A Glass Blowers Birthday Present, Help

[JasonG]

Hello Talk Glass forum it's great to be here,

I have a deaf friend "Jason" who I met on holiday in Cambodia about 4 years ago. Ever since we have kept in contact gone out for drinks and he's even shown me a few of his glass blowing skills, what a talent. As you in the title, it is his birthday coming up soon and I'm wanting to get him something that can be used for when he is blowing his glass. He has made me many of presents in the past from smoking pipes to elephant ornament for my wife and all I have been able to give in return is a few beers.

So, my friend Jason has been blowing glass for many years so I assume he has pretty much everything he could want but I don't know much about glass blowing so the chances are I could be wrong. This is where you guys come in, hopefully, to give me some ideas/advice on what I could get or do that would make his day a special one. Is there any kind of tools/instruments that need replacing regularly? or maybe one that he could keep for all his glass blowing days? I have used my usual site http://www.for-sale.co.uk/ and there are loads of options but where to start would be great.

This is something that would mean a lot to my friend, being he is a really hearty, friendly person. Really looking forward to speaking with you all and seeing what really goes into glass blowing.

Thanks

89383

[snoopdog6502]

The thing a glass artist loves is more glass. now does he work with a furnace or is he a lampworker working with a bench torch?

[JasonG]

Glass makes sense I suppose. Are there any particular types of glass or any stained or clear glass would be fine? And I think he uses a furnace

thanks for the reply

[menty666]

If he's a furnace worker, you might consider something from here:

http://www.hotblocktools.com/

He makes quality tools and the prices are great. I've ordered a few blocks from him, so I can vouch for the quality.

[Jackass Glass]

often a cool idea would be an "antique" tool or book etc. something historical... but i dont mean expensive. just cool.

[dustyg]

If he does torchwork, you could get him a little bit of 24k gold and/or 99.9% silver (doesn't have to be much). We use it for fuming glass, and I think it'd make a nice symbolic gift.

It's hard to recommend tools or even materials without knowing what he does and what he has.

[istandalone24/7]

agree, precious metals are always a great gift for a lampworker. maybe some opals, or a gift cert from Profound Glass (sells opals and fuming metals among other things).

[JasonG]

I wasn't actually sure if you could just by gold or silver in blocks. Are there specific jewelers or banks I would have to visit for this? Precious metals is a brilliant idea because he can then introduce it into his Glass work.

[Jackass Glass]

http://www.mountainglass.com/Products/Fuming-Metals-Opals-Quartz/

heres a link to what you would be looking for from one of the suppliers i use.

anything on this page would be great - with the exception of the quartz rod and tube. avoid that link.

[Nomad]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/171823230617

I get my silver for fuming here.

Everything else I get at www.abrimagery.com

[JasonG]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/171823230617

I get my silver for fuming here.

Everything else I get at www.abrimagery.com

Thank you for the link to the silver! that was a lot easier than expected