Buildings

Still unsure as to what the future holds. I have been looking around at buildings. There are a few nice spots around. I can see how glass studios struggle to make it. Thinking about the working capital it takes to keep the studio running is high. Thinking about adding to that the cost of a morgage and insurance and what not almost makes the venture cost prohibitive. You really do have to find a cheap old building and renovate. Backers and investors would be great but why would anyone invest in such an venture. Something will happen. Something will change, of this we can be sure.
Keep it centered good people.

Working

Well, I had a nice post going and lost the whole browser.
We will be in the studio on Monday morning and maybe that evening. Tuesday morning we have a tour group coming to watch us work. That should be a hoot.
Trying to figure out the future. I am not sure where I will end up landing. We are looking for some property to move the studio too in case Angela requests we leave. I would like to stay out here on the land but I do not know if that is possible or what will happen. I need some investors if we are to get a building and land and a place to grow with dreams. Everything is so expensive. Something will certainly come along. I did find a neat place in Guthrie but it may be a bit small.
We are making some cool stuff in the meantime. Roy is making some kicken' cowboy hats, I am making small bowls and hanging vases. Brent is out in Portland working with Steve Stadelman on furnaces.
Almost lost this post again so I hitting publish.
Keep it centered.

Summer Schedule

I am in the process of trying to come up with a summer schedule. I can be in the studio just about any time. If you are interested in a particular day or time just let me know and I can adjust around what you are needing. Remember that early mornings and evenings are cooler. I will be posting this to a public Google Calendar for ease of use for everyone as well.
Keep it centered.

New Optic Mold

I got a new optic mold at the conference. Chris at Bella Forte got the same one. Good fortune. It is a really nice mold. I made some drinking glasses this evening using it. I will post up some photos in the next couple of days to let you all see it.
Keep it centered.

GAS in St. Louis

We were at the G.A.S. in St. Louis this past few days. It was great. There was a lot to see and do in the city. The glass demos were top notch. The set up was great. Fearful of having everything in one place it worked out really well. The lectures were good and having them in the afternoon helped more to attend everything. The technicqual area was wonderous and everyone had great tools and eqipment to show.
It was a pleasure to met folks from the past. Put faces to those never met. And to sit and chat with new friends. Many thanks to all of those who watched out for me this weekend and those too who were kind enough to tolerate my company.
Looking forward to the future.
Keep it centered.

St. Louis

Later on down the river. Here she comes boys, here she comes.
Going to the GAS in St. Louis. It should be a hoot. Looking forward to seeing some good folks. Remembered today I need to talk with Dudley Giberson about coils for an annealehr. That is perhaps the best thing about the conference. That and standing next to some of the best glass artists on the planet. Maybe some Mojo will rub off. Many thanks to Chris and Micah of Bella Forte Glass and letting me ride with them and crash on their floor.
Hope to see you all there!
Keep it Centered.

Changes

Well, changes are coming. Not sure what they will be as of yet but something is going to happen one way or another. I am in the beginnings of the middle of the end. It is going to cause a change. I hope it comes out well and that everything will work out as it should and I know that it will it is just the process of the change that is difficult. I don't really have to worry but...
Planning on heading to St. Louis for the GAS conference on Wednesday. It should be a great one. I am looking forward to watching the creation of great glass works and hanging out and just relaxing for a bit. Cool tools to be seen and neat stuff to play with. I always look forward to seeing people who make it all happen.
I will keep you all up to date on the happenings on the home front and at Blue Sage Studios. I have been lax in getting postings up but between shows, and work, and sleeping in the RV things are different.
Peace,
Keep it Centered.
Andy

Final Three Flower Paperweight

Here is the final product. Colors are Blue Amethist size 0, Gray size 0, Jade Green size 2.  

Cool and knock off

Let it cool. Sometimes bring it strait up and let the glass settle back onto the pipe. This helps flatten to bottom for good grinding.  

Heat and Block

Heat and block again. Jack in between. don't heat enough to lose the egg shape if possible. You can always block again tho. Jack.
Start with the round jacks. They really leave a softer line for the shoulder of the base on the Paperweight.  

Block

After the next gather comes the blocking. We have a great egg shape from Walter Evans. I think this is the 3.5 inch block. You may want to marver just a bit before the block just to cool the sides and have a bit more control. The egg will tend to make the glass fold back onto itself more then a round one, at least for me.  

Gather, Marver, Gather

Do the gather over the flower. Marver into a cone and then into almost a tube. Watch the size here. Let glass drip off so as to not be too large.
Roy has got the door in this picture.  

Heat and Marver

Just a bit. You don't want to close up the indention from the stem making but you have to get the shape back into it alright.  

Another angle

Here you can see the movement into the pipe better. This helps to create the stem of the flower which will be white while leaving the outside petals in blue.
I did this one in a transparent. Not sure if opaque is better or not.  

Poke the petals

Here wer are poking in the petals. Aim right for the middle of the flower (the white center). Push forward in and then curve into pipe. 

Flower Pickup

marver after the gather into a cone shape to cool the pipe end of the glass. Not too cool or the color will not pick up. Come down on the circles, 1, 2, and 3.
Then Heat gently. Marver, heat and marver to maintain control and no twist.  

Gather

At the furnace. Making a gather over the leaves.
More to come tomorrow as it is late...
Oh yes. Center, Keep it Centered. 

Leaves of Grass

Not as good as Whitman but what the heck.  

Leaf

Pinching the leaves. Notice the tool. $2.95 at Steve's Wholesale. In the glassblowing world however these puppies are going for $54.95. I will have a bunch for sale at GAS. Get in line. 

Green Leaf Pickup

Picking up the leaves