Hot Glass Bits #17

Contact Mike Firth

February 1994

This issue contains deadline information

3/31/94 for The American Interfaith Institute in MAGAZINES

ASAP for Texas Tech SUMMER CLASSES

2/11/94 Early Registration March 17-20 G.A.S.CONFERENCE

3/1/94 Grant Application Deadline DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART

Hot Glass Bits is a personal chronological record of my wanderings through glassblowing and the bits and pieces of knowledge I gather along the way. It includes things I try, thoughts I have, information I receive, and reports on things I do. In many ways it is an edited diary and events calendar about glassblowing. If it is useful to others, it is worth the effort.

WHOAMI? - Since some people who get this have no idea who I am: Mike Firth is a 51 year old, low experience glassblower who signed up for his first class in '91 without having seen anyone blow, although he seen TV shows and has done stained glass and worked clear tubing in the past. He has built cheap equipment in his back yard to learn and practice. When not blowing he is a self-employed computer programmer and teaches about computers.

To mention the legal stuff: Working glass is inherently dangerous, involving heavy materials that can be razor sharp, so hot that damage can be done before feeling occurs, with chemicals immediately poisonous, dusts that can damage the lungs, and heat sources that can wreck the eyes. Understand the safe practices required and use them to blow beautiful glass.

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MAGAZINES - GLASS Magazine #53 ad: Second International Competition for Glass Artists "Artist's Visions for the Children of the Future, art of fear, art of hope." The American Interfaith Institute [401 N.Broad St. Philadelphia PA 19108, Attn:I.J.Borowsky] Submit slides and a form by March 31 '94, no entry fee. 10/25/93

SUMMER CLASSES - Glassblowing at Junction Texas as part of the Texas Tech Graduate Art Classes summer program will be June 5-24 for Advanced Hot Glass with Bill Bagley (two week minimum registration) and July 17-29 for Beginning-Intermediate Hot Glass with Bob Mosier followed by Advanced Problems July 31-August 5. Cost for two weeks of glassblowing is about $125+190+50 ($365 tuition+room&board+fee) for Texas residents, $272 more for non-residents. For brochure contact Betty Street, Dept.of Art, Box 42081, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX 79409-2081 806-742-3027 FAX:806-742-3878. The Junction site is a 411 acre former ranch in the Hill Country on I-10 straight west of Austin. These graduate art classes are primarily for secondary art teachers and include fourteen other topics. 11/23/93

HOT SPOT I - While I was visiting Art Allison, he used a Craftsman propane torch that I instantly liked. When I got a gift certificate after helping someone with woodwork, I went right out and bought one. Sears Craftsman Propane Torch-Pistol Kit (254269) is a pistol shaped trigger start torch that comes with a tank and 4 foot hose with a valve and tank adapter. It costs $39.99. It makes a very hot flame (I did a silver solder repair of a chair the night I got it) and because the tank isn't moved, the flame does not vary the way a tank mounted torch will as it is#12; tipped. The trigger can be locked. When the trigger is pulled, the flame usually starts instantly from the piezo electric start. Art uses it for fine heating on his color effects and reheating local areas. The flame is about 1/2" diameter. Adapters are available to use small tank devices like this on large tanks. 12/1/93

MONA Gift Catalog - The Museum of Neon Art [704 Traction Ave., Los Angeles CA 90013-1814, 213-617-1580, FAX orders 213-620-8904] has sent a flier of gifts which include T-shirts with the neonized Mona Lisa logo; phones, clocks, lamps, license plate frames, and pins with neon tubing in them; LED jewelry; and books about neon. 12/2/93

Punty - Pontil - In past issues, I have used Pontil, Punty, and Puntle to refer to the solid end rods used for handling glass. Having been called to task, I find that the last one is wrong, wrong, wrong. Punty is the American term and is actually in my 1963 Webster's Collegiate. Pon' til is the French term and all the letters are pronounced with accent on the first syllable according to the Random House Unabridged. Half the makers of the things refer to punty and the other half to pontil. 12/2/93

PAPERWEIGHTS - Caithness [141 Lanza Ave., Bldg 12, Garfield NJ 07026, 201-340-3330 FAX:201-340-9415] is a Scottish company that makes limited and unlimited editions of paperweights (PW) and some additional glass. PWs come in a variety of sizes including miniature. Unlimited PW editions are priced $75-115. Limited editions of 50 or 100 are $695, of 350 are $350; and of 750 are $190-250. There is a Caithness Collectors Club costing $35 per year, members getting a free PW valued at $62.50, a millifiori lapel pin ($22) and the right to buy a unique PW not sold retail. Ask for 24 page '93 Paperweight Collection catalog and/or 10 pages Summer Collection '93 which includes candle sticks and bowls. 12/2/93

CHIHULY - Portland Press [Dept. D, P.O.Box 45010, Seattle WA 98143-0010 1-800-574-7272] sends a flier for four books on Dale Chihuly's art: Japan 1990 ($20), Form from Fire ($40), al la Macchia ($25) and Venetians ($50). Order all four, paying a lower price ($135) and get the English-Chinese Exhibition Catalog: Dale Chihuly: Glass, for free ($30 usually.) The flier includes some pictures and descriptions of each book. 12/3/93

MONEY - I would like to thank those people who send payments for these notes. It helps, both with the expenses and as a sign of encouragement. 12/3/93

HOT SPOT II - A common way of preheating punties and pipes is to put a hole in the side of the glory hole or furnace with rest for the tips and a stand or some kind of bar for the handles. Unfortunately, the heat source is far hotter than it needs to be for the job and probably increases corrosion on the pipes, especially if they are left resting in it. While a cold pipe/punty will fail to hold glass (which chills quickly inside), an end heats very quickly because of the same lack of heat flow that protects our hands and it doesn't have to be very hot. Some blowers warm the pipe briefly at the door. Some places I have visited have installed a small linear burner with flames about an inch tall for pre-heating. 12/6/93

HOT SPOT III - At Devas Glass, south of Ft.Worth, there is an interesting hot plate that might be even more interesting, belonging to Hugh Irwin. Built of miscellaneous pieces, it is a flat steel plate mounted on legs with an old looking gas hot plate/burner mounted underneath and a lift-off metal box above to hold the heat. On the plate is glass for pickup. To add to usefulness, it is near the handheld torch and serves as a quick lighter for the torch. Although not used as such at Divas, with addition of a pair of brackets, the flame could be a pipe heater, matching the flame height on custom pipe heaters I have seen at Bowling Green State U. and Fire Island. 12/6/93

2500# - Peet Robison and I, in flipping on CompuServe, often get responses from Karl P. Platt, Milton WV, who is clearly knowledgeable, but occasionally says things which surprise our common experience. One thread (sequence of messages) had to do with Karl referring to Spruce Pine Batch being very short (quick setting.) In talking about the chemicals he would add for a longer glass, a thread started on pot materials. He offhandedly said, "Presently, I'm melting dense colors in 2,500 Lbish covered clay pots. These typically last for 70-100 melts..." and later said "Especially in very small pots (<300 Lbs)" Peet replied that he couldn't get a 2500 pound pot in his shop. Milton WV is the home of Blenko Glass. 12/8/93

TAXES - If you earn any income from blowing glass, you have to declare the income. If you are in business, you do this on a Schedule C; if you are doing it as a hobby you report in the Other Income line on the front of the 1040 (line 22 in '92.) You can deduct expenses of earning the income, within limits. If you are in business, you do this on Schedule C. If you are a hobbyist, then you do it on Schedule A (line 20 in '92.) The catch about Sch.A is that you won't use it unless your total deductions are greater than the standard deduction ($3,600 Single, $6,000 Married in '92) and if you use it, you are only allowed to deduct the amount above 2% of your adjusted gross income. In order to have a business, you must make money. If you report losses in a business 3 out of 5 years, the IRS can decide it was a hobby and require that you refile, which is likely to result in more taxes, interest and penalties. If you are using a Sch.C, then you are forced to choose a kind of accounting. If you have inventory, then you must use Accrual Method. If you manage to have no leftovers, then you might use Cash. Cash is more convenient, since your record income when you get it and expenses when you pay for them. Under the accrual method, you record expenses when you incur them (by receiving supplies for example) and income when you bill for it (by shipping an order with a statement.) If the income does not arrive, you later take it as a bad debt owed you. The small business tax guide is Publication 334 from the IRS.

I got a phone call from a guy at Chihuly's studio complimenting me on Hot Glass Bits and promising an occasional note on activities there. 12/9/93

MAGAZINE - The December 93 issue of National Geographic has a cover article on Glass that features a number of pictures on art glass. NG is not sold in stores. I called [1-800-638-4077 at the bottom of the table of contents] and found that buying a single copy is only $2.65, shipping etc. included. 12/15/93

PROPANE - U-Haul has dropped the price on their 20# and 40# tanks, at least in Dallas. The standard 20# is now about $18.50 and the 40# at about $42.50, roughly 20% less than previously. The 20# price is still somewhat more than Home Depot. 12/15/93

GUILD - International Guild of Glass Artists, Inc. [Avery Anderson, Vice Chair, & Membership Committee, 4 Wesson Road, North Grafton MA 01536] "I'd be remiss, if I didn't also note, that there's a new organization that's just started up this past year.
"This is a nonprofit association of glass artists, that is working to facilitate and encourage communication among and between glass artists, about all sorts of things.
"This new Guild, is an effort to concentrate more on the "art" of the media, than of the "business and trade" of glass, and is open to folks working in any type of glass work, whether traditional flat glass, dimensional and architectural work, to hot glass, and mixed media artists. It's a new slant on the glass community, that you might consider interesting.
"And yes.. I do have an affiliation with this organization. I'm the current Chairman of the Board of Directors. But don't let that go to your head.. I don't. (grin) Peace -Gerry [17-Dec-93 06:06:31 Sb: #297751-SGAA address Fm: Gerry Phibbs/CA [Staff] 76556,624]"

PROPANE II - I am feeling just smug enough about the good results of a suggestion of mine that I will pass it on. I was talking with a glassblower who was complaining about the cost of propane, which was being delivered to two 250 gallon tanks at 80 cents a gallon. [I pay $1.50 a gallon at U-Haul.] I said I didn't know how the delivery services worked, whether there were territories, but knowing what others charged in the area could certainly be a bargaining tool. The current supplier had started at 87 cents and lowered it in several steps to 80. After calling around, the blower found a supplier that started commercial rates at 80 cents and was willing to provide what was needed at 70 cents, plus provide a 500 gallon tank without a siting (installation) fee or monthly rental. The blower reports that this will mean a $100 saving a week. It soitonly dusnt hoit to ahsk! 12/18/93 [So much for smugness, I just discovered that if I get 10 gallons or more, it is $1/gallon. That only happens if I drain the tanks, which I rarely do.]

ANNUAL REVIEW - Just after the first of the year is a good time for an annual review, if for no other reason than that the last payment of estimated taxes is due January 15th and most states with sales taxes expect a payment before the end of the month (although paying it in December makes it deductible on a cash basis in the year collected.)
Most glassblowers make more of their money in the fall holiday season than any other similar time, so a review now might include the answers to questions about whether money has been made to cover the cost of the shop, the cost of living and the cost of improvements. It might also be time to plan, roughly perhaps, the rest of the year. Will time be taken for classes - teaching or taking? Is an application in order for Pilchuck, Penland, or the Glass Center? What memberships or subscriptions to renew? Take time to go to the Glass Art Society Conference in March? (In Oakland in '94.)
Is it time to raise prices? Time to try a somewhat lower price on part of the line? What products do you most enjoy making that might be made more attractive to buyers or more characteristically yours? What products to drop? What to add? -- If someone likes your work, can they get something bigger - platter, pitcher, vase - or smaller or a set?
It should be time to review how outlets for your glass are doing. Are you getting your money back in proportion to what you sent? Did you get more money from a place that got less stuff? You should ask about sending more stuff. Do you want to drop the place that you shipped $500 worth of stuff to and got $50 back? Any place reporting more breakage than you think reasonable? Do you need to visit some of the places to see how they are handling your stuff? If they are far away, do you want to get a fellow artist or relative to look in? If you don't have any far away sales, is it time to work on some?
Do you want to try some alternative sales choices? Are you putting at least some of your work into Interior Decorating Galleries? Craft Malls? Art Galleries? Glass Galleries? Museum Shops? Are you displaying a fair representation of your work at your studio? Have you gotten any publicity in papers or local "scene" magazines? What about selling some of your stuff personally, whether at an independent craft fair, at sales as part of a heritage day, or at an arts and crafts event? Although setting up could be a major nuisance, what about actually blowing at a renaissance fair or music/craft event?

SHIELD - I bought a Glendale Blue Diamond 826 welding shade #5 face shield through Welders Supply for $14.50 and used it for the first time tonight. The most widely used tinted face shields are sold by Jackson Products. I had started using one after seeing Connie & John Sullivan use them last May at the Bowling Green workshop; they cut the bottom half off theirs, to blow without raising it, which I haven't done yet. Jackson's darkest is about welding shade 2.5 and not specifically rated by them. Research at Blenko reported by Independent Glassblower recommends at least a #4. I went and ordered mine after feeling some eye dryness and prickles after spending time looking in the glory hole. It is easier to order #5, which my local distributor keeps in stock, than a #4, but they all cost the same. #5 is really dark; looking at a frosted 100 watt bulb makes the filament comfortably visible. I found looking at the fire comfortable. It is so dark that at night with limited lighting that it must be flipped up, but I did that anyway. I will probably add more lights, but I was ready to do THAT anyway.

G.A.S.CONFERENCE - The 1994 Glass Art Society Conference will be held March 17-20, a month and a half earlier than last year's. Early registration deadline is 2/11/94 to save $25. Registration is $175 before 2/11, $200 2/12 to 3/16 and $225 at the door. Membership is also required, $40 for individual. Student rates are $75/100/125 with $15 membership. Membership includes the Journal, reporting on the Conf., a membership directory, and a newsletter of improving quality.
The 1994 Conference is in Oakland California and seems especially rich. Arranged tours of open studios and galleries and a number of pre- and post-conference workshops are available. As part of fund raising, donated goblets and work created during demos will be auctioned off. Demos include Lino Tagliapeitro and Dante Marioni on Wed. Over 30 studios are listed as participating in Open Studios Day on Thursday. Nearly 40 listed galleries will be showing glass in March and two tours are arranged for Friday night. A pre-conf 3-day "student" workshop is part of a list of 7 or 8 activities.
Contact G.A.S. at 1305 Fourth Avenue, Suite 711, Seattle WA 98101-2401, 206-382-1305 FAX:206-382-2630. 12/25/93

THE GLASS WORKSHOP seems to have become the public name of the New York Experimental Glass Workshop, Inc. [647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn NY 11217-1112 718-625-3685 FAX:718-625-3889] as it appears large (with glass in neon script) while NYEGW is small. In any case, they want donations to fulfill $85,000 of their $615,000 budget. 12/25/93

G.A.S. NEWS arrives with several continuing improvements including photos of several pieces of glass, four exhibitions to enter and eighteen exhibitions to see. The lack of the latter was a particular point of complaint by me about the old newsletter, which was the only one I had ever gotten that didn't report on member activities. The lead story is Fritz Dreisbach getting the Rakow Commission and producing a 54.7 cm (21.5 in) tall engraved goblet commemorating 30 years of American studio glass (pictured.) Also included are updates on the conference, notes on Corning and Monterrey, and a brief article on fusing.
G.A.S. [see above] is changing its membership year from calendar year to signup date. The former is more convenient for small organizations but gets out of hand for bigger ones and short changes somewhat those who join at/for the conference. I got my newsletter today (12/30/93) with one of the mentioned exhibitions to enter having a deadline tomorrow and one Dec. 10.
Since I didn't get this issue out early enough to tell you of the deadline (January 17th) for the Dearborn Community Arts Council for a show, Glassic Ingenuity, in April during Michigan Glass Month, I'll omit contact details. But a few notes from the flier received 1/10/94 might be interesting. Originally for artists from six Great Lakes states (MI, IL, IN, WI, NY, PA, I don't know why Ohio was left out) it was opened at some point to ALL, a hand written entry. Two good sounding jurors from Ohio State and Habatat. Entry by slides, up to 9 for 3 works, with descriptive page and SASE for return. Application and $20 entry fee. Any kind of glass allowed, 2D pieces less than 6x6 feet, 3D works must fit in an elevator. Upon acceptance, contracts will be sent, for sales where DCAC will keep 30% commission. Shipping in reusable packaging. Show dates are 4/15-5/25, shipments must arrive by March 25 after acceptance mailed 1/31.

THE INDEPENDENT GLASSBLOWER "Fall" issue (#31 SEP/OCT/NOV) arrived on the last day of the year with a good pair of articles on punty use and an appeal for suggestions. A thin issue. 12/31/93

ANGLE IRON - Many supports, for yokes or props, used in glassblowing are made of pipe with a rod inside, the rod locked in position with a bolt through a nut welded to the pipe. But welding round stuff to other stuff can be awkward, angle iron scrap is much more common, and angle against angle has more friction area. But one failure of angle iron is an easy way to make it telescope to change height and fasten it. One solution is a bracket at hardware stores used for bed frames, which is used to adjust the frame length and width. The bed frame clip [$1.89] is roughly C shaped with a bolt through it. The clip doesn't allow rotation as a tube/bolt does, but rotation is rarely needed. I use C-clamps for trying things. 1/1/94

BOOK - If you are interested in the history of glass, especially of its spread and the people who can be identified as succeeding or failing in various countries, you might look for: Glass, its tradition and its makers, by Ada Polak (G.P.Putnam's Sons, New York 1973, 748.29 P762G ISBN 399-11523-4 LC 74-25236) but be aware that it stops at Tiffany, specifically 1870. Fairly sparse on pictures of work but enough to show examples. Many chapters: 22 for 209 pages and most have sub-headings every few of pages. 1/3/94

BOOK STORE - I asked for the catalog of The Glass Library [A Division of The Glass Press, 28 S.South St., Newtown PA 18940 1-800-786-8720] after a reference on CompuServe. This looks like a great source for glass books on any topic except molten glassblowing. Good looking choice of books on business and safety. Other topics include flameworking, beadmaking, stained glass, fusing, glass history, and gifts. 1/12/94

CHERRY DOWEL - I like using dowels for working the opening of my pieces. One source of cherry dowels is Woodworker's Supply [1-800-645-9292] which sells 1/2" by 3' (203-010) for $1.80 and has sizes from 1/4" to 1 3/4" mostly in 1/8" steps.

DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART - It has been a long time since I have been in the DMA. They have built an addition and reconstituted the museum into three parts: European, Contemporary, and Americas, the latter made of several collections of Inca, AmerInd, etc., previously not as well shown. One change is a lot more space to show glass, including a room called the Dallas Glass Club Study Room, which has a lot of pressed and engraved and a few pieces of Tiffany and other blown including a glass ladle and rolling pin and a presentation cane. Not worth a special trip to Dallas, but several times more pieces showing than before. The new arrangement is pretty good. I visited the shop and found Art Allison's stuff being the only serious glass on hand and that about seven feet off the ground. 1/13/94

DOING IT - After a long day, had a terrific evening of blowing, getting all four pieces cleanly off the pipe, all reasonably shaped, and all off the punty fairly cleanly. Biggest change was buying a flat steel bar 1/16" x 3/4" and cutting it to make a pair of jacks. The thinner edge and proper application cut the neck down the way it is supposed to and every piece broke cleanly with one tap. 1/13/94

GLASS MAGAZINE, Number 54, Winter 92 [The Glass Workshop, above, $28 quarterly] arrived. I like it more than the last issue. Some of this is just that the photos in the gallery ads are more to my taste. Inside: The Workshop has an ad for taking a chance on a Chihuly, giving on August 1 a 6"x 11" blue "Seaform" bowl with egg shapes in it to one of the people who donates $100 before then. Nice interview between Maria Porges, artist/writer, and Pike Powers, now artistic director of Pilchuck. Articles on Josiah McEhleny who "forges" history, on Eve Andree Laramee who barely includes glass in her pieces and Jill Reynolds who makes many similar lampworked pieces and arranges them. Another on Bianconi who designed in the 50's in Italy, including some brightly colored and pierced pieces I would like to make today. One piece that delighted me is by Vladimir Klein in an ad by three Japanese exhibit sites: starting as a round, ragged ended, brightly colored rod which does a loop while changing to a clear, very square, shape. An ad appears for a periodical: Glass Focus, the Contemporary Art Glass Periodical, Glass in Black & White [9323 Olcott, Morton Grove IL 60053, FAX 312-738-0832, $20 for 6 issues in a year, $5 for back issue, $100 per year for galleries ad included.] 1/14/94

VISUAL IMAGES - I was changing channels last night and encountered an astonishing PBS show: Great Performances: Dance in America: Lar Lubovitch and Company and Momix: Pictures on the Edge. This is an hour film featuring modern dance choreography to two classics: Ravel's Bolero and Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition, the latter being more astonishing. The first astonishment was simply that it was made at this quality and level of expense (it is Canadian, of course.) One of the sets for a 3 minute sequence easily cost $10,000. Beyond the production quality the images are inventive and unpredictable while still staying within the context of the story of Pictures. Some are disturbing, some are just (just?) context twisting. With parts of the orchestra playing along the walls of the gallery and in other settings and dancers outdoors, under floors and under water, it is one of the best integrations of music and images I have seen. Unless you entirely hate Pictures, video or dance, try to catch this thing. 1/18/94

PILCHUCK GLASS SCHOOL has changed their address in Seattle to 315 Second Avenue So., Suite 200, Seattle WA 98104-2618. This address is used until May 6 and after Sep.3. People wanting a quicker copy of the summer schedule by priority mail can send a $2.90 SASE, otherwise the regular mailing will be in February. The advance flier for tells of Summer '94 is 5 sessions of 5 classes each plus a two week Art and Architecture Symposium. Inclusive course fees are $1,725 to $2,825 per (mostly) 17 day session. Artists-in-Residence for '94 are Peter Boynton, Squeak Carnwarth, Wille Cole, Raimund Kummer, Akira Kurosaki, Maya Lin, Italo Scanga, Martha Schwartz, Lorna Simpson, Trimpin. 1/24/94

DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART - Grants - Three separate grant programs administered by the DMA [Debra Wittrup, Awards to Artists, 1717 North Harwood, Dallas TX 75201, 214-922-1248] have a postmark deadline of March 1, 1994. Two are for younger artists committed to continuing their endeavors. The DeGolyer Fund is for 15-25 year old, southwestern (TX, OK, NM, AZ, CO) artists and may be up to $1500. The Kimbrough Fund is for Texas artists under 30 and is $3500 or less. The Dozier Travel Grant is up to $6000 for Texas artists 30 or older to travel to expand artistic horizons. Application requirements for all include slides, vitae, and plans. Call or write for detailed information sheet. 1/25/94

TEFLON - I have been using pieces of teflon to support my pipe at the fire. While the teflon has stood up well to the heat from the fire, it melted quickly when a hot pipe was pulled out and rested on it. Teflon gives off nasty chlorine/fluorine fumes when burned.

TRANSFER BALLS are a single ball mounted in a shell so it can move in any direction. Normally, many are mounted on a flat surface to allow handling panels or boxes, transferring between conveyors. For glassblowing, only a couple are needed and Woodworker's Supply [1-800-645-9292] sells 5/8" for $2.45 each [853-756 p.25; 1" 853-763 $3.25.] These have a flat flange mount (a stud mount is another choice from other sources.) I cut and bent a piece of 1/8" steel to a right angle and bolted the balls to each side so the tops were nearly together. I then bolted the angle to the back of my shield/support. The 5/8" is rather small, 1" would be a better choice for larger pipes than mine. I still think the balls are noisy compared to the teflon. 1/25/94

TOOLS - I have a 1/4" steel plate which I lay on the ground (and level) against which I blow the bottom of many of my pieces, since I like a broad bottom and work alone. 1/27/94

POTS - Using several bowls, I have used more of my previously mixed clay to make two very small pots, a middling bowl and a serious pot for my next furnace. All were made by shaping the clay inside existing bowls, the smallest using slope-sided custard cups. The largest was made in an expensive mixing bowl which had the right size (8" ID) and tapered shape. I think this is about as big a pot as I could expect to find an even bowl of the right shape. The pounding called for in the interior support style is awkward inside and getting the thickness even takes many rounds. I have no experience as a clay worker. I will build my next hot spot around the big pot. I am using the smallest pot for added color. 1/27/94

CONTROLLER - Having upgraded my controller to the four set-point option, I find it very convenient to use. By presetting several temperatures and using the same ramp hours, only a few keystrokes are needed. If you would like an recipe on the controller, contact me. 1/27/94 [1600 series, Love Controls Corporation [1475 S.Wheeling Rd, Wheeling IL 60090 1-800-828-4588]. Cost would be $185 + $35 for four set point plus shipping and COD ($13.60.) (Add a K type thermocouple, $9-20, and solid state relay, minimum $15.)

I would like to know of people involved in glassblowing, glassblowers, even those who only blow part of the year; glassblowing studios; and galleries showing and/or selling blown glass. At a minimum, I will send them a copy of Hot Glass Bits. Beyond that, maybe some coordination, reducing costs, sharing experience. Address or phone number needed. Also, schools and people doing teaching in studios.

Blow good glass.

Three groups of people get Hot Glass Bits at this point: Those who are mentioned in an issue, those I feel like sending a copy to, and those who have paid some money. The only ones guaranteed to get the next issue are the last group.

Started 11/28/93 ending 1/31/94 Para spacing in format, Header has #

52 Artists & 50 Glass-DB 102 total sent, 115 copies