Really close to melting glass

I currently have everything that I need, with the exception of oxygen, to melt and blow glass. This weekend I went to FlameTree Glass and picked up some tube, silver, regulators, hose, and flashback arrestors.

If the wife is feeling up to it, I’m going to see if she will pick up a tank of oxygen from AirGas. You see I work all day and AirGas closes at 4:30pm. this means that my job, 7:30am to 5:30pm, doesn’t leave me any time to get gas for the glass. This task will have to be entrusted to my wife. it shouldn’t be an issue at all. I’m just hoping that they will load it into the van for her.

I might wait until after Christmas, but I’m really not sure. I would like to have it all ready to go, one of the problems that I’m going to have is heat. As I’m working outside, I’m sure to freeze a little. I will be ok if I can just cut the wind from hitting me. I might see what I can do about moving everything into the garage, but I’m not sure how the other residents of the house will feel about that. If that is to happen though, I will need another month or so to get setup, so I will more than likely work outside for now.

FlameTree is also having an Open Torch on Dec 23rd. I’m taking a half day off from work to go and hang out with other glass melters. This will be people that make beads, sculptures and maybe even some pipe makers. Also, Lance will give me a brief demo of fuming glass. So it is an exciting time. I’m on the brink of a new adventure, like it hasn’t been an adventure already.