Lampworking South Texas Style!

And what, pray tell, is that exactly?  Ha!  Let me tell you...  (chuckles)  Step into my studio!

You don't have to be afraid...  well, not too afraid...  My studio really is pretty normal.  One wall is taken up entirely of glass frits and rods - it's like playing in a rainbow.  Directly in front of the door you'll find books, tools, bead release, more frit (MORE frit?), goggles and a hat to try to keep me from setting my hair on fire again (don't ask - it really smelled bad).  On your left is a long low bench covered in ceramic tile with two torches and a kiln.  My OxyCon (a wonderful little machine that replaces tanked oxygen) sits under the bench and pulls out when I'm working.

Now, Texas lampworkers that work in some sort of mostly outdoor setting probably work in short sleeves or tank tops.  Me, I work in a tank top, cut-offs, and either flip-flops or bare feet.  Yes, I am fully aware that there is glass lying around, some hot, some even sharp.  One of the people that I work for calls me "stupid girl" from time to time because my common sense tends to take a hiatus periodically...  well - you try working with fire in a small space when it's 107 degrees outside.  Your brain will bake as well! (grins)

Usually about the time you have a bead nicely formed on your mandrel one or both of two things will happen:  either that annoying bead of sweat that has been tickling your brow will start to slowly slide down your face, lingering just at your eye or nose causing a super-maddening itch that steals nearly all of your concentration, or you will begin to get fly-bys from the local red hornet's nest.

The red hornets, wasps and bees down here are really a problem and build nests in everything.  I usually work with a can of hornet killer within easy reach, and have discovered that hornets can make up to two passes through your torch and still live.  (grumbles)  They will also wait until you absolutely cannot move before they land on your hand, face or lap.  I've gotten pretty good at trying to ignore them but I've still gotten stung.

The other fun south Texas lampworking challenge is the brown scorpion.  There is absolutely nothing like reaching behind you for a rod of glass, pulling it out, over your head and to your torch only to find a little brown, extremely pissed off passenger attached to it.  That's about the time that they jump off - on you, your lap, your workspace...  OhMyGodWhereTheHeckDidItGoIHaveToFindItOhS---OhS---OhS---!

Other than that, it's a breeze - just practice, practice practice - time, repetition, and blood, sweat & tears!  (And the real world just doesn't understand why artisan handmade lampwork beads cost more than mass produced ones... They should take a tour of my studio.)  (evil chuckle)