Craft Works - Let's Get Creative!

[derivative666]

I made this 2 weeks ago in Vermont

[jdl1279]

Nice work. How long of a process is something like that? I know a good one gets costly

[sabergirl]

That's sick, d666!

I can't speak with complete authority, but I helped a glassblower friend build a new furnace one winter in exchange for some lessons.  Blowing glass is a really immediate art.  If you're really confident, and sure of what result you want, to blow and shape the main body of a bong like that could happen in less than an hour–start to finish. I've seen dudes lampwork bowls in like, fifteen minutes.  The part of the process that takes a long time is annealing, which is letting your finished pieces cool slowly in a really hot oven that slowly reduces temperature, so that the piece won't crack or explode from cooling too quickly.  I think 24 hours minimum to anneal blown glass.

Again, fine work d666.

[Megatron1505]

Nice, what does it do? 

[urbanwoodsman]

@Megatron1505:

Nice, what does it do? 

Looks like a vase with a hole in the bottom so you can make sure there's water for your flowers.

[Megatron1505]

Jeff's an inventor too  :o How exciting 

[derivative666]

Blowing glass was much fun. The lesson was $200 I made a "special" vase, Laura made a wavy bowl and Jake made a paper weight. Next time we go back I will take the 2 hour class for $300. The bong took roughly 20 min to make excluding the heat treating which took 24 hours.

www.manchesterhotglass.com Andrew is the owner highly recommend going if you are in the Manchester, VT area.

[Megatron1505]

The 3 hour class is 2 hours long, dude I smell a rat 

[derivative666]

^Haha dick head, good catch on my typo

[twin]

Nice vase by Laura. Have you guys been to Wheatton Village glass in Millville NJ.?

[derivative666]

Need to check it out

[seawolf]

That's amazing Jeff. I've always wanted to learn how to blow glass and learn blacksmithing. Maybe when I retire I'll build a forge. Can't wait to see what you make in your next class!

[jdl1279]

I had a friend in Florida that did a fair bit of blacksmith work, he even built his own kiln. He told me that forging pieces was often the more enjoyable and easier part. Of course most of his work went on horses feet or were part of a larger project.

I'd be interested in seeing what you could accomplish with it Zach. Your gear with hand forged buckles, buttons, conchos, etc? I want to see that

[Snowy]

@seawolf:

That's amazing Jeff. I've always wanted to learn how to blow glass and learn blacksmithing. Maybe when I retire I'll build a forge. Can't wait to see what you make in your next class!

Jeff's going into business selling 'special' vases, didn't you hear?

[jdl1279]

I had this old pair of moccs that the camp sole fell apart on. I looked for suitable replacements but in the end decided on something "high mileage". I boosted a old Hoosier racing tire from my neighbor and crudely fashioned a workable replacement. Their actually more comfortable now

[sabergirl]

Looks great!  What'd you cut the tire with?

[seawolf]

I'll be honest….. I just searched online for shoe lasts.... That's the last hobby I need right now.

[jdl1279]

I cut it to shape with sheet metal shears, channeled the sole with a knife.

I've thought about it a few times Zach. The problem is having no one local to learn from and it's too expensive to experiment too much with on your own, at least for me.

[4c]

^ Nice jdl1279!
So awesome…

[jdl1279]

The stuff I can come up with I just hated to pitch a perfectly good upper and the materials were there….