.....has anyone ever.....?

[fl0werchilde]

Has anyone else here ever felt like they were in a slum so bad that everything ...and i do mean EVERYTHING that you try to make fails miserably?

I don't want to be on a negative - belive me -

but for a long...long time now i have been dealing with this - it seems like no matter what i do - it ends up in the trash - i've had whole tube pulls split in half in the kiln; for some reason i cannot get my connections right - (...you know, without the clear gaps...) - it's like i have completely forgotten how to bridge my work - stacking reversals is a complete nightmare - when i go and try to make a flat disc shape - i can't do it - not without blurring the pattern all to hell - the list goes on and on....and it's very depressing so I am going to stop.

but has anyone else been through this?
and if so - what did you do to change it....or what did it take to bring you out of it?

thanks in advance for any help/suggestions
- tiff

[chayes]

I think everyone gets it. Its probaly comparable to writers block.

[misled youth]

hey,
i just went through this with prodo awhile back!!! i could make some nice heady work or vases and shit without a problem. then when i tried to make prodo all hell would break loose!!
i got a bunch of different opinions from this site and tried them all. in the end everything got better.
if your burning color turn down the heat AND work slower.
if your fuking up tube pulls, stop doing them for a bit. or blow them out a bit more.
just work a bit slower.
i been at glass for 7-8 years now and i will tell you it happens.
i believe it is comparible to writers block like chayes said.
just relax, maybe take a safety break? or maybe take a few less safety breaks LOL

[somberbear]

i have been in a slump lately as well. so i took a break during the hot part of the year.

sold off my stuff i could to be comfy.... i now have no made glass sitting around....

Now im working on my shop and doing every thing i neglect while i work on my glass. and go out and see friends and get ideas...

Then im getting a boot in the ass At agi...

But no when it happends to me ... just keep working... its your frustration thats holding you now. You just have to work threw it or try something new... get a copy of contemp lampworking and try something new... go back to basics even can help. look at how you work and where it goes wrong.

Do some meditation/tia chi/yoga/what have you to find your center... and get rid of stress...

Do some research figure out where you want to be....

You just lost your grove... it will come back but you gotta keep at the torch, and find it agian... kick on some new music and see if you can just have fun for a few days and not care about what you make just play see what you come out with.

Good luck
rob

[Swampy]

What Rob said Tiff, plus;

I find it's the distractions that fuck up my flow.

Like my daughter's boyfriend who was great a year ago is now a pondlife dipshit and treating her and the kid so bad.

Having to make and produce so you can eat is tough too and if you're hungry it either generates more focus or more distraction. Intoxicants only make it worse.

Do you have any other skill use could use to supplement your income?

Constant new music and messing in the garden (even better when it's raining) helps for me, gives me time to think and focus.

I also found that everything goes in an upward spiral, so next time you hit your peak/get your flow, you will be making better stuff. Sometimes just sharing how you feel helps a lot, some people do it by conversation, I do it through what I create. That's my lifetime experience anyway.

Paul

[Anakin's Glass Eye]

I have extreme creative/productive swings - high highs and low lows. I can't tell you how many times I almost made up my mind to sell it all and just get a job at Citgo. In four plus years of torching I've learned two important things: First, when your creative muse is on vacation, don't push it. Realize that it's just not happenin and it's best to either take a break, or do busy work prodo - you know, easy stuff that you've done a gazillion times. If you do take a break from torching, don't feel obligated to beat yourself up about not working. It's important to take breaks and refresh, look for new inspirations, do something different that might jog your imagination, a road trip, a long hike, etc. I've taken breaks up to three weeks where I did not even light up the torch. Sometimes you just have to wait until you have "that" feeling again - you know, the feeling like you just can't wait to torch cuz you have so many ideas. The second thing I've learned is never give up on a piece mid way. I can't count how many times I've been half way (up to two hours) into a marble and I knew it was gonna be crap. I've forced myself to always finnish and use it as a "final shaping practice opportunity." I will admit there's been a couple times where I dumped an almost finnished marble in the scrap can but it is rare. I think this has been a valuable habit to develop. The alternative would be ugly. I could see myself dumping better than half my work in the scrap can if I did not work at it.

Also, realize that you are not unusual. In my experience, most creative people go through creative slumps and peaks. Maturing and growing as a person and as an artist helps to smooth the peaks and level the valleys.

Hope this helps.

Brad

[JDeMoss]

Man, a couple of weeks ago I almost started this thread. I bet 1/3 of everything I did checked in the kiln. It seemed like everything else would somehow work it's way out of my hands and crash in a heap on the floor.....right as I was finishing it. There were days that I just knew were going to be shit even before I turned the torch on (I'm not sure if it was a self fulfilling prophecy or just being in touch with what a shitty day feels like). I couldn't believe how much time I spent on the torch and how little finished product came out.

And then it turned into this wierd mix of everything going shitty, but the pieces all turning out great. It was about my attitude. I just relaxed. I would have a piece crack on me and I would just fix it instead of getting pissed. I had a couple of piece crack multiple times and before I would have given up on them. But I began using it as practice/learining experiences and fixed them all. It was a huge growing period for me.

So, yep, we all go though it. You just need to smile and plow through it until things change.

[bc]

You go up n down, it does happen. Like one person said, slow down a bit. I've notice my work level ws going down cause I was trying to bust out quicker. Relax, streesing it isn't gonna help, it makes you worse, relize that an then beat this problem. Stick in there.

[lucidvisions]

It happens to the best of us. Glass can take an imense amount of concentration and love and believe me when you're not harnessing that to the fullest thing can only go a bit wrong. I've been so stressed and angry lately, that when I have been working it's taking me many more trys to accomplish what I desire, so i went disc golfing, played my best game and felt a lot more relaxed....go figure.
Josh

[β]

i try to make small cute things when i get frustrated. I was in a rut, and couldn't make anything right, so i tried mini small vases and went back to practicing tech. that might make it more frustrating, but it gave me some ideas, just my two cents......

[Rexwerx]

Hey,

If accident is the Mother of invention, then mistakes are surely the Father...

...........Bird


mistakes (http://www.rexwerx.com/pieces.html)

[bc]

Hey bird, I just came back to the board, glad to see your back also. Stick around an check as often as you can. Remember you from the old board when there was like 20 of us. Your website still around? POst'her if so. piece.

[fl0werchilde]

i kinda knew that i need safety breaks - but i'm in a bit of a predicament when it comes to taking safety breaks - now - don't get me wrong - i love my daughter; and i spend 3/4 of my time with her - but when I come inside to take a break, then try to go back out again Gracë will totally phreak the hell out, crying, screaming & clinging to my leg.....and her father is no help whatsoever - he didn't want me to go out to work in the first place, and if i try to go out again; then he doesn't hesitate to tell me...in surround sound, mind you, that I'm an inferior, selfish, neglectful, all-around bad mom for wanting to go to work to pay the bills, since he is unemployed again - now yeah - that's a load of un-needed stress right there....you don't have to tell me - believe me - I know.
I know that I need to get rid of the loser -it's in the works - but divorce (oh look - another element of added stress...) is EXPENSIVE (...$$$ that I don't have - well - there's yet another sadistic strain on my blood pressure...) and any of you that have been through a divorce KNOW it is and know the stress levels involved; now picture this ...try keeping it a secret while pretending that there's nothing wrong until you are all but moved out of the state - I should get an Academy Award at the end of this performance

Do some research figure out where you want to be....
somberbear- you pointed out something there
- I know where I want to be - i just don’t have the funds to move me and my little girl and all my equipment BACK to Oregon...(I have 2 copies of Contemporary Lampworking though - the 2 volume set and the 2nd edition too... )
rightnow i think its like 112 outside
who the hell wants to work molten glass in that? It’s miserable; and i do it - but I think that the heat contributes to a lot of the stress that is holding me back I think....
I'm in a pretty bad creative slump/financial bind/up the proverbial creek without a paddle -
BUT
It’s not like I am just starting out at this on a National 6b and a tin full of vermiculite - I’ve got quite an investment in my equipment - A Mirage, a Phantom, two kilns....just to name a few things - and I've got 5+ years into this glass obsession - I love blowing glass more than anything, it’s the only thing i feel passionate about anymore - and there's nothing in the world that I would rather do - and definitely there is nothing in this world that is going to make me quit - not even the heat here - it sure slows me down - I can only work @ nights in the summertime.....and there isn't that big of a temp difference when the sun goes down here - it's miserable all the time - even with the 2 A/C units going full force - coz my ventilation just sucks it right out through the ceiling; - did I mention about the bugs?? - I have to drench myself in ‘OFF! Deep Woods’ insect repellent every time that I go out to the shop at night in the summertime - if I don’t - then I’ll get eaten alive by the mosquitoes and the pinscher bugs; even all that unnecessary bullshit won’t make me quit -


I just relaxed. I would have a piece crack on me and I would just fix it instead of getting pissed.
I don't get pissed so much as i become 'discombobulated' - you know - thrown into a state of disconcerting confusion, I did everything right ; just, not in the right order. :depressed

The second thing I've learned is never give up on a piece mid way.
Anakin - that’s something that I have always wanted to be able to do - and it does seem that no matter how hard I may try to keep from getting mixed up - it happens every time; I’ll arrange sections in a certain order in the kiln before taking a break; it never fails - when I return; I’ll grab a section - & connect it backwards - then realize....much to my horror - that I opened the hole on the wrong side of the section, and the design is facing the wrong way. :bangHead:

:contempla :contempla I don't know - :( I guess I needed to vent:rant:a little - :o: :o:

thanks to all that lended an ear/eye
and thanks for the shared insight -
....and sorry if i brought anyone down - that wasn't my intention at all

[somberbear]

Thats what we are here for as a community... to be here and support each other. I believe we have one of the strongest memberships i can think of , on any board i have been on. And im thankful for it and that i get a chance to work around here with all these wonderful and talented people. Even skip.....

We all vent. It helps.

Stress definatly doesnt help making glass... And it sounds like a very complicated time. It seams you have found what you want and go for it. If your happy or sad it will show in the glass... i oddly do some of my best work while depressed... and i do alot of work while im happy just not the same quality.

It sounds like you have alot going on... but it will get better... it always does. Atleast your not a house wife with no skills. you have alot going for you 5 years experiance and equipment can mean alot. I would say try and use your glass as an escape. break some glass in the bucket if it makes you feel better.. water aneal a few things and dump it...

Every one has stuff going on... its how you work threw it and get to your goals that seperate you from every one else.

rob

[kruger]

work on another art form

im just as serious and passionate about music as i am as glass. whenever i get bored with something, or i dont feel it at the moment, i just jump to something else, and keep jumping till i find my grove for the moment, weater it be an hour, a day, a week...etc....

lately ive been struggling through a few hours of torch work, but aspects of producing beats which are usually a pain in the butt come easy... i dunno

[john madden]

yeh i know how you feel. make you feel like your gonna have a nervous breakdown. i had simmilar problems but for how frustrating they are they teach you the wrong way to do things, so your learning at least the ways not to do it. that gets you that much closer to the right way of doing it. try to look at it like that. its hard like i wanted to quit when i first started doing tube pulls and all that shit. took me a while bofore i got some of that stuff down. just keep at it childe

[Vapor Glass]

why are your tube pulls in the kiln? the ends?

lessons always make life easier... i know you said you dont have loot, let alone loot for lessons. but how else are you going to learn quickly? i didnt read anyones replys but if your stressed going to work, it will translate into you work useually. stay positive.

[HumanLathe]

Another thing that helps some people is to write down how you feel on paper and also write down how you want to feel, remind yourself that there is good within you even though sometimes everything around you is crumbling. Your mind/body is very powerful, remember that!! The humans incredible self healing power can be so amazing to me. Look deep and remind yourself of the happiness and better times you have had, tell yourself you will get there again. Convince yourself that you have chosen a path and that you will be determined to stay on it against all odds that may come before you. There is light at the end of the tunnel for all that have had these feelings. This too will pass…….

[fl0werchilde]

:o: :cry2: awww man - now i can't turn off the waterworks:cry2: :o: lol :)


thanks guys

[kruger]

it sounds like your fighting pretty hard for something you want, more so than just giving up and saying fuck it. stick with it, life comes in chapters, it will all change if you want it to, remember that you control your life.


- it's miserable all the time - even with the 2 A/C units going full force - coz my ventilation just sucks it right out

with my kiln on and torches ragin it gets above 110 in my studio, but outside its only 105 at the most. i dont even mess with ac anymore, its like watching money fly out the window. i just put a fan under my bench pointed upwards at me, and keep a constant supply of cool water going into me and i can actually feel rather comfortable.

[Kool]

Not sure where you are, but I assume it must be desert like. If so, evaporative coolers work well for cooling and cost a fraction of a/c (which doesn't work for shit with glassblowing in high heat areas). You just have to get one or two big enopugh to put more cfm into your shop than you are pullling out (like twice as much). I know you probably don't have the coin to do it now, but thought I'd mention in case later you can or if you are there next year, etc. We need one here, too, but couldn't aford the time and cost to install it this year. We could porbably swing it now, but the hottest part has passed. Now it's around 95 to 100, which we can deal with. 115 sucks, though, so I can relate. It gets to me like that, too, where things that wouldn't normally be a problem are huge. Good luck and stick with it.

[fl0werchilde]

115 - hehe where you at.....next door?

thanks for the tip - I'll keep it in mind

[Kool]

Redding....our wave was a few weeks back (I think 117 was the highest) but we're still in the danger zone...hopefully it'll stay below 105, I find that's my breaking point.

[fl0werchilde]

redding! close to cHico right? I took the amtrak from portland thru redding to Chico bout four years ago! man that was a fun trip :)

[Kool]

Yeah, about an hour away.