Here we blow again…
After a four month hiatus from the hot shop, I’m back for Hot II. That’s right, I’m moving on up to the intermediate level glassblowing – ready (and willing) to build on what I’ve already learned. Take that!
Our teacher, Everett, spent just a few minutes discussing the course schedule, rules, expectations, etc. As we move through the next eight weeks, we’ll be practicing bubbles, cups and simple forms before moving on to more complex shapes and adding color. Our first class was mostly reminder demos and practicing all our old tricks. We worked on gathering glass, making bits, starting air bubbles, and finally, making glass bubbles (or spheres).
Working in pairs, we went through the familiar steps of gathering, marvering, blowing bubbles, gathering again, blocking, reheating, more blowing and finally using our jacks to add jack lines and shape our little, lopsided globes. My partner and I each made two glass bubbles before Everett did a final demo on cups, to prepare us for next week.
In the interest of full disclosure, I was a bit nervous that I’d forget everything we learned in Hot I and need to start from scratch. You know that old nightmare where you step up to the furnace only to realize you’re holding your punty backwards, then you figure it out but you’re not sure if you should marver or block first, then your glass is too cold to blow a bubble in…
No? Never had that one? Yeah, me neither.
Well, I didn’t magically transform into a glass god overnight, but I managed to pull some of those skills back out of my memory and put them to use. Now that I’ve dusted them off, it’s time to polish those techniques. Pipes, puntys, bubbles, jacks and furnaces, watch out…I’m coming after you.
