You may start to notice a theme this month, but I'm not going to tell you, because that would be cheating!
Once again, the dare came in on twitter.
Marble City Glassworks invited us over to try our hand at glass-blowing and glass art. Sounds like fun to me! Photographer JJ was all about it.
We headed over to the studio after being warned to wear cotton clothes and close-toed shoes. I really need to start doing homework before I go somewhere that I need to be flame retardent.
Matt and Chris greeted us and gave us the rundown of the place. It was a glorious day outside, then we walked into the studio. Wowza! It's a mite warm in there!
I spent some time looking at all the art, then Photographer JJ decided to make me get to work.
So, I'm not going to bore you with how it's done.. you might want to check out their classes on the website. I'm just here to say there is a lot of fire and I think I said "hot magma" about 20 times while dipping into the glass that is somewhere near 2200 degrees. No, that is not a typo, go ahead, google it yourself, I'll wait.
I have to say I think I burnt off any hair I might have had when he opened that vat of molten glass. Of course, I am sure there are correct terms for this, but bear with me and let's have some fun.
Oh, did I mention we are making a paperweight? Well, that's what Matt said, so that's what I'm going with (even though I have no idea what I'm doing!)
Once we get started, it is like a well choreagraphed dance to get from one spot to the other. The most important thing is to keep the glass moving and not to let it cool. I think by the time that I got to the bench I had already failed one of those lessons. Back to the fire!
Twirling, turning, twirling, turning.. it's fascinating to watch the glass remelt. I actually became a little mezmerized by the whole thing and almost forgot to turn. Back over to the bench.
After a few more dances around the studio, we have a paperweight. (Don't tell Photographer JJ that's what he is getting for Christmas, ok? I'm glad he doesn't read these things.)
Ok, now onto blowing glass. Here's a whole new concept for someone that doesn't really even like blowing up balloons.
It's the same sort of dance as before, until Matt tells me to do two things at once. Never really thought about it, but it is not as easy as it seems. First try, not so great. Next try and I am ready for the museum! Well, that's what it looks like now, let's see how far we get.
More turning..blowing..turning..blowing.. and whoa!!! Look, look, look!!!!!! Matt, Chris and I are all working on a bowl. Then the time I was afraid of arrives.
CRASH!!!!!
Down goes the bowl that was going to make me a glass artiste! I was going to leave this whole TV life behind. Right before my eyes and the camera, and Photographer JJ and Matt and Chri.. wait, what is he doing? CHRIS!! Fast thinker grabs the bowl and puts it back in the fire while I stare in amazement and despair. Chris is the hero of the day! We are back on track and no one is the wiser. Well, except the two people who read this.
So we made a paperweight and a bowl. I actually have no idea what they look like because as soon as they were done, they were taken to a special "cooling" rack and then I think they put them up on ebay. Chihuly will eat his heart out.. ok not really.
So no burns, no cuts, and no crying over broken glass seems like a good day.. and I even wore my new Darin' Erin shirt. Photographer Jake will be mad that I'm changing formats..
BIG thanks to Matt and Chris for having us and being patient. If you want to check them out this weekend they are having an Open Hot Shop!