How many lamp workers are there in the US?

[bowlpusher]

I would have to guess that there are about 50,000 lampworkers at the present time. What do you think? Is there any way to calculate? How many lamp workers do you think live in your state? I have always been curious. I have no real idea how many are in Michigan. People always pop out of the wood work.

[emergensee]

I say maybe around 20,000

[LooseSeal Baller]

i would guess way lower...if each state has 100 that would be 5000, and i think that is an over estimate, but i have no real way of gauging

[Swim]

I can tell you several states, that I personally know do not have 100 flame workers. Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas. Probably a lot more on that list.

[Swim]

they dont have one hundred when you put them all together. Maybe 25 people between those four states

[PyroChixRock]

But then there are places like Eugene and Denver where you can toss a rock and hit a glassblower, and another one when it bounces off the first one.

[brads]

they dont have one hundred when you put them all together. Maybe 25 people between those four states

Really? And exactly what research did you do to come up with that number - "I don't know them, so they can't exist?"

I have 18 people on my beadmaking mailing list for those states alone. Based on your wild assed guess, that means that roughly 70% of the lampworkers in those 4 states have signed up for my list. Yeah, right...

And my list is an extremely small subset of the total - basically, people interested in 104COE striking silver glass, who know about me and want to receive mailings, and took the time to sign up for my mailing list. Nor does that count any scientific glassblowers at universities (and I know there are at least a few), lampworkers enrolled in university glass programs, the local Tom, Dick, or Harriet quietly blowing glass out in the woods - or cities - somewhere, any boro workers who don't give a rats ass about soft glass, or any of the MANY people in those states you don't "personally" know.

Given those figures and the criteria for being on my list, your number is crap. There are a lot more lampworkers around than you know about.

[Mr. Larry]

I have no empirical evidence, but I would guess that there are a hundred of us here in Asheville.

[Dan Kooper]

I have 7 artists working in my shop including me. 3 other artists stopped in to visit today also from the area. Michigan glass scene is pretty big.

[Mr. Larry]

Dan, I am from Deerborn Michigan. Really cool to hear there's a scene.

[vetropod]

I know that there are at least 12.

[Simian]

I would guess 100k or so. It is a totally arbitrary guess extrapolated from my gut feeling based on a hunch I am sure might be right.

[D. dino i ninjah]

What r the qualifications for being a lampworker ? Full time artist making a living ? Or like took a class five years ago and talks about it at the bar more than actually does it ? Bead ladies who make 20 beads a year ? The scientific glass workers in every major college and university? The guys who used to do it and were good .. but do something else now ?

A fuck ton ?
Tooo many ?
More than anyone thinks?
Do those guys even count ?
Are u serious their selling 1 little bead for 2x the price of a pipe ?

[Swim]

Really? And exactly what research did you do to come up with that number - "I don't know them, so they can't exist?"

I have 18 people on my beadmaking mailing list for those states alone. Based on your wild assed guess, that means that roughly 70% of the lampworkers in those 4 states have signed up for my list. Yeah, right...

And my list is an extremely small subset of the total - basically, people interested in 104COE striking silver glass, who know about me and want to receive mailings, and took the time to sign up for my mailing list. Nor does that count any scientific glassblowers at universities (and I know there are at least a few), lampworkers enrolled in university glass programs, the local Tom, Dick, or Harriet quietly blowing glass out in the woods - or cities - somewhere, any boro workers who don't give a rats ass about soft glass, or any of the MANY people in those states you don't "personally" know.

Given those figures and the criteria for being on my list, your number is crap. There are a lot more lampworkers around than you know about.


I am 100% right about Louisiana and Mississippi, and farely sure about the other two. I sell to 90% of the shops in these 2 states (just production handpipes, nothing special to brag about) and I have gotten to know my shop owners. Shop owners are going to tell you about other glass artists for the most part, that is how I met the ones I know about. I have traveled and learned from the other artists. I only actually know of half the number I stated, so that left room for double the artists that I actually know of. Also, I counted every aspiring artist. I know 4 off the top of my head that have better skills than me. It does not matter if you agree or not. There are other misquoted numbers in this threas as well. There has gotta be over a thousand in the Asheville area. Meh, whatever dude, maybe this is a glass blowing Mecca on the gulf coast, and I am just not meeting them.

[Simian]

I am 100% right about Louisiana and Mississippi, and farely sure about the other two. I sell to 90% of the shops in these 2 states (just production handpipes, nothing special to brag about) and I have gotten to know my shop owners. Shop owners are going to tell you about other glass artists for the most part, that is how I met the ones I know about. I have traveled and learned from the other artists. I only actually know of half the number I stated, so that left room for double the artists that I actually know of. Also, I counted every aspiring artist. I know 4 off the top of my head that have better skills than me. It does not matter if you agree or not. There are other misquoted numbers in this threas as well. There has gotta be over a thousand in the Asheville area. Meh, whatever dude, maybe this is a glass blowing Mecca on the gulf coast, and I am just not meeting them.

Shop owners and welding/oxy suppliers will give you some numbers but there are a ton of guys selling online and using cons to power things so they never interact with the shop owners.

[JayBoogie]

I only know of 3 other people in Louisiana that still do boro work, 3 people in New Orleans that do scientific work (there's probably more I just know about these guys because they were regulars at a buddy of mines restaurant there) and 2 soft glass workers, one of which is now retired. I'm sure there are more people I haven't found out about yet down here but I have been trying to find artist for a few years now. There was also some chick who started to blow glass in my town a few years ago but gave up really quick. I'm going to check out her equipment later today and see if I can buy anything. I have spoken with a stained glass artist who knows a ton of other glass artist in the state, and she had only heard of one hot glass worker and that's the chick who gave up. So I think the numbers about Louisiana and pretty close. I can't see there being for than 15 lamp workers here in LA

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[Nomad]

There are about 2000 pipe makers on glass pipes.org but that site is old....


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[lost nebula]

I would guess that there are less than 1000 lampworkers here in Australia, although I only know of less than 50. Pipers are rare on this side of the pond, soft glass beadmaking and fusing is what everyone does here.

I also would have guessed 100,000 for the US lampworkers.

[Mr. Larry]

I think there are a lot of glassblowers on earth, and possibly even more than we could ever fathom on other dimensions, and endless galaxies.

[Carl]

Hi Bison. Just an fyi, it's "once in a while..."

[Mr. Larry]

Good point. That's a funny irony. Telling people to use proper grammar while using improper grammar. Jabroni move, ha.

[shawnette]

I am 100% right about Louisiana and Mississippi, and farely sure about the other two. I sell to 90% of the shops in these 2 states (just production handpipes, nothing special to brag about) and I have gotten to know my shop owners. Shop owners are going to tell you about other glass artists for the most part, that is how I met the ones I know about. I have traveled and learned from the other artists. I only actually know of half the number I stated, so that left room for double the artists that I actually know of. Also, I counted every aspiring artist. I know 4 off the top of my head that have better skills than me. It does not matter if you agree or not. There are other misquoted numbers in this threas as well. There has gotta be over a thousand in the Asheville area. Meh, whatever dude, maybe this is a glass blowing Mecca on the gulf coast, and I am just not meeting them.

So, by your reasoning, then I wouldn't exist if I were in Louisiana or Mississippi. I make my own oxygen and don't interact with "shops", so they would have no way of knowing about me or at lease 20 other artists that I know.

Not all lampwork artists make pipes. Not all soft glass lampwork artists make beads.

For what it's worth, there are a shit-ton of lampworkers in Florida. Like roaches. For every 1 or 2 that you know of, there are probably 10 that you don't. There are at least 10 within 5 miles of my house. Probably more.

[Nomad]

Less pipe makers then 10 years ago.


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[OceanMelt]

Less pipe makers then 10 years ago.
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You think? My guess....based on purely limited observation/knowledge....is that there is more than ever, specifically based on the pipe making schools popping up and spread of knowledge. Granted, a portion are newbs and many might give up in years to come. But assuming that all the OGs are still working, then I would guess more now.

[Nomad]

Not around here. I used to know of at least 4 in the area. Now just me.


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[Nomad]

Maybe I should get a job at a glass school? That would be cool. But there is nothing around here like that.


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[Speedingpullet]

Maybe an enquiry to the ISGB might help?

http://www.isgb.org

[STROKER]

That's crazy talk nomad
The number of pipers has gone through the roof and if you look at all the new lathes being sold everywhere you have to wonder how many there are.
I also don't sell to local shops nor do I telly o2 man what I do so

..

[Nomad]

Maybe in other countries. But not locally is all I am saying.


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[Nomad]

O2 man thinks I only make jewelry and ornaments.


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[bowlpusher]

My guess would be based on who turns up for The Michigan Glass Project. I would go so far to say that there is easily 600-1000 lampworkers in Michigan. We try our hardest to do a head count and get everyone involved, but no matter how hard we try another dozen or new ones shake out of the trees. It always amazes me when a glass blower we haven't met comes out of the shadows and tells us that they have never heard of the project or the shop. I start to think that they live under a rock or don't use the internet and then back it up and realize that not everyone is as curious as we are. Thanks for all the input. I reckoned that there weren't many in the south, but in the west coast states there has to be a ton. Doug Z and I used to joke about being glassblower #1,000 and #1,001 in Eugene in 1997. It has had to have blown up since then.

[labrie]

Someone once told me that the I 5 corridor in WA state had more glassblowers per capita then anywhere else in the world. Not so much any more, but the drop in glassblowers has been more than made up by lampworkers. Based on my own empirical data and scientific observation along with a statistically infallible consensus by other lampwokers there are around 350 million current or wana be lampworkers in the US. with a margin of error +or- 99.9%

[bowlpusher]

^^ Excellent imperial data. I forgot to include the "wana be lampworkers" into my calculations. I was hoping that this thread would spin out of control with willy nilly assumptions and ambiguous observations until some hard data came into play, but clearly there must be 350 million +/- glass peeps in the US. This is my favorite small talk question at trade shows.

[Swim]

I only know of 3 other people in Louisiana that still do boro work, 3 people in New Orleans that do scientific work (there's probably more I just know about these guys because they were regulars at a buddy of mines restaurant there) and 2 soft glass workers, one of which is now retired. I'm sure there are more people I haven't found out about yet down here but I have been trying to find artist for a few years now. There was also some chick who started to blow glass in my town a few years ago but gave up really quick. I'm going to check out her equipment later today and see if I can buy anything. I have spoken with a stained glass artist who knows a ton of other glass artist in the state, and she had only heard of one hot glass worker and that's the chick who gave up. So I think the numbers about Louisiana and pretty close. I can't see there being for than 15 lamp workers here in LA

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if she has a kiln with a good sized punty door, let me know. I am sure you wont need it since you got that dope ass glasshive

[Swim]

So, by your reasoning, then I wouldn't exist if I were in Louisiana or Mississippi. I make my own oxygen and don't interact with "shops", so they would have no way of knowing about me or at lease 20 other artists that I know.

Not all lampwork artists make pipes. Not all soft glass lampwork artists make beads.

For what it's worth, there are a shit-ton of lampworkers in Florida. Like roaches. For every 1 or 2 that you know of, there are probably 10 that you don't. There are at least 10 within 5 miles of my house. Probably more.

I left room for more. As the other dude from Louisiana said. It would be hard to imagine if there were more than 15 in Louisiana, that leaves room for ten people we dont know about. Come to the region for a few months and tell me I am wrong. Honestly, I am glad thats the case. I never have to drive more than two hours in any direction to sell glass. The people just are not there. When people get involved in glass in an area like this, they are usually active on the internet and social media as well, because there are no mentors. We have to learn everything from the internet. Its something stupid to argue about. there is no way to know, but I am sure that I am not far off.

[Swim]

So, by your reasoning, then I wouldn't exist if I were in Louisiana or Mississippi. I make my own oxygen and don't interact with "shops", so they would have no way of knowing about me or at lease 20 other artists that I know.

Not all lampwork artists make pipes. Not all soft glass lampwork artists make beads.

For what it's worth, there are a shit-ton of lampworkers in Florida. Like roaches. For every 1 or 2 that you know of, there are probably 10 that you don't. There are at least 10 within 5 miles of my house. Probably more.

florida is waaaaaaay different man. Also you realize, its a known glass blowing area. It does not compare. No one knows what the fuck an oxycon is here. LOL. I make my own oxy, and someone gave me the shit for free, and I can get another homefill and con setup for 150$ down the street. Where are all the lampworkers to fight me for it?? seriously, your view is skewed because your in florida. Other than the legal states and Asheville, you would have to be next in line for more glass blowers per capita than anywhere else in the US. Maybe Austin has more?? I dunno. Its really not like that many places. You are in a saturated area.

[VinE]

20k was the estimate I always heard thrown around. Eyeglass manufacturers or oxygen sales statiztics would be a good way to guage , if someone wanted to do a serious estimate.

[Swim]

20k was the estimate I always heard thrown around. Eyeglass manufacturers or oxygen sales statiztics would be a good way to guage , if someone wanted to do a serious estimate.

that make no sense. My oxy supplier fills ten or fifteen dwars a day for box car scrappers. Glass blowers mean zilch to airgas, and there is no way to calculate lampworkers by oxy sales.

[LooseSeal Baller]

buying oxygen is a scam.

[Abe Fleishman]

I would say there is over 50,000 lampers in the usa using boro. In cali alone there is almost 10,000-15,000 at least.
Abe

[Dan Kooper]

Too many?

[VinE]

that make no sense. My oxy supplier fills ten or fifteen dwars a day for box car scrappers. Glass blowers mean zilch to airgas, and there is no way to calculate lampworkers by oxy sales.
Your assumption that i meant the volume of all their sales is off base. I guess i need to simplify/ clarify what I meant. There used to be a special account that airgas had for all glassworkers called "glassblowers unlt." They might or might not be keeping track of glass related gas sales..I mentioned glasses too for a reason. If someone wanted to do a REAL estimate based on empirical data they should look to items that are universally used as a sort of gauge. Most people work off tanks, have glasses, a torch etc. If you were a statititian looking at the volume of sales of materials might be a good starting point for getting some data. If you want to nitpick the numbers add a +- with a chance of error at the end.

[VinE]

Way to many.^^lol.

[PyroChixRock]

I think we need to ask the color manufacturers, since all glassblowers are going to be buying color. But, since they use distributors a lot, they won't have a real number, either. Abe's guess of 50k is probably the most informed one so far.

[Jim OShea]

i didn't know you have to buy color to be a glassblower

[PyroChixRock]

You don't have to lol. Do you know anyone who doesn't? I guess all the kids who are amazing at fume might not.

[VinE]

Yea misha,
I'll bet he throws that 50k figure around when he's making the pitch for a new loan at the bank.lol

[unfunraygun]

I have met every glassblower in the U.S. and Canada (including all territories and provinces) and there exists in my extensive studies between 182 and 240 glassblowers in North America. My studies however cannot pinpoint the exact number due to the elusive nature of the Pacific Northwest glassblowers (not unlike the similar and equally elusive Pac North Skunk Ape). I hope this information is found by you to be helpful.

[PyroChixRock]

I have met every glassblower in the U.S. and Canada (including all territories and provinces) and there exists in my extensive studies between 182 and 240 glassblowers in North America. My studies however cannot pinpoint the exact number due to the elusive nature of the Pacific Northwest glassblowers (not unlike the similar and equally elusive Pac North Skunk Ape). I hope this information is found by you to be helpful.



Sounds about right to me. :lol

[unfunraygun]

I forgot to include VinE in my calculations. Ther are now between 183 and 241 glassblowers in North America.

[hashmasta-kut]

I have met every glassblower in the U.S. and Canada (including all territories and provinces) and there exists in my extensive studies between 182 and 240 glassblowers in North America. My studies however cannot pinpoint the exact number due to the elusive nature of the Pacific Northwest glassblowers (not unlike the similar and equally elusive Pac North Skunk Ape). I hope this information is found by you to be helpful.

I swear we never met! (Sacre bleu). But I do have PNW in me.

[hashmasta-kut]

You don't have to lol. Do you know anyone who doesn't? I guess all the kids who are amazing at fume might not.

Jim doesn't buy color :)

[hashmasta-kut]

I left room for more. As the other dude from Louisiana said. It would be hard to imagine if there were more than 15 in Louisiana, that leaves room for ten people we dont know about. Come to the region for a few months and tell me I am wrong.


there must be a better way, with internet technology, at least we should be able to get statewide numbers on most glassblowers who go online regularly somehow..

[bowlpusher]

I think we should all have to register with the federal government. Like mutants in the X-men....

[unfunraygun]

Operation Pipe Dreams didnt end. They are waiting until we have al the dabkid money then the feds will swoop on us!

[SBP]

swooooping

[nicko0]

there is one fulltime piper in louisiana

[Swim]

there is one fulltime piper in louisiana


true story for the most part. At least 10 months out of the year this is true