How Do I Begin?
Every craft requires a degree of commitment – in time, space, and money. Glass calls for a bit more than some of the others, and you should be prepared to jump headlong into it.

Gene Koss demonstrating glass casting at Penland School of Crafts, 1995, Courtesy of Penland School of Crafts

The first – and best – thing you should do, is find a place to take classes. This won’t be a one-day immersion. There’s a lot to learn, and you should make sure you’re comfortable with the skills set required. Schools, Y’s, and private facilities are often available. Also, glassworkers in your area may give private or group sessions. To find facilities near you, check the yellow pages, or for a truly comprehensive source for everything glass, go to glassart.org, the web site for the Glass Art Society. Navigate the site, and you’ll find a wealth of helpful links. Become a member, and you get a directory that’ll lead you to anything you need, plus other useful benefits.

There are books, as well, but because this is not a craft that lends itself to self-education (stained glass is the exception), use them to decide which glass art most appeals to you. Magazines, as always, can keep you current with new trends and artists, as can a visit to craft galleries in your communities, or museums that may be having a glass exhibition.

Once you’ve made the commitment, there are several online sources for glass, tools, and other supplies. Check out bullseye-glass.com for all that, plus tips on perfecting your skills. They also list suppliers and resources in communities throughout America. Other web sites include spiralarts.com, waleapparatus.com, glassblowing.com, and olympiccolorrod.com. And don’t forget eBay as a potential source for good deals on stuff, particularly expensive equipment like kilns.

It may sound like a lot, but it’s well worth the effort when you consider the brilliant work that can come from your own hands.

Ken Peterson, Vase, Courtesy of the artist

PAGE 1 : 2 : 3 : 4