Chain glass shop

[LRG]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOC_zLSVlL4
Always wondered what some of there shops looked like....

[menty666]

I have to say, other than looking like it might be dull doing the same thing over and over, it doesn't look like that bad of a setup. Might be nice to see 3s instead of didy's, but otherwise, assuming there's suitable ventilation, not bad.

[LRG]

I know right!I try not to hate on china glass because in the end I spent my life doing the same thing as them and they make me keep it fresh.

[Nomad]

Upsetting to say the least. Must be nice sitting in an office doing quality control and selling to friends in the us. I chose to just blow glass I guess.


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[Nomad]

Competition always made my glass better. So it is not that . Those tubes are cheap and low quality.
I make slides sometimes for them out of color. People like them. I like the $9 wholesale.


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[LRG]

I don't know man,to say there glass is cheap and low quality is odd because you use the same glass tubing as them and you are making a simple spoon with a out dated pattern,done in the blandest of ways,over and over.You think your glass is better that the stuff they are making?Why?It is plain as day that they are making better glass than you.I just never get it when people think there stuff is so good because they started there own sweat shop at there moms house.If I painted you ass brown you would fit right in with them!

[Nomad]

Well mine cost 4 times as much and people tell me the quality is higher then the imports. Hey I started at $6 a spoon 15 years ago. I am still happy getting that.


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[Nomad]

Imports generally have less color. The colored ones are thinner also.


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[jr23]

I feel the same . I find humor in it also .

They are using china glass , American color , no gtt torches , no modern torches for that matter .

They have purpose built stations , kilns , etc

And by the looks of it they flame anneal and batch kiln it later.

I notice they worked a 50 mm section of china green . They pre warm it just as I do .

It also looks as if they make and grind joint in house .

[LRG]

How many a day do you make at 6 $ in a day?Is it even worth it ?There glass is full of color ,thick as hell,hard to make anything up to par for the price.See you pictures on here and looks kinda slow going for you,I just did a 100 pack of spoons for 500$ was really not too much meat on the bone after 2 days it took me to make them,after all shop cost I am not sure how you ever are making more than minimum wage.How are you happy for 6 bucks a spoon?Make 20 of them in a day...120$ glass cost you 20$ for the day,your down to 100$ you made in the day,add in the power for your kiln/shop and most of us pay something for shop space and there you go you make less than the kid at burger king.Maybe you make more than 20 spoons every day but I seen you stuff on here for years and we know that's not true.So how do you even make a living at 6$ a spoon?Happy new year by the way and I do know people who have problems in life where glass is there job because they can't get another job but you seem like a smart guy,went to art school....so how do you get stuck in the 6 $ spoon game...You see the $$$$ everyone is making in the glass world?I wanna see a nomad heady this year!!!No 2005 pictures lol

[Nomad]

I saved $1200 some how this month though.... but I made ornaments and sherlock bubblers also.
Next year I will make wrap and rake spoons, milli spoons, sherlock bubblers and hammer bubblers for my distributor.
I make other stuff for a local shop and a gallery.

[Nomad]

I got another $400 order on the door step waiting for fedex since thursday also. That will be direct deposit. Fasterest way to do it. I even get to use the company fedex account so I have no shipping charges. I found 14 inch boxes for 65 cents also at wallmart. It works for me.

[harpentuan]

Looks like nice stuff to me. Further proving it's not about the torch!

[Swim]

How many a day do you make at 6 $ in a day?Is it even worth it ?There glass is full of color ,thick as hell,hard to make anything up to par for the price.See you pictures on here and looks kinda slow going for you,I just did a 100 pack of spoons for 500$ was really not too much meat on the bone after 2 days it took me to make them,after all shop cost I am not sure how you ever are making more than minimum wage.How are you happy for 6 bucks a spoon?Make 20 of them in a day...120$ glass cost you 20$ for the day,your down to 100$ you made in the day,add in the power for your kiln/shop and most of us pay something for shop space and there you go you make less than the kid at burger king.Maybe you make more than 20 spoons every day but I seen you stuff on here for years and we know that's not true.So how do you even make a living at 6$ a spoon?Happy new year by the way and I do know people who have problems in life where glass is there job because they can't get another job but you seem like a smart guy,went to art school....so how do you get stuck in the 6 $ spoon game...You see the $$$$ everyone is making in the glass world?I wanna see a nomad heady this year!!!No 2005 pictures lol

one step in the right direction is using asian glass when you are making pipes this cheap. I can make 100 5$ in about 12 hours, and for me. That is great money. Not even close to minimum wage. At this point I have 2000$ worth of materials to start the year with and it all been paid for by glass, so in a way, its all profit, til have to restock. I can turn a case of asian clear into about 3000-4000 dollars worth of spoons and onies. Considering a case is less than 100$ and I make my own oxy and work in my own garage..... as long as sales keep up with production, I am fucking killing the game. No minimum wage over here

[LRG]

I was always happy with my glass until I have met some of the bigger names in glass in person,the new car they pulled up in did not make me want to push hard as I could.It was there food posts on there Instagram's of all thing that got me to step up my game.They live like kings and I might never get there but I try as hard as I can and so far it has paid off.No new car,I walk to work but I have bumped up the $ I get for my glass.The market is insane and everyone should get a piece of the pie but if you want to eat the crumbs,more pie for us!

[Swim]

I don't know man,to say there glass is cheap and low quality is odd because you use the same glass tubing as them and you are making a simple spoon with a out dated pattern,done in the blandest of ways,over and over.You think your glass is better that the stuff they are making?Why?It is plain as day that they are making better glass than you.I just never get it when people think there stuff is so good because they started there own sweat shop at there moms house.If I painted you ass brown you would fit right in with them!

Alot of the imports are cheap and low quality. From some countries that import, they cannot send a "pipe" here that has three holes, so they ship it here labeled as a christmas ornament, and then drill the bowl hole on a press here in the states. You can tell very easily when you see these pipes because it makes the bowl push look really weird. I see alot of these pipes down south, i will post some pictures next time I am in a shop with alot of imports. One of my regular buyers told me she pays 1.50$ a spoon.

[Swim]

I saved $1200 some how this month though.... but I made ornaments and sherlock bubblers also.
Next year I will make wrap and rake spoons, milli spoons, sherlock bubblers and hammer bubblers for my distributor.
I make other stuff for a local shop and a gallery.

how much are you getting for the BUBS?

[LRG]

@skuzz Very cool you can do that,I found with paying for my oxygen/propane/power/rent/glass there is not too much $ left in it for me,I use simax so there is one reason why and I usually get 12 $ to head shop for the same spoons so at 5$ a pop I found it a waste of time,I gave the last 15 of them I had around to homeless people and swore to never sell anything to anyone again that cheap.

[LRG]

Alot of the imports are cheap and low quality. From some countries that import, they cannot send a "pipe" here that has three holes, so they ship it here labeled as a christmas ornament, and then drill the bowl hole on a press here in the states. You can tell very easily when you see these pipes because it makes the bowl push look really weird. I see alot of these pipes down south, i will post some pictures next time I am in a shop with alot of imports. One of my regular buyers told me she pays 1.50$ a spoon.
I have seen lots of bad one,I go to shops few times a week as I need the $ soon as I can get it.The imports where I am at are not too bad yea its bit weird,as far as the holes drilled I have seen that but not in many years.They make some good glass I hate to say in but some stuff is really not to bad,better that most of the no name blower I know by far.I am off the blow some more glass,I wish you all the best in fight the china market but I really think they have won.

[Nomad]

I will admit that I have a low overhead. I just pay for propane and glass right now. I got electric included and the shed I built for a few thousand dollars. I do have child support to pay for and food ect.... phone bill, car insurance. But I did get hooked up on a few things. No oxygen bill anymore because I got two oxygen generators.
I am going to be moving and paying rent of about $200 month on the studio electric included minimum. Maybe buy a ghetto house but the taxes are kind of high at $6,000 a year but still is kind of cheap... I don't know yet. This place is for sale. Once it sells I could maybe get a loan.
The ornaments made me about half the money for sure easy. I mean they were a couple hundred a week at $10 wholesale each.

If that at all helps?

[LRG]

Yea its been a lot harder for me after I could not blow where I live,I hope my shop just blows up and kills me most days, so don't listen to me I am crazy.

[Nomad]

I should raise my prices for sure. But I am not sure how I would make any sales. But it is an issue.
My GF gets upset about it because she makes over $100K a year and she can hardly afford to live herself. Between student loans, credit cards, rent and utilities, private school for her kid. She has like $100 week expendable income.
I actually have more expendable income how things are then her. But if I move out I will be lucky to have any money at all.
So yes I am investigating how to raise prices and maybe make other things that I can make more money on.
Everyone got real upset that I wanted to raise the price of the ornaments to $50 each after seeing Simon Pearce's clear ornaments for $50 each.

[Nomad]

I could use some paid sicks days also. I got this really bad lower back ache. I hope it is just from putting extra hours behind the torch.
I hate going to the doctor. But my guts were hurting me and I got a stomach virus at the same time. I worked through it anyways. But this past holidays were not the of the best health.
So the biggest problem is working through illness, etc... I am happy that people are patient and still give me work even when I get sick and have to take off. This year I had a few medical problems actually. I am hoping for a better year coming up.

[menty666]

Everyone got real upset that I wanted to raise the price of the ornaments to $50 each after seeing Simon Pearce's clear ornaments for $50 each.

Simon Pearce also has the established "Simon Pearce" name and brand. It's like how Dale Chihuly ('s minions) could duplicate an ornament I made and probably get $150 because of the name where I'm lucky to see $20, all because of the established name.

[LRG]

I honestly have thought about buying your spoons and reselling them out here in cail!Easy 10$ I know you make so you gotta keep shit moving and all I play the same game but you do need to bump it up!!! I was too low too but after having a kid I don't care,I get as much $$$ out of everyone as I can.Hey what opened my eyes was my buddy posted my spoons on facebook in 10 packs for auction,say starts at 60$ they pay fees and shipping all that and give it I try.I get twice as much as normal on there,I was putting milli's on them here and there just adding a bit of love.
I fell you on the health I really fucked my shit up with my old torch and no fans this year,still biting down on my jaw so hard it breaks my teeth,I can't even believe I have not died yet but think it will be soon .I have to stop blowing but I really can't today I am going to dig holes out to fix a broken fence.I wish I could get a real job but I am a working man kinda guy and have my baby girl in the day so no jobs fit me so far,too top it off I am really bad with reading writing,only cam do the simple stuff,stopped school way to young.I did roofing I know back pain that is no fun!!!
I really was done blowing the other day,gonna stop,the second I took off the hose my broken phone rang...no way it should ring,screen was black too and no way I could answer but heard a old buddy talking,tripped me out,the wife charged it in a puddle of water by mistake anyhow he says ,you still blowing glass?I need to learn for you,be there in a week,ill set up shop!!!Maybe something bigger than me want me to blow glass and it really is all I have in my life,I sold everything I own,other that a pair of shoes and the same hoodie I wear everyday, I own nothing at all other than my glass tools right now,I do have some e cig stuff I was so happy to been given but that is it.Still no cigs!!!Make you 2016 great!!!For me I think my days are numbered but it is ok I had a good enough life,don't sell your self short!
My year started of like last,not too good,walking home from shop last night car with guys in it pulled over and tried to rob me,wrong dude to fuck with!!Lost my shit on them and pulled out my knife in the street and tried to stab them,someone called the cops before I could catch the fucks running down the street,lucky for me because I would of ended there lives,car was towed right in front of my house.Lucky to see today!!!

[MUPH]

The ornaments made me about half the money for sure easy

What?

[Nomad]

Yeah maybe but I have seen Dale Chihuli's minions sell glass he taught them how to make for a lot of money also.
I have been selling $20 ornaments for a very long time now maybe 20 years.


Simon Pearce also has the established "Simon Pearce" name and brand. It's like how Dale Chihuly ('s minions) could duplicate an ornament I made and probably get $150 because of the name where I'm lucky to see $20, all because of the established name.

[Oneiros]

So increase your prices and find new clientele...doesn't seem to be particularly challenging logic. I'm consistently blown away by the prices I see on fairly simple glass baubles in knick-knack shops and craft fairs...even moreso when I see people buying them! I'm completely new to this and have already had some clients tell me that they think some of the work they've purchased is underpriced. When I get that sort of input, I ask them if they wouldn't mind sharing my work with their friends and acquaintances (on the assumption that at least some of them have comparable money to burn) and make sure that I have at least a few items targeted at that price range.

It seems to me like people get the clientele they court (to some extent). Please don't take this the wrong way, but it seems like you repeatedly put yourself in this position (as evidenced by the numerous threads in which this exact issue has become the focal point).

With all the experience you've got, why not engage in some different approaches and find people willing to pay for it? I've seen multiple threads where multiple people suggest this to you and it seems like you always have a justification as to why it's not feasible or some plans for the future, but then this exact issue crops up again.

Ain't nothing to it but to do it.

Just my unsolicited $.02 as someone with minimal experience.

[Nomad]

Sorry we are getting so off track. This thread is about the guys in China making tubes isn't it?


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[Nomad]

I use computers to make my life easier. They replace all the other human jobs in my studio . I just blow glass. Everything else is digital.


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[Swim]

its not just that simple. Nomads prices are fairly in line with the norm, when it comes to selling to a distributor. There has to be some room for the distributor to make money.

[unfunraygun]

Fat white guy making money off someone elses hard work? That is a decent shop though and better to rep them over alot of other shops. I still dont shop at ABR because paul would never post pics/vids of their asian shops. Oh yeah fuck ABR imagery! If you know then you know!

[Swim]

gender race and body image specific.... going hard as ever. I think you will eventually put ABR out of biz.... they need your rep to survive.

[Nomad]

Well abr did not send me a Christmas card this year. I love there sales.


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[jr23]

You love there price sale or no sale nomad .

When you make 6 dollar spoons , bottom dollar on supplies is your concern .


And the cheep bulk Millie's they have .

Odd note abr used to buy bulk from many Millie artist and had some stock so long that it became vintage .

I see all of those are gone , but I do see slices of Millie sold at abr on Facebook .

[Nomad]

I think it costs 50 cents to make a wrap and rake spoon.
My distributor gave me the name of a milli maker. I bought all the peace sign milli he had for $2 gram. So I have like 50 grams right now.


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[jr23]

But back to topic that shop in video is set to run .

It's shops just like that filling the head shops with work .

Most of you think it's 6 -10 year old kids .

I have seen some glass India vids with a pre teen making glass brackets using a plastic bag of gas for fuel.

I am in no way advocating child labor, although if I lived there and was a kid I know my love of interesting things and fire would have me standing in line to work .

As far as India goes lots of kids would not get schooled because of
Cast system .

China is like that in some areas