you a chance to get behind a torch for a small fee and see if it truly is for you.

A lot of people rationalize not taking a class because they figure they can instead use the money to purchase more equipment. I think pretty much every glassworker would agree that what they got out a beginner class was worth more than it cost them, and saved them from frustrating, time consuming and expensive mistakes.

However, on the flip side of that, the people who decide to not take a class, get equipment, get all set up and decide it's not for them are an EXCELLENT source to purchase a slightly used starter kit from if you keep an eye on ebay and craigslist. So there is that.

[LarryC]

icky's right on track in my experience. Taking a class will give a good foundation to build upon and will give you a chance to try before you buy.

[menty666]

What Icarus said, plus one other thing, consider why you want to get into it.

If you're getting into it just to make money, I think you're going to be very disappointed.

If it's because you genuinely want to create something and playing with fire and glass appeals to you, then have it and have fun.

Plenty of folks support their families on glass, but you'll be hustling and making and hustling and making. You've really got to love it to stick with it.

For me, it's my creative outlet and I do it on the side of my better paying day job. But I do it because I love working with glass, not for the money. I'd be happier if it at least sustained itself, but hey, it is what it is and I don't put in the effort to make it pay better.

You get what you give, ya know?

[maxtsunami]

Basically if you don't have an extra 70-100 bucks to spend on a class, you're going to run out of glass and oxy and propane REALLY fast. Expect to go through at least 1 or 2 oxygen tanks before you even start to make sellable pieces. You're going to want to stash a couple hundred bucks or more for ongoing costs before you start selling pieces, that way you don't have to worry about running out of cash just as you're getting into it. At least, that's how I did it.

[dnug42]

take a class on someone else equipment- then see how ya feel about it- sounds like there are people around you who will help ya out- gtt are awsome but cost$$ so do regs, tanks, tools glass....its a whole bunch of stuff- see the set ups- and go from there- if i could change anything about how i learned it would have been more instruction in the begining...it will get you where your going much much faster...trial and error is fun but takes much longer...

[Big Jay]

Icuras is spot on. I have repeated it endlessly myself, but it's pretty hard to make anyone understand till they lived it. There is so much more to glass than just sticking glass into a flame. Take a class or get an apprenticeship if you can. If you take a class don't forget to ask other questions like how/where to buy supplies and how/when to market yourself and your glass. Good luck! Glass is a lot of fun, but it also is a grind and a hustle.

[kbinkster]

It looks like you aren't too far from Palmerton. A friend of mine has a teaching studio there. I don't know if she herself gives instruction, but I do know she used to bring in instructors and she might rent studio time. You ought to check her out: Noodlesaurus Glass/Kris Shaibel http://noodlesaurus.com/

She's also a regional director and a district director of the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers). She may be able to point you to someone closer to you, too.

[Robie]

Thanks kbinkster!