Are beadmakers also "glassblowers"?

[Dragynsfyre]

Ok, this is a really STOOOOPID question, but... Is lampworking also considered glassblowing?

Everyone who looks at my beads that is not familiar with beadmaking will almost ALWAYS say "Oh, you blow glass?". Well, I don't know what to say since there is no "blowing" involved with beadmaking (unless I am using Raku frit and am blowing ON the bead :smile: ).

In my store and when I do craft shows and stuff, I have a large picture frame with 6 pictures showing my studio, glass rods & my torch, me making a bead, my O2 and Propane setup, my kiln and the steps to cleaning my beads and I show them the process to help them understand.

My dilema is this... I am doing radio advertising for the month of February and have made about a dozen of hearshaped bead pendants, and I am now concentrating on pink & red beads for bracelets and keychains, etc... When I advertise on the radio, should I say "One of a kind, hand-blown glass heart pendants and jewelry" since the majority of the population does not know what "lampworking" is, but everyone seems to have an idea of what "glass blowing" is. I will only have 30 seconds to verbally describe what I am selling.

So, I need enlightenment and opinions...

[kiko]

I guess technically you are "glass winding" :lol: !! Torch working might be a better way to describe making beads with a torch. Used to be that "glass blower" was limited to those who work in a hot glass studio with a glory hole etc., or "off hand glass blower". Now a lot of boro people refer to themselves as "glass blowers". They are blowing glass on a torch, using either tubing or blow pipes. If you aren't inflating your beads with air in any way call it torch working. IMO

[Juln]

I call the solid stuff I make 'sculpted'.

[jaylee78]

How about flameworked?

[dogmaw]

I think that if you only have 30 seconds, it isn't a crime to call yourself a "glassblower". Most people know what that is, and you need to get the biggest bang for your buck.

[Cosmo]

Technically, "glassblowing" involves blowing glass. But, when I tell anyone I'm a lampworker, they come back with "you make lamps?". I do some blown work, but most of what I do is solid.

I personally don't see anything wrong with saying you are a glassblower. All the time I see bead shops selling "hand-blown glass" beads.