A journey to enjoy and remember.

In 2015 I purchased the most beautiful piece of hand-made glass I've ever seen. Once it arrived my oldest Son Kory fell in love with it too. I gave it to him in memory of a dear friend of his, Journi, who's life had been cut short. We called it the Journi Pipe. On July 10, 2015 Kory's life was cut short from medicine to cure a tooth infection.

I contacted the artist who made the pipe and since it was a limited edition they are not making any more pieces so... I've decided to make fumed glass in memory of Kory and to help keep myself occupied while spend time with him doing something we both should enjoy. Unlike his father Kory was an amazing artist so I'm counting on his help. I'm not looking to re-create the Journi Pipe just looking to create some fumed glass that I will enjoy. I hope to have my first novice fumed piece by July 10th of this year after I gather all the necessary tools and supplies.

I'm starting with a pre-mix top Redmax, no lessons and very little experience but waaay too much time on my hands. Hopefully I'll have everything together and my first novice piece of fuming before July 10 of this year. I've already come to appreciate the lampworking community here on The Melting Pot and looking forward to learning from you all.

Erik

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You have come to the right place.

Let us know what gaps we can fill in for you.

Sorry for your loss. I hope this journey brings you peace

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Thank you. It's already giving me peace and something to look forward to. I just paid for my Homefill II and concentrator so all I need now is a whip :-P, some gold, silver, a few boro rods, ventilation (I hope I'm not forgetting anything) plus lots & lots of practice.

Glasses^
I got a half coin of silver with your name on it , shoot me a PM

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Im sorry to hear about your loss, but welcome. You've come to a wonderful community! You need some glasses too if you haven't already gotten some. I would recommend aura lenses but I don't think they are taking any orders right now. If you need some tubing I have some 26mm×4mm schott I'll send you if you pay shipping!

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Oops looks like we commented at the same time haha

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Wow. Being a father of 4 I'm not used to anyone trying to taking care of ME. I appreciate the kind gestures and advice. I went back over my orders from this weekend and realized the glasses I got are for soft glass (less than $40) Oops! I thought sodium flare was my only concern... Checking to see if I can change the order before they actually ship. You are all awesome. Thank you!

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Originally Posted by ksglass

Wow. Being a father of 4 I'm not used to anyone trying to taking care of ME. I appreciate the kind gestures and advice. I went back over my orders from this weekend and realized the glasses I got are for soft glass (less than $40) Oops! I thought sodium flare was my only concern... Checking to see if I can change the order before they actually ship. You are all awesome. Thank you!

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One thing I've noticed about this forum (and the thing that keeps me coming back) is that so many people are willing to help.

Welcome to TMP and sorry for your loss.

Thank you all. You guys really are pretty darn cool. Appreciated very much. I got my graphite tools from a member who hand builds them. They are pretty cool. Can't wait to use em even though I don't know what half of them are for.

I've bought so many things lately and was confused on my glasses. I guess I just bought my propane regulator, a couple outside grippers and a V-neck tool but no glasses. I have been considering a glass plate mounted on a stand or even a face shield after learning you can get a sun burn from the process. With my red hair & fair skin if a sun burn is possible I'll get one. Since I'm new to this I'm not sure if a shield that mounts to my Redmax similar to my torch-mounted marver is available but I haven't been able to find one and not sure it would even work since I'm so new to this.

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Originally Posted by ksglass

Thank you all. You guys really are pretty darn cool. Appreciated very much. I got my graphite tools from a member who hand builds them. They are pretty cool. Can't wait to use em even though I don't know what half of them are for.

I've bought so many things lately and was confused on my glasses. I guess I just bought my propane regulator, a couple outside grippers and a V-neck tool but no glasses. I have been considering a glass plate mounted on a stand or even a face shield after learning you can get a sun burn from the process. With my red hair & fair skin if a sun burn is possible I'll get one. Since I'm new to this I'm not sure if a shield that mounts to my Redmax similar to my torch-mounted marver is available but I haven't been able to find one and not sure it would even work since I'm so new to this.

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I'm as Irish as it gets. If I was any paler, I'd be transparent. I burst into flames in direct sunlight. But I haven't really had too much problem with sunburn on the torch. I have had a couple days when I know I'm going to be working on some big stuff for a long time and on those days I just put on some sunscreen. I tried one of those shields but it kept getting in my way.

Definitely go with sunscreen! My Blastshield with ir/UV protection helps keep my face from melting off for sure

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I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing pics of your beautiful family with us.

I'm glad you found us, reached out, and will let us be here. We are a big family, and we look out for our own. So like they said, you've come to the right place.

Please hit me up if you have any forum questions or troubles. Sorry if the pics load sideways sometimes, I'm trying to fix it but I need a clone. Or longer days with double the hours maybe. Or super powers, not sure. one of those things :lol I will get it fixed eventually.

Show us your glass and shop :)

Erik, thanks for sharing your story with us. It must have been very difficult for you. You have all my support, send me a message if you ever need advice or solidarity. Just about every single user you will see on this forum is good people. You have a plàce in my heart now, and I am not bullshitting. You came to the right place my friend.

Sorry for your loss. Like everyone else has said this community is great. They have helped me immensely not with just glass but also personal issues. I'll throw you the same offer that Jay did. I have quite a bit of 4 x 25mm (it is Chinese though so keep that in mind) and some 12mm blow tubes I could toss your way if you want to cover the shipping. Might be able to toss a bit of silver in there for you too. Whatever helps you out.

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Originally Posted by JayBoogie

Im sorry to hear about your loss, but welcome. You've come to a wonderful community! You need some glasses too if you haven't already gotten some. I would recommend aura lenses but I don't think they are taking any orders right now. If you need some tubing I have some 26mm×4mm schott I'll send you if you pay shipping!

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I love my Oakley's and the Aura site says they make lenses for Oakley's. Even though their prices are steep I'll prolly end up getting them sooner or later if they can fit the style I wear or at least fit a style I like. I'm very confused on the different types of tinting. I plan to work boro and soft glass so do I need two sets, split lenses? I thought didymium glasses were the only thing to be concerned about. Thank you for the offer on the tubing.

I tend to dive into things head first but realized there was way more than just buying a torch and a propane tank so I knew what I was getting into and the learning process has been a great experience for my youngest son, Kaden & I. We even have a cool idea that we might share with you all some day if it really ends up being as useful as we think. So far I've enjoyed learning something new and interesting plus I LOVE FIRE! I can't wait to learn first hand the colors melt & interact, how to flare a spoon, to try out the different types of fumes and figure out how you guys make everything look so darn pretty! This might be good for my ADD too :bouncy:. I'm looking forward to getting to know you guys & I'll keep you updated on my progress!

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Originally Posted by ksglass

I love my Oakley's and the Aura site says they make lenses for Oakley's. Even though their prices are steep I'll prolly end up getting them sooner or later if they can fit the style I wear or at least fit a style I like. I'm very confused on the different types of tinting. I plan to work boro and soft glass so do I need two sets, split lenses? I thought didymium glasses were the only thing to be concerned about. Thank you for the offer on the tubing.

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He does make them but there is a glass shortage right now so they might be harder to come by, and more expensive. However, these are your eyes we are talking about here, so we don't cut corners. DO NOT BUY OTHER BRANDS! If for some reason you leave the glass industry you can resell your Aura's, so it is a safe investment.

I mostly work boro, and I wear a 3/5 split lens. But I have a 2/4 split lens that I prefer for soft glass, and also might be easier to learn on. 3/5 is pretty dark. 2/4 will cover you for boro or soft, so will 3/5.

When you order your Aura's ask him if he has any glasses for his kid's program. He might have a pair for you to borrow, even when the borrowing is for years. When the kids outgrow them you will need to send them back. It's great that he supports our kids in this way. But with the glass shortage going on, you might not be able to get them for a bit.

Looking forward to seeing some pics by you and the kids. :)

I will plan to get in touch with him this week on the glasses. My Homefill showed up today and it only has 30 hours & the concentrator has less than 1,800 hours only $650.00 plus 2 bottles, papers & misc accessories. I know of a killer deal near Denver if it's still available. Considering the only time I've ever seen a lampworking torch was as a kid in Silver Dollar City about 30 years ago some might say I went a little overboard. But the learning process has been so much fun and I always love getting a good deal. Here's some pictures of the stuff that's shown up so far. I'm looking forward to the Homefill set-up process. I guess I need a whip or may find a way to use the smaller bottles (possibly hook them up together?) that came with the concentrator & compressor.
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30 hours on the homefill. Nice! From what I have been told, the homefill hours matter more than the concentrators. Are you building a whip yourself or are you going to buy one? If you make one, amazon is the place to go for special made fittings, otherwise Home Depot will be your friend. I would suggest hitting up HD first and see if they have everything you will need. You will probably need to get some CGA Nipples off of Amazon though (goes from the whip to the oxy tanks).

If you make it, I have a video that shows my whip pretty well. So does Shawnette. That way you can get an idea on how you might want to configure it.

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Originally Posted by Nuka Glass

30 hours on the homefill. Nice! From what I have been told, the homefill hours matter more than the concentrators. Are you building a whip yourself or are you going to buy one? If you make one, amazon is the place to go for special made fittings, otherwise Home Depot will be your friend. I would suggest hitting up HD first and see if they have everything you will need. You will probably need to get some CGA Nipples off of Amazon though (goes from the whip to the oxy tanks).

If you make it, I have a video that shows my whip pretty well. So does Shawnette. That way you can get an idea on how you might want to configure it.

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I think I'm going to order it from Salt City Glass. Robert called me and explained everything I need and gave me some good, honest advice. I had no idea what I needed or how to hook everything up but I think it's gonna be a snap now. Saved me tons of research and the whip with T connector won't cost me as much as I thought.

SCG are good people. :)

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Originally Posted by JayBoogie

Im sorry to hear about your loss, but welcome. You've come to a wonderful community! You need some glasses too if you haven't already gotten some. I would recommend aura lenses but I don't think they are taking any orders right now. If you need some tubing I have some 26mm×4mm schott I'll send you if you pay shipping!

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My gift showed up today and I was literally floored. Thank you so much for the glass Mr. B. Now I don't have to order anything else to start working. Just have to wait for a few things to arrive.

I picked up a used set of Aura's and a National Blowpipe like you suggested last night.

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nice :)

I don't want to sound nit picky but I hope you meant blowhose? You don't really need a blowtube.

Woot. Excited to see your shop pics soon :)

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Originally Posted by PyroChixRock

nice :)

I don't want to sound nit picky but I hope you meant blowhose? You don't really need a blowtube.

Woot. Excited to see your shop pics soon :)

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I think he means hand torch (:

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You're welcome! I just wanted to help you out like I was helped out when I joined tmp! Like I said before this is an amazing group of people. Almost any info you need can be found once you learn how to search for things properly! Have fun and be safe my man!

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Originally Posted by JayBoogie

I think he means hand torch (:

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ahh ya i see the "national" part now, you're probably right.

I'm stoked to follow your journey! Everything is coming together nicely!

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Originally Posted by JayBoogie

You're welcome! I just wanted to help you out like I was helped out when I joined tmp! Like I said before this is an amazing group of people. Almost any info you need can be found once you learn how to search for things properly! Have fun and be safe my man!

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Yes. National hand torch. Something I can use till I get a more permanent work area.

Wow, I had no idea of your situation when we were communicating via pm... I am very sorry for your loss, I can't imagine. ks is a very generous person, I can personally vouch for this, and everyone who is helping him out is awesome beyond words. I love this place!

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Originally Posted by Madcap Glass

Wow, I had no idea of your situation when we were communicating via pm... I am very sorry for your loss, I can't imagine. ks is a very generous person, I can personally vouch for this, and everyone who is helping him out is awesome beyond words. I love this place!

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Yes. Everyone here has been awesome. I appreciate the deal on the torch and hope you get some good use from it over the next week or so. It's pretty rare for me not to know what to say but I've been left speechless several times from the members on this forum. It was great dealing with you!

I'll be talking my first lampworking class next week with my youngest daughter. I ended up living in Kansas City for the time being and found a beginner class that lets us make marbles instead of beads. Being outside of small town USA I'll be able to rent torch time for now too.

Yeh, I bought a clear 3inch spoon from a good friend of mine who got it on a trip down south from some guy just starting out blowing glass. It was about 6 months later when he passed away on his birthday doing stooped. It's my favorite piece I'll ever have and I'll never let anything happen to it. His funeral card reads " your destiny lies befor you, choose wisely" , it's taped to my oxy regulator to show him I choose this. R.i.P Couch Guy, team w&c for ever.... R.i.P Kory and the rest of the fallen homies.

Sparko, thank you.

I sold some of my equipment and should close on my very modest home Friday the 2nd. The house has a shed that I plan to set my shop up in near Lake of the Ozarks, MO. I still need to pick up a few misc pieces of equipment when I get there and put everything together. I've been pretty fascinated with everything involving glass and am just as excited to try and create some colors someday as I am to piece together my oxygen system that I hope will assist in flame dynamics and in fuming. Kory has been with me through the whole process and glass has given me something to look forward to.

One big step closer to melting & fuming today by closing on a house today. Modest place near Lake of the Ozarks where I get to start building out my shop. It's been a long process since I decided to learn about glass..

My plans have been to use the metal shed with a rock floor for lampworking. I've started to consider loading both of the 10 x 20 storage buildings I'm renting in Kansas into a 40' Conex (shipping container) then take it & my stuff around 400 miles in Central KS then unload everything into my shed. If that works out I might build my workshop inside of the Conex then move on to putting in an office or a bedroom next but one thing at a time... for now I have to drive back to Kansas to get my tools out of storage fix plumbing, put on skirting then do some insulating so I can move in...

For about 12 years I've been saying I'm going to build a house from shipping containers. My plans have changed to connecting the containers together using large plates and bolts for a Lego House. I'll hope to build my dream house here then take it apart and move it to another location. Assuming that day comes I think it would be cool to keep this as getaway spot. Less than 1/2 mile from Lake of the Ozarks boat dock.
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