How many lamp workers are there in the US?

**Dan Kooper** · 10-16-2015, 12:33 PM

Too many?

**VinE** · 10-16-2015, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by discretionglass

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.

Your assumption that i meant the volume of all their sales is off base. I guess i need to simplify/ clarify what I meant. There used to be a special account that airgas had for all glassworkers called "glassblowers unlt." They might or might not be keeping track of glass related gas sales..I mentioned glasses too for a reason. If someone wanted to do a REAL estimate based on empirical data they should look to items that are universally used as a sort of gauge. Most people work off tanks, have glasses, a torch etc. If you were a statititian looking at the volume of sales of materials might be a good starting point for getting some data. If you want to nitpick the numbers add a +- with a chance of error at the end.

**VinE** · 10-16-2015, 02:57 PM

Way to many.^^lol.

**PyroChixRock** · 10-17-2015, 09:02 AM

I think we need to ask the color manufacturers, since all glassblowers are going to be buying color. But, since they use distributors a lot, they won't have a real number, either. Abe's guess of 50k is probably the most informed one so far.

**Jim OShea** · 10-17-2015, 09:32 AM

i didn't know you have to buy color to be a glassblower

**PyroChixRock** · 10-17-2015, 09:36 AM

You don't have to lol. Do you know anyone who doesn't? I guess all the kids who are amazing at fume might not.

**VinE** · 10-17-2015, 01:29 PM

Yea misha,
I'll bet he throws that 50k figure around when he's making the pitch for a new loan at the bank.lol

**unfunraygun** · 10-18-2015, 11:36 AM

I have met every glassblower in the U.S. and Canada (including all territories and provinces) and there exists in my extensive studies between 182 and 240 glassblowers in North America. My studies however cannot pinpoint the exact number due to the elusive nature of the Pacific Northwest glassblowers (not unlike the similar and equally elusive Pac North Skunk Ape). I hope this information is found by you to be helpful.

**PyroChixRock** · 10-18-2015, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by unfunraygun

I have met every glassblower in the U.S. and Canada (including all territories and provinces) and there exists in my extensive studies between 182 and 240 glassblowers in North America. My studies however cannot pinpoint the exact number due to the elusive nature of the Pacific Northwest glassblowers (not unlike the similar and equally elusive Pac North Skunk Ape). I hope this information is found by you to be helpful.

Sounds about right to me.

**unfunraygun** · 10-18-2015, 11:38 AM

I forgot to include VinE in my calculations. Ther are now between 183 and 241 glassblowers in North America.

**hashmasta-kut** · 10-18-2015, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by unfunraygun

I have met every glassblower in the U.S. and Canada (including all territories and provinces) and there exists in my extensive studies between 182 and 240 glassblowers in North America. My studies however cannot pinpoint the exact number due to the elusive nature of the Pacific Northwest glassblowers (not unlike the similar and equally elusive Pac North Skunk Ape). I hope this information is found by you to be helpful.

I swear we never met! (Sacre bleu). But I do have PNW in me.

**hashmasta-kut** · 10-18-2015, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by PyroChixRock

You don't have to lol. Do you know anyone who doesn't? I guess all the kids who are amazing at fume might not.

Jim doesn't buy color

**hashmasta-kut** · 10-18-2015, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by discretionglass

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.

there must be a better way, with internet technology, at least we should be able to get statewide numbers on most glassblowers who go online regularly somehow..