How many lamp workers are there in the US?

**Mr. Larry** · 10-08-2015, 06:16 AM

Good point. That's a funny irony. Telling people to use proper grammar while using improper grammar. Jabroni move, ha.

**shawnette** · 10-08-2015, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by discretionglass

I am 100% right about Louisiana and Mississippi, and farely sure about the other two. I sell to 90% of the shops in these 2 states (just production handpipes, nothing special to brag about) and I have gotten to know my shop owners. Shop owners are going to tell you about other glass artists for the most part, that is how I met the ones I know about. I have traveled and learned from the other artists. I only actually know of half the number I stated, so that left room for double the artists that I actually know of. Also, I counted every aspiring artist. I know 4 off the top of my head that have better skills than me. It does not matter if you agree or not. There are other misquoted numbers in this threas as well. There has gotta be over a thousand in the Asheville area. Meh, whatever dude, maybe this is a glass blowing Mecca on the gulf coast, and I am just not meeting them.

So, by your reasoning, then I wouldn't exist if I were in Louisiana or Mississippi. I make my own oxygen and don't interact with "shops", so they would have no way of knowing about me or at lease 20 other artists that I know.

Not all lampwork artists make pipes. Not all soft glass lampwork artists make beads.

For what it's worth, there are a shit-ton of lampworkers in Florida. Like roaches. For every 1 or 2 that you know of, there are probably 10 that you don't. There are at least 10 within 5 miles of my house. Probably more.

**Nomad** · 10-08-2015, 08:56 AM

Less pipe makers then 10 years ago.

**OceanMelt** · 10-08-2015, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by Nomad

Less pipe makers then 10 years ago.

You think? My guess....based on purely limited observation/knowledge....is that there is more than ever, specifically based on the pipe making schools popping up and spread of knowledge. Granted, a portion are newbs and many might give up in years to come. But assuming that all the OGs are still working, then I would guess more now.

**Nomad** · 10-08-2015, 10:00 AM

Not around here. I used to know of at least 4 in the area. Now just me.

**Nomad** · 10-08-2015, 10:01 AM

Maybe I should get a job at a glass school? That would be cool. But there is nothing around here like that.

**Speedingpullet** · 10-08-2015, 11:26 AM

Maybe an enquiry to the ISGB might help?

http://www.isgb.org

**STROKER** · 10-08-2015, 11:49 AM

That's crazy talk nomad
The number of pipers has gone through the roof and if you look at all the new lathes being sold everywhere you have to wonder how many there are.
I also don't sell to local shops nor do I telly o2 man what I do so

..

**Nomad** · 10-08-2015, 11:53 AM

Maybe in other countries. But not locally is all I am saying.

**Nomad** · 10-08-2015, 11:54 AM

O2 man thinks I only make jewelry and ornaments.

**bowlpusher** · 10-09-2015, 11:10 AM

My guess would be based on who turns up for The Michigan Glass Project. I would go so far to say that there is easily 600-1000 lampworkers in Michigan. We try our hardest to do a head count and get everyone involved, but no matter how hard we try another dozen or new ones shake out of the trees. It always amazes me when a glass blower we haven't met comes out of the shadows and tells us that they have never heard of the project or the shop. I start to think that they live under a rock or don't use the internet and then back it up and realize that not everyone is as curious as we are. Thanks for all the input. I reckoned that there weren't many in the south, but in the west coast states there has to be a ton. Doug Z and I used to joke about being glassblower #1,000 and #1,001 in Eugene in 1997. It has had to have blown up since then.

**labrie** · 10-09-2015, 11:44 AM

Someone once told me that the I 5 corridor in WA state had more glassblowers per capita then anywhere else in the world. Not so much any more, but the drop in glassblowers has been more than made up by lampworkers. Based on my own empirical data and scientific observation along with a statistically infallible consensus by other lampwokers there are around 350 million current or wana be lampworkers in the US. with a margin of error +or- 99.9%

**bowlpusher** · 10-09-2015, 12:02 PM

^^ Excellent imperial data. I forgot to include the "wana be lampworkers" into my calculations. I was hoping that this thread would spin out of control with willy nilly assumptions and ambiguous observations until some hard data came into play, but clearly there must be 350 million +/- glass peeps in the US. This is my favorite small talk question at trade shows.

**Swim** · 10-09-2015, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by JayBoogie

I only know of 3 other people in Louisiana that still do boro work, 3 people in New Orleans that do scientific work (there's probably more I just know about these guys because they were regulars at a buddy of mines restaurant there) and 2 soft glass workers, one of which is now retired. I'm sure there are more people I haven't found out about yet down here but I have been trying to find artist for a few years now. There was also some chick who started to blow glass in my town a few years ago but gave up really quick. I'm going to check out her equipment later today and see if I can buy anything. I have spoken with a stained glass artist who knows a ton of other glass artist in the state, and she had only heard of one hot glass worker and that's the chick who gave up. So I think the numbers about Louisiana and pretty close. I can't see there being for than 15 lamp workers here in LA

if she has a kiln with a good sized punty door, let me know. I am sure you wont need it since you got that dope ass glasshive

**Swim** · 10-09-2015, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by shawnette

So, by your reasoning, then I wouldn't exist if I were in Louisiana or Mississippi. I make my own oxygen and don't interact with "shops", so they would have no way of knowing about me or at lease 20 other artists that I know.

Not all lampwork artists make pipes. Not all soft glass lampwork artists make beads.

For what it's worth, there are a shit-ton of lampworkers in Florida. Like roaches. For every 1 or 2 that you know of, there are probably 10 that you don't. There are at least 10 within 5 miles of my house. Probably more.

I left room for more. As the other dude from Louisiana said. It would be hard to imagine if there were more than 15 in Louisiana, that leaves room for ten people we dont know about. Come to the region for a few months and tell me I am wrong. Honestly, I am glad thats the case. I never have to drive more than two hours in any direction to sell glass. The people just are not there. When people get involved in glass in an area like this, they are usually active on the internet and social media as well, because there are no mentors. We have to learn everything from the internet. Its something stupid to argue about. there is no way to know, but I am sure that I am not far off.

**Swim** · 10-09-2015, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by shawnette

So, by your reasoning, then I wouldn't exist if I were in Louisiana or Mississippi. I make my own oxygen and don't interact with "shops", so they would have no way of knowing about me or at lease 20 other artists that I know.

Not all lampwork artists make pipes. Not all soft glass lampwork artists make beads.

For what it's worth, there are a shit-ton of lampworkers in Florida. Like roaches. For every 1 or 2 that you know of, there are probably 10 that you don't. There are at least 10 within 5 miles of my house. Probably more.

florida is waaaaaaay different man. Also you realize, its a known glass blowing area. It does not compare. No one knows what the fuck an oxycon is here. LOL. I make my own oxy, and someone gave me the shit for free, and I can get another homefill and con setup for 150$ down the street. Where are all the lampworkers to fight me for it?? seriously, your view is skewed because your in florida. Other than the legal states and Asheville, you would have to be next in line for more glass blowers per capita than anywhere else in the US. Maybe Austin has more?? I dunno. Its really not like that many places. You are in a saturated area.

**VinE** · 10-14-2015, 08:03 AM

20k was the estimate I always heard thrown around. Eyeglass manufacturers or oxygen sales statiztics would be a good way to guage , if someone wanted to do a serious estimate.

**Swim** · 10-14-2015, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by VinE

20k was the estimate I always heard thrown around. Eyeglass manufacturers or oxygen sales statiztics would be a good way to guage , if someone wanted to do a serious estimate.

that make no sense. My oxy supplier fills ten or fifteen dwars a day for box car scrappers. Glass blowers mean zilch to airgas, and there is no way to calculate lampworkers by oxy sales.