New to the life

[BrightRam]

Hey guys, my name's John. College student in Tallahassee, FL. I haven't had the opportunity to work with glass yet, but I hope I will someday soon. Ive been collecting though for a few years, well, nothing fancy just whatever I could afford on a college budget. Anyways, if you guys have any seriously basic stuff (tuts, vids, tips). Pretty much the most i know about lampworking is commonsense and observational guesses. Also, if you could point out some glass blowers in my area, maybe someone I could do some apprentice work with.

Thanks guys,

John L.

[ineedanewusername]

Welcome John!
Check out the tips and techniques section of the forum and the members section is a good place to look for people near you. It also depends on what u are looking at making as far as vids go and what kind of glass you will be working with. Personally, I have learned alot reading this forum and if you know what you are gonna be making then youtube is always a great place for vids. There are also several books and vids you can purchase from several different lampworking sites. Hope you enjoy(realise) what you are about to get in to :D

[BrightRam]

Thanks for the info! Oh yeah, forgot to mention that I'm mainly interested in making water pipes, but ill take any lessons I can get really. I mean, heady pieces include a lot of the other artful aspects ot the craft anyway; like marbles and coloring. Or is it a totally different animal?

[PyroChixRock]

Welcome.

To go that route start with spoons and work your way up. Have you got any equipment yet? Also check out the newbie room and the people connection room.

[BrightRam]

Thanks! Yeah I probably should start there, I get delussions of grandure on occasion. haha. I was hoping to find someone with a shop near me that I could watch, and eventually mess around with before I buy my own supplie. I was thinking about just getting ablow torch and some boro off ebay. Making a simple spoon that way, would a big cannistertorch work for that, or does it have to be the oxygen and gas mix?

[olddog]

Thanks! Yeah I probably should start there, I get delussions of grandure on occasion. haha. I was hoping to find someone with a shop near me that I could watch, and eventually mess around with before I buy my own supplie. I was thinking about just getting ablow torch and some boro off ebay. Making a simple spoon that way, would a big cannistertorch work for that, or does it have to be the oxygen and gas mix?
for Boro you will need oxygen with the propane