My glassblowing workshop vacation turned out pretty awful

Scraped together cash for a week-long glass class by the coast. I hoped to pick up some cool shaping tricks and maybe make a nice vase. The place looked nice online but in person it was run down and dirty. We had to share basic tools like jacks and paddles, and they were all worn out. The instructor seemed bored and rushed through demos without letting us ask questions. On the last day, the annealer had a issue and several pieces, including mine, got thermal stress cracks. Felt like a waste of time and travel. Now I'm back at my own bench wondering why I even went.

3 comments

3 Comments

faithbennett29d ago

Thermal stress cracks really are the worst way to end a trip. I feel you, last thing I made at home just sort of slumped over like a tired candle. What did the workshop say about the broken pieces, anything?

julia_lee24d ago

Ugh, it's the worst feeling. I had a big platter just give up on me right as it was cooling once. That slow ping sound when the crack forms just kills me. The workshop people just shrugged and said it happens to everyone, which is true but still sucks. Makes you want to just give up on the whole kiln sometimes.

brooke52029d ago

Thermal stress cracks on the last day... that's just brutal. I'd be so mad after all that effort.