Classes
SAFETY
All students are required to supply their own safety glasses. If you do not have any, we do sell a variety of protective eye-wear. Safety glass are to be worn at all times while working in the glass shop.
Working at the point of the torch produces radiation that is bad for your eyes as well as your skin. Good posture and optimum distance from the flame will reduce these hazards.
The most common injuries that occur in the glass shop are minor burns and cuts.
Cuts can be the most serous of the injuries, causing possible tendon and nerve damage. Always be careful when moving around glass. Never push or force glass, and when working with molten glass always stop moving before the glass.
Minor burns are the most common of injuries. Many of these injuries can be avoided by working only one end of your rod in the flame. Also. by placing the hottest end of the rod or tubing away from you when setting them down on the workbench.
More serious burns caused by the flame require immediate attention. Place the burn under cold water, keeping it submerged for approximately 20 minutes. This procedure is necessary, because of the exotic mix of gases and carbon. This mixture formed on the skin can microscopically spontaneously combust casing further damage to your skin. The water will neutralize the mixture of gasses and carbons.
REGULATOR SAFETY
OXYGEN -- Be aware that many petroleum products can spontaneously combust when they come in contact with pure oxygen. Never use oil or oil base products on your regulators or equipment.
PROPANE -- Propane is heavier than air and always store your bottle outside and in an upright position
Flashback Arrestors or Check Valves are advised with the use of all regulators.
SAFETY TIPS
Be prepared for your project. Have your work site and tools set up prior to turning on the flame.
Know your equipment and surrounding.
Make sure ventilation is on.
Be considerate of your neighbor workers. Do Not make sudden moves or distract others at the flame.
Always ask before borrowing another person's equipment.
We also recommend getting sylvanite (burn ointment), from your local pharmacist.
Avoid creating hazardous waste, i.e. stringers and bubble trash.
Do not force the glass, get it hotter.
Do not burn the glass (looks white-bubbly), move faster.
REMEMBER:
FIRE BURNS AND GLASS CUTS!!!
Bob
Snodgrass, like fine wine, keeps getting better
with each year. Last year he made lots of wonderful
glass art pieces. And it is not going to stop
this year. Glassblowing classes with Bob Snodgrass
are the best way to improve your skills. Bob
Snodgrass teaches classes once or twice a month
in Eugene, Oregon. These classes are extremely
instructional where in the students ask their
questions of Bob. Classes are 2-5 days long,
8+ hours per day. His classroom has three Carlisle
stations, so there is a lot of hands on work.
Students are required to bring safety glasses
and a list of questions for Bob. Lunch and
dinner are served. You'll dine with the Snodgrass
team, reflect on the day and watch videos.
All levels of glassworkers are welcome.
$275 per day. Call for current class list and
to set up reservations or E-mail us at: bob@snodgrass.net
CLASS OUTLINE: A THREE-DAY OVERVIEW
Classes are limited to only four students per session. Teacher assistants may
also be present during class sessions to offer students one on one instruction.
Classes may also include visits to other glass shops in the area, observing
lathe operations, and soft glass blowing. Classes in soft glass can be
arranged or scheduled.
PRIOR TO FIRST DAY
It is recommended to have read at least one book on glass blowing to learn
the terminology that applies. Also read the Snodgrass Safety Manual.
Discuss safety manual, equipment fundamentals, and cold procedures as a group.
First feel of glass in a fluid state.
Make color from clear glass and chemicals.
Goal - make rods of color, and a game piece - your first game piece.
Excellent examples of using scrap - increasing
it's value to 20 - 50 dollars per pound.
Create a simple milefiori.
Applying the color that you have made to produce filigrees.
Practice Time -
Review and try what you have just learned!
Lunch - Group video watching and discussion time! All students are encouraged to ask any questions they may have. After lunch get set for a jam session of creating earrings by the yard, more advanced filigrees, and applying latticinio techniques. Ideally pulling as much as fifteen feet of cane at a time.
Create more advanced millifioris with the use of optic molds and a vacuum pump.
Group project - Each student is given a portion of the cane.
Uses of canes made in solid applications pendants and sculpture.
Dine and recap your day as a glass blower.
10:00 pm is clean up and prep for the next day. That's it for the night, see you in the morning.
Review safety and equipment.
Discuss procedures of tubing, and pulling points.
First use of tubing and solid glass to produce 3-D pendants and marbles.
Make spheres - Using next 10 examples:
1. fuming
2. trailing
3. optic molds
Take a lunch break and watch videos!
4. opposing spirals
5. free dots
Practice the first five examples.
6. inside out lines
7. inside out dots
8. frit use
9. cut and flip
10. seals - The joining of at least nine pieces Practice all the examples that you have acquired over the last two days. Dinner, Videos, Discussion, and Quiz. Shop is open until 10:00 pm take advantage of extra time to practice some more. Clean up and prep for next day at 9:00 a.m. See you in the morning!
Beads - Bottles - Jars.
Work - Practice time will be allowed between demos.
Lunch and videos to relax by.
Create marbles from different designs.
Flowers, skulls, and approximately 12 other marbles.
Examples of hollow work sculptures.
Pick up - ideal use of scrap.
Dine and recap your three-day adventure of glass blowing.
We are proud to say that we have had return students who have improved their work with each class session they attended.