BLOG – 35 YEARS AGO BLOG 8

My raw material is of course glass. That is, you would expect a glass artist to say. It could of course be sand but then I don’t make glass. I make glassware and I use glass tubing and rod. All different diameters but truth is I just keep a few sizes in stock. I don’t want to pay for storing glass that I hardly use so I aim to make everything from just a few choice selections of diameters. The one constant is the length, so it doesn’t matter whether the rod or tubing is 9mm diameter or 90 the length is always 1500mm. This does present a challenge for delivery. I mean the postie struggles to put such large parcels through my letter box!

There are over 50,00 different types of glass available, and I only use one which is known as borosilicate. Ideal for working in an open flame and some may have heard of one type with the brand name of “Pyrex.” The glass I use is “Simax” and originates from the Kavalier glass works in the Czech Republic which is one of the oldest glassworks in Europe. I order through an agent based in Redhill, Surrey and delivery is really prompt at about a couple of days from placing each order. Cost of delivery is I suppose expensive, but the price of the glass is very economical so on balance I am happy. Anyway, any material costs are factored into the price of each item.

Because I am not based at my studio full time then I always ask for the glass to be delivered to my home address which I am sure causes bemusement to my neighbours. I imagine they think I am getting a new kitchen fitted every few weeks!

The glass tubing or rod is always packed to protect it from knocks and wrapped in what used to be bubble wrap. Such packing is frowned upon now which is a shame as I used it as a free supply to pack my glassware, so recycling in action!