Noob pics *open fire*

[James Lewis]

It should hopefully thank you.

[James Lewis]

heres what i did last night. Their in order from left to right. Lastnight when i was trying to fall asleep i realized i was going about this wrong. The shape ive been after has been under my nose since i started. If you look at the vase im trying to get and the ones im making. I realized i have the shape i was just to stupid to see it. Flip mine upside down and put the neck and mouth on the bottom and there you go the shape ive been after. All it is is gravity not punty no tricky blowing just heat and gravity. Thank you so much Anymie for pushing me and aussie to and everyone else that stuck on my ass about working with clear. I feel more inspired and confi

[James Lewis]

A snowman i made you for one of the guys i work with i think the shaping could of been a bit better around the head but overall i was happliy suprise with it

[Big Jay]

Wow I may be a little too late on this, but putting your art out there on display only a month or so into torching probably isn't the best idea. Although your family and close friends will tell you how amazing the stuff you make is, the rest of the world will not be as forgiving. In a few years you'll look back and understand. It's like telling your 16 year old daughter why she shouldn't date that one guy and she runs off and marries him. Fast forward 3 years as she's cradling her bastard child looks up and says why didn't I listen to you. Morale.. I guess you just gotta live it to see how stupid some of the shit you do is. The you is people in general.

Long story short.. you got a long way to go before you aren't just selling to friends and family. Yeah it's expensive to put what you are making in the trash, but you'll be better for it in the long run. If you want to start selling, pick one damn thing, make it till it's perfect, throw away everything made prior, then take that to the store. Oh wait that's been said already.

[faded]

i know people who bought some of the first pipes i ever made. they were janky as fuck. they have come back recently and bought some of my newer stuff. they still have the earlier work of mine. they are more than happy to own examples of my progress. these are not friends or family, but random customers.

i wonder what a "first year" piece from a top artist is worth.

why would you throw away something that someone is willing to pay you for? i've sold everything i have ever made. other than a few pieces i kept for sentimental reasons.

seems like there are a lot of silly made up "rules".

i'm sure i'm wrong though. i always am.

[Dan Kooper]

The middle one doesn't look bad. Just keep at it.

[James Lewis]

Im not selling the vases if thats what your thinking Big Jay. The snowman was something that coworker just asked if i could do so i gave it a crack. Hes the second snowman. Not trying to defend my work or really sell it as much anymore. Lately ive just been pulling tubing for the guy im apprenticing for its a two hour drive there and back but its worth every penny. Hes gonna help me get into the pipe market around here but really im just doing it to learn from a awesome artist (in my eyes at least).

[Big Jay]

Im not selling the vases if thats what your thinking Big Jay. The snowman was something that coworker just asked if i could do so i gave it a crack.

Lately ive just been pulling tubing for the guy im apprenticing for its a two hour drive there and back but its worth every penny. Hes gonna help me get into the pipe market around here but really im just doing it to learn from a awesome artist (in my eyes at least).

That's your best market right now. The reason why you wait is because some stores have a memory. Some are super cool of course and will support your career and progression, others will remember that first stuff you sold them with the wonky holes and shallow dishes that no one would buy and god forbid it come back cracked. Some will take advantage of knowing you haven't been in the game very long and getting your prices up will be tough.

You are apprenticing though and that is your best source for how to approach your local market. If you do nothing else keep pulling those tubes! Good luck, sounds like you are headed in the right direction.

[istandalone24/7]

wow bunch of asshats here.

there is nothing wrong with newbies posting progression threads.

James, don't drink the koolaid. it'll make you act like 80% of the members here.

[Big Jay]

there is nothing wrong with newbies posting progression threads.

James, don't drink the koolaid. it'll make you act like 80% of the members here.

Nobody, at least no posts I've read, said anything wrong with new progression threads. Matter of fact they are usually appreciated as people can see what is going wrong and where to direct help.

It's amazing that everyone who has been in glass for any length of time has the same advice, but because it's not what new glass blowers want to hear then clearly people are assholes for saying it. Most of the glassholes I've met, were people who didn't know how to blow glass. Just about every single person I met on this forum since starting my glass blowing adventure right here on this forum in 2007, has overwhelmed me with help. Of course I never said oh that's cool show me how, then said no I don't want to do it that way without even trying first. As much as people don't want to believe it, glass blowers love their family.

[Plum Tuckered]

No wonder you stand alone...no one likes a know it all with very little life experience. Oh and before you start typing some sort of long winded reply about your life experience, please know that I don't care. STFU, learn more and run your mouth less. You will get a lot further in this world.

I have met a bunch of folks from this forum in person and have nothing but love for every single one of them. Seems to me that if out of 100% of the people i have met from here all of which have been not just cool but also amazing teachers that maybe you don't know what the fuck you're talking about...just saying. Maybe you should meditate on the fact that it may not be the people here, it's probably you. These people don't get paid to help people learn glass. They do it for the love of glass. If you're around here for a while you will be hazed (especially with a shitty attitude like yours). We all have taken our licks and you show a lot about yourself by how you take it. There is tons of love here, kill the attitude and find the love.

[istandalone24/7]

i was replying to big jays comment "but putting your art out there on display only a month or so into torching probably isn't the best idea"
i made no comment that should make you think i "know it all" and have a whole life's experience. your deductive reasoning needs some work. it's funny.....you're bitching about me "reading into things" and yet....you are making more out of my post then it really deserves. in your fucked up world, if a newbie simply doesn't agree with a vet, they're labeled "entitled, ungrateful etc".
regardless of what you all say, that's an asshat comment if there ever was one. people should be proud of their progress. i am.
so why don't you "stfu" instead of picking fun at people's username....dr phil would have a field day with many of you people.
what a joke some of you are.

[Big Jay]

i was replying to big jays comment "but putting your art out there on display only a month or so into torching probably isn't the best idea"

regardless of what you all say, that's an asshat comment if there ever was one.
so why don't you "stfu" instead of picking fun at people's username....dr phil would have a field day with many of you people.

If you would have read the whole thread instead of just the comment, you would know I was talking about an art display he put up at his local library and trying to get his art in shows at less than a month of torching. Think you need to check who is the asshat.

Attachment 43215

My display at the local library not much but it helps get me out into the world a bit more. On the 17th my work will be displayed at the emporia kansas art center. Im hoping to be a permant artist there permitting the show goes well. I finally got the micro torch so ill be posting some pics of my revised misltoe soon hopefully. If there is a relegion for that little guy id like to join lol.

[istandalone24/7]

i have read the whole thread. go take a toke and mellow out there tiger.

[Chad S]

mmm nice snowman... I think that's what it is

[Big Jay]

i have read the whole thread. go take a toke and mellow out there tiger.

Yeah I get it, I am legitimately trying to help the guy out with his career. You call me an asshat, but I'm the one who needs to go mellow out. I wouldn't expect you to say hey I misread what you were trying to say and I'm sorry my mistake.

[istandalone24/7]

why would i apologize when you jumped on my shit? yes i may have misread what you posted but you over-reacted big time.

[James Lewis]

Please everyone calm down. Big jay the advice would of been good when i first started but ive been working for alittle over a year now. The ornaments were something i was displaying mainly. Ive done over a 150 of them. Still trying to improve with them. But now all i want to do is learn from my mentor his work is awesome and i just wish to learn im not veiwing this as work just a method of self control. So everyone please relax and feel the flow.

[James Lewis]

This is the center of 2ft peice of tubing i just pulled the best one yet. How ever the deep sea inbetween the azul and twilight was bubbly as all hell. So not the best looking color wise but best in thickness and diameter. Still got alot of tubing to pull though.

[James Lewis]

this is one of three stripe and pulls i did tonight. My last one i did the base tube was around 5inches. Part of me said to cut it down after i striped it the other said go for it you pussy so i did and i pulled it off but the last ended cracked all to shit but im happy i went through with it xD.