Glassblowing 101

It's not very often I get to do something truly for myself. Jeremy does often watch the kids while I get out shopping, etc. But that's not really a recreation for me. I'm more of an intentional shopper -- always have in mind what I need (and struggle to veer toward what I may want). It is rare that I shop for fun -- usually the "fun" part is people watching and enjoying a cup of coffee (unless I stumble upon an insane sale and find what I "need" on clearance...).

Anyway ALL that to tell you about my Glassblowing class I took last week. It was only a one day sort of deal, but was SO much fun!! I would love - one day - to take the 6 week class and just have the experience! (but it is pricey ... need-vs-want)

Because Tacoma, WA is known for the glass blowing, there are a few glassblowing studios! This is pretty uncommon from what I've experienced in other cities. I've always liked glass as an art medium, and have been intrigued by the whole process. Now, I will be the first to admit, this may not be the ideal medium of art for me. Glass is, in itself, dangerous (especially with kids...) - both in the "shard" and molten forms, and it's fragile. Those of you who know Jeremy and me, know that "fragile" just doesn't cut it with us. We are inherently hard on things --- and will break anything that can't take good hit. Clumsy --- that's us.

That, however, doesn't dampen the fun I have in these environments. I love being around creative people. It triggers something in my brain and gets me thinking of all the possibilities both in that area - and outside in my own life. It's a good feeling!

So, when I saw that the local Park District was having this one day workshop - I HAD to try it out. It was to make a glass pumpkin ... pretty simple in itself. But so cool to learn the process!! There were quite a few people at the studio for the class -- including a group of old(er) ladies (in their 50/60's) who take these classes for fun "girl time", and a 14-year old's birthday party.

We worked with 3 of the studio's artists to pick out colors and walk through the process. We started out is the giant metal rods. From there, you dip in into the kiln - full of pure, clear molten glass. Once you get that, you (carefully) squish it into the containers of colored glass. You then stick it into the furnace (turning all the while, so it doesn't fall off the rod), so the colored glass will melt into the clear. We repeated this until we had the colors on it we needed/wanted. Once we had the colors on the glass and mixed in as desired, we stuck it back in the furnace/kiln to get really hot. Taking it out, we rolled the rod across a bench-like stand and slowly blew into the rod. This inflated the glass. We repeated this until we were satisfied. At that point, the glass -- brittle, but still thousands of degrees hot - was broken off the rod and placed into a kiln so it would slowly cool off (and not break!). I will pick up my finished - and cooled - pumpkin this week (and will add the picture!!).

It was a ton of fun -- and really cool to watch others do it, too! I'm looking forward to doing it again. (and maybe again, and again!)

(The picture above is my pumpkin - hot ... the colors will be different when it cools)

(The pictures BELOW .... are the finished product!)