Lookin' good, Bones

**OceanMelt** · 05-04-2015, 10:30 AM

Thank you both for the info. I'll need to start paying more attention with each situation.

**paulsafo** · 05-06-2015, 05:03 AM

Speaking of silver colors, I tried to do something nice and give a friend some tag queen bee. While thankful at first, he didn't like my response to what he showed me he did with it and immediately turned it into a pissing contest over who could get the best queen bee applications (and who could get the most variation of colors from working it)

Since he's a Piper (he got me started on his Carlisle) I made pipes - apparently it's been awhile! I didn't even bother finishing the second one because I figured my point was proven.

What do you guys think? I don't think this is necessary, but I'm on the left.

I even told him ideal ways to work this color. He's been flame working for 3 years with a short break last year. He will not accept any of my advice because he has thousands of hours on me, but practice doesn't make perfect if you are practicing wrong!! I wish he'd let me help!!! Rawrawrawr!!

**ApeironCreations** · 05-06-2015, 05:15 AM

Pride is a tough thing to overcome... That being said I'm sure you'd be a little salty too if you'd been glassworking for 3 years and still couldn't make a simple spoon...

Unfortunately some people can't be helped because they don't want help in which case it's better to cut your losses and run. You don't need that kind of negativety working against you Paul!!!

**paulsafo** · 05-06-2015, 05:22 AM

True. We are both too prideful haha. I was going to leave it alone until he mentioned the stress on the neck of the pipe top right.

He said "got a little weird on the neck but it's kinda cool. I'm going to market it as a 'special feature.'"

I said, but that's not a special feature it's stress... And he puffed up his chest a bit.

"You're a trip." He says.

I quickly try to change the subject to avoid argument and talk about how it sometimes changes colors in the kiln.

"These won't see the oven. They're done."

Got it. So you're selling unannealed, stressed out spoons.. I'm going all tom cruise over here jumping on oprah's sofa!

I want him to succeed I know how much work he's put into it, but he's going about it the wrong way. Gotta do your homework kiddos.

**paulsafo** · 05-06-2015, 05:29 AM

Actually.. I looked back through my progression here.

Third pipe I ever made looks very similar to his #500 or so. I guess.. I guess this is where I walk away since I can't just keep my mouth shut and say yea looks great.

Bottom pipe I made just short of a year ago. Point that bowl towards ya! Fundamentals. The art of the spoon!!! God damn. I just want to help. He is so determined to be a full time flame worker. I want to see him do it.

**ApeironCreations** · 05-06-2015, 05:42 AM

Pretty much brother... Lampworking is hard, but it's not 500 spoons to get one good spoon hard.

Attention to detail, fundamental knowledges, humility, and patience are keys to being a good Artist... It seems your friend needs to work on a few of those!! It's hard when you don't want to give up on someone because you know they can do better, it's another thing to let him keep doing his thing cause its obvious he's not going to stop. I guess the best you can do for him is to tell him when he's ready to stop fooling around and ready to listen you will try to help him some more.

**paulsafo** · 05-06-2015, 05:46 AM

Misha's free advice thread said something like "if you understand that you can learn from anyone, you will."

Anyone includes people with less torch time with you.

thanks for letting me vent. Tried to keep it limited to my progression thread. Sorry for gunking up the activity stream haha

**CrassGlass** · 05-06-2015, 06:56 AM

It actually takes some degree of competence to recognize one's own incompetence. When that's not there, slapping the shit out of someone works wonders at driving a point home.

**Jxbey** · 05-06-2015, 07:00 AM

"i dont think this is necessary but im on the left" hahaha proof in the pudding i do like his shapping on the top right but the colors are just so not on point gotta love a thick skull

**PyroChixRock** · 05-06-2015, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by paulsafo

Misha's free advice thread said something like "if you understand that you can learn from anyone, you will."

Anyone includes people with less torch time with you.

thanks for letting me vent. Tried to keep it limited to my progression thread. Sorry for gunking up the activity stream haha

Yes, very true. I learn things from the "noobs" all the time. Fresh approach, fresh eyes, no old habits. It doesn't matter to me how long you've been on the torch, if you're willing to share ideas with me I'm sure you have something I haven't thought of that I can learn from.

It's too bad your first teacher doesn't see it that way, but glad you do. You will go many, many miles farther. And faster. But I think you've already proven that.

**paulsafo** · 05-07-2015, 05:41 AM

Ok. I've calmed down now. I think.

Making a rainbow something or another for Aymie. Glass has turned into therapy instead of a constant struggle. What does this mean?

**istandalone24/7** · 05-07-2015, 06:27 AM

He's been flame working for 3 years with a short break last year. He will not accept any of my advice because he has thousands of hours on me

we ALL learn from each other. i've heard old heads say that even talking/melting with newer guys, they learn stuff. be a sponge...soak up all that you can.

**dustyg** · 05-07-2015, 06:53 AM

The more I know, the more I can learn from anyone. It takes a certain knowledge base to see something and realize its significance - knowledge doesn't fill the sponge, it grows it.

**Montoya** · 05-07-2015, 07:21 AM

Your progression is amazing and inspiring to me.
Thanks.

**paulsafo** · 05-07-2015, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Montoya

Your progression is amazing and inspiring to me.
Thanks.

Thank you

**Glasshopper** · 05-07-2015, 10:54 AM

Tell him you can see much farther than on your own if you stand on the shoulders of giants.

**paulsafo** · 05-07-2015, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by Glasshopper

Tell him you can see much farther than on your own if you stand on the shoulders of giants.

There is no telling this man anything. Everything I've told him thus far comes back 3 weeks later as a tech he "invented" lol. Did you know he came up with encasing crayolas in clear? Wtg man. Peaaaaace.

**istandalone24/7** · 05-07-2015, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by dustyg

The more I know, the more I can learn from anyone. It takes a certain knowledge base to see something and realize its significance - knowledge doesn't fill the sponge, it grows it.

"the mind is not an urn to be filled, but a fire to be lit" i can't recall who's quote that is, but it was on the wall of my favorite HS science teacher (Mr VanOrden).

**paulsafo** · 05-07-2015, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by istandalone24/7

"the mind is not an urn to be filled, but a fire to be lit" i can't recall who's quote that is, but it was on the wall of my favorite HS science teacher (Mr VanOrden).

"Do you have any Oxycontin?" Was my most memorable HS teacher's quote. (Nonamingnames)

I learned a lot in high school. Very little of it was planned curriculum haaaahaha

**James M** · 05-07-2015, 01:34 PM

Haha, good ole highschool.

You asked about exp green a few posts back over white. I have had good success, at least in inside out work. Getting the lighter greens and blues to come out by striking the color in the flame a few times after your done working. This usually happens by reshaping a section, ie for the bowl or carb, or by adding decorations. I have also been able to strike them by getting a good heat base down to the color, where it glows orange again, then letting it cool back to a normal non-glowing color, repeat if necessary.

Your flowers are killing it!!