Glass Blowing Help

[gutter-pup]

I make hemp jewelry and I'm looking to get into glass blowing, however, I'm also poor, so that has limited my attempts as of yet to find any equipment or knowledge.

If anyone out there knows of some cheap equipment or can offer some advice to get me going in the right direction, I'd REALLY appreciate it.

Peace,
Kalan
AOL IM (if I'm around a computer long enough): this is kalan
http://gutter-pup-hemp.tripod.com

[CowboyHippy]

i dabble in blacksmithing and from what i have been told the glass blowing forge is quite similar to a steel forge, but nowadays the glassblowers stick to gas forges so as to avoid impurities getting in the glass. I built my small forge for about 100 bucks, but the tools to startup is what cost the most (buy some basics, then use those to forge the rest, isnt that wierd?) winter is the best time to build, tsc stocks firebricks in the winter, not sure if they are everywhere though. as for the tools i can't help much, other than i've seen them use tongs, big scissors and metal pipes. They do advise learning from someone first hand though....is there a renaissance festival in your area, there are a couple glassblowers at the one in michigan. might be a place to start.

[10burntfingers]

I think that what you’re interested in is “lampworking” which is the use of a torch to manipulate glass. Using this you can make pendants, jars, cups, pipes etc. Check out these sites to point you in the right direction.

www.thegldg.com
http://www.glassartists.org/

Amazon.com
More Than You Ever Wanted To Know About Glass Beadmaking by James Kervin
Making Glass Beads by Cindy Jenkins
Contemporary Lampworking: A Practical Guide to Shaping Glass in the Flame
By Bandhu Scott Dunham

If you are interested in “glassblowing” i.e. (big furnace, steel blowtubes etc.) and you want to make large vases, plates, bowls etc. Then my suggestion is to look for a glassblower in your area or check out university art programs. You can also get a taste by looking on Amazon.com for the following book

Beginning Glassblowing by Edward T. Schmid
A Glassblower's Companion: A Compilation of Studio Equipment Designs, Essays, & Glassblowing Ideas by Dudley F. Giberson,

Peace and Respect

[gutter-pup]

Thanks for your help. Someone I know knows a person who makes pipes, and I think he has a table top-like setup. I'm not sure though, like I said, just getting started.

[toman]

Best thing to do is get a grunt job in a bigger glass shop, and take some classes at your local community college. Then after a while you can probably get into some sort of apprentice position. Don't expect to make money.

[gutter-pup]

I'm not wanting to make money, I'm wanting to make my own glass beads for my hemp stuff. I can't afford to buy it from someone and I don't know anyone who'd trade some stuff with me, so I figured my last resort would be to make it myself.