Whattaya Think?
UNPUBLISHED RESPONSES
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WHATTAYA THINK • SGN #67
UNPUBLISHED RESPONSES • page 5
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Well, I know you asked for "most helpful Piece of advice" for beginners, but a flood of ideas suddenly came to mind. Most important to me (and not in any particular order):
1) Go for it – extend yourself, don't hold back, try more "daring" and more difficult projects – you most likely will be pleasantly surprised at what you can achieve.
2) Take classes, perfect your craft and your confidence.
3) Practice, practice, practice.
4) Don't cut corners on safety, eye protection when necessary, exhaust fan and face mask for fumes, gloves, etc.
5) Regarding tools and equipment, get the best that you can afford.
6) Go for the "look" you want to achieve even if the glass seems a little pricey at the time. Think of all your time and effort – it deserves quality glass, even your "beginner" pieces will be around for enjoyment a long, long time.
7) Set aside "your time" for your glass hobby – don't wait for time to suddenly present itself – time has a habit of getting taken up by something and everything else.
8) You are never obligated to finish a project you don't want to, or don't like.
9) Remember, not everything will be to your liking and that's okay. Most likely you will have learned something, even if you feel compelled to pitch a project out.
10) Glass management - must be able to store, handle and FIND your glass - from larger sheets, smaller pieces to scraps. I find the Morton System an enormous "life saver".
11) Organization of tools and supplies, patterns, glass (colors & textures), a big plus. Remember, your collection will grow.
– Holly StedmanThe most helpful advice I could give a beginner is to make sure your glass is clean and free of oil prior to foiling. It will help prevent the solder from lifting after the piece is together. Also, burnish, burnish, burnish!
– Andrea Townsend