The Journey
We are getting closer to making glass and by the time you read this, hopefully I will be sitting at my bench with a gather of glass on my iron and shaping or blowing something.
Today the glass is melting at 2350 degrees. After melting, it will need to be squeezed or fined. This is the process where I will drop the temperature to around 2100 degrees, which in theory causes the little air bubbles to rise to the surface and remove themselves from the glass.
Because there are lots of unseen variables in working with a new furnace this will be a small run. That way, if it is a bust, it won't be a big one. Tomorrow I will be blowing some glass! Needless to say, we are excited!
In the meantime I am making sure I have everything ready that I will need. As glassblower's, we often use folded and wet newspaper to shape our glass. There are different kinds of paper that will work, but for those of us that blow glass everyday for a living, we have our preferences. I prefer the Wallstreet Journal. One thing certain is that our local paper is not loved by glassblower's! It turns lumpy and falls apart quickly. Colored paper won't work either as it leaves a cloudy film on the glass.
Well, I didn't think about picking up a Wallstreet Journal, and I needed some good paper. We live in the middle of nowhere so we can't just run out and grab one. I just happened to remember that I had saved several Trapper magazines from back in the early 80s. These were big 18"x12" magazines with black and white pictures, you know, those good things that you just can't bring yourself to throw away. I thought that might work. Jenelle was definitely on board!
As a couple, Jenelle and I compliment each other very well. I save things and she gives me compliments. She throws "stuff" away and I give her compliments. Ok, it's not quite like that, but when it comes to keeping things, we have differing opinions. At the same time, I have to give her lots of kudos. We couldn't do what we do if it wasn't for her organizational input.
Anyways, I headed to the basement and dug out the tote. Man, there was good stuff in there! And the magazines from the 80s, let's just say it took more than a good hour to figure out which one would make the best paper for glassblowing.
After looking through several papers and reading an article or two, yep, there it was. The one that I would use. Efficient? I would have to say, it was a good hour well spent.
Working for a larger company for 22 years, with half of those years being in management, I understand the importance of efficiency. Process improvement programs such as Six sigma, LEAN, and others are necessary tools in turning a profit. Time equals money, especially when you are trading your money for someone else's time.
Our goal at Keen and Bright is to be able to paddle along, working hard, but also taking the time to smell the roses. We'll be sharing some glassblowing and other creations here, but mostly we'll be sharing our journey, our day to day times of inefficiency.
