Some of you know I've been learning glass blowing for the past 2+ years. The reason I wanted to learn how to work with glass is so I could make the glass stands I use for my carved leaf pieces. I had designed and commissioned these from a glassblower in the area back in the mid-2000s. However, he's no longer doing this and I was running out of stands. So, it was time for me to learn how to do this.

Fortunately, Ohio State University has a glass program and I was able to start taking classes two years ago - just as the pandemic was getting started. The closure of the university meant that my time in the hot shop came to a screeching halt, but I was able to borrow a small kiln. I started my exploration of kiln-formed glass then.

We were able to return to the hot shop in the fall of 2020, and my glassblowing adventure really started to take off. In the past several months my skill set has increased to the point where I am able to actually make (recognizable) things and to handle hot glass with confidence.

All that is background to what this photo is about. Last weekend I was able to sign up for one of our gaffer slots - that's where an experienced glass blower either makes something that's beyond your skill level that you need for a project, teaches you some techniques for homework assignments, or, in my case, assists in the making of something that needs two or more experienced glassblowers. The gaffer is the person sitting at the bench manipulating the glass, and directing the action. I was able to be the gaffer for the making of this stand - the first one I have made that I think is good enough to use. The previous week we did a run through of how the workflow would go - that stand is....interesting, but I don't think I'll use it.

I've been working on a new carved leaf piece, which is just about to enter the refinement and finishing phase. I've been carving it to fit this stand and I will be very excited to show it in the instant gallery at the AAW symposium this summer.