What am I?

Mary K · #1 2011-02-14, 9:44am

At craft and art show, people always say "oh you are a glassblower"
I am not sure if that applies to me. I melt glass and make only solid things, I do boro pendants mostly, some beads. I do not blow things hollow, I don't make pipes or vessels. Am I a Lampworker, or Flameworker, or Glassblower?
What title is most appropriate?

swamper · #2 2011-02-14, 9:51am

Lampworker, or Flameworker

berningglass · #3 2011-02-14, 10:49am

ahhh yes. i too have have struggled with that question ,mary. i've decided to use what i consider proper terminology and call myself a lampworker. and use it as an opportunity to spread a lil information ,and where the term lampwork came from. not sure why but the term glassblower makes me uncomfortable.

Kalera · #4 2011-02-14, 1:11pm

I go with lampworker or glassworker.

Jenne · #5 2011-02-14, 1:26pm

Because people think of lamps if I say "lampworker", I just say..."I make glass beads". If they want to know more, I explain lampworking to them.

fawnheights · #6 2011-02-14, 2:31pm

Business Owner? Artist?

I'm like Jenne - I usually go with I make my own glass beads.

Mary K · #7 2011-02-14, 7:14pm

Ha hahaha you don't know how many times I have been asked if I could take a look at someone's lamp that is broken. That's why I don't go with that term, "Lampwork"
I think I like "Flamework Artist" the best. It sounds......dangerous and artsy. I like that.

PerfectDeb · #8 2011-02-15, 3:41am

yes, i usually say lampworker, which is usually followed by them saying "oh, you make lamps, how interesting"

sigh...

Ekkie · #9 2011-02-15, 4:05am

I have used lampworker in the past but much prefer flameworker - it is much more accurate.

Firebug · #10 2011-02-15, 6:03am

Quote:

Originally Posted by PerfectDeb

yes, i usually say lampworker, which is usually followed by them saying "oh, you make lamps, how interesting"

sigh...

That's the reaction I get too. I say Flameworker who makes glass beads.

Cheers
Kathy

Moth · #11 2011-02-15, 1:16pm

I say "Glass worker."

They respond, 'Oh like the spun glass in the mall?'

I say "No, I melt glass in a torch flame to make beads and small display pieces."

They say, "Oh, you're a glass blower"

If I see genuine interest in their eyes I will go on to explain that I'm actually a 'lampworker' and tell them more about the process.

If I think they're just being polite and their eyes begin to glaze over then I just say, "Yes...like a glassblower'. Not a complete lie because I do some small blown pieces but when most people think glassblower they think furnace.

So, my answer isn't completely accurate I suppose, but it has evolved from years of explaining exactly what I do to people and thinking they 'get it' only to have them introduce me to new people as 'my friend the glassblower'.

LOL
~~Mary

jaci · #12 2011-02-16, 8:54am

A lot of beads, especially commercial murano beads are called "hand blown" Taking this into consideration and a bit of Italian glass history, noting there was a split at one point in time in which glass blowers started to experiment with lamp work, using a modified lamp, with forced air to melt glass, I consider myself a glassblower specializing in torch work/flame work/lampwork.

When people tell me I am a glass blower, or ask, I say yes, but glass blowing is split into torch work, and furnace work, and I do the torch work. This usually satisfies them.

Lorraine Chandler · #13 2011-02-16, 9:27am

We either work in cold glass, Warm glass or Hot glass. I always say I work in hot glass.

I do some fusing and slumping but my main venue of work in hot glass is called "lampworking'. Gives a great opportunity to introduce someone to the glass world.

The excerpt below is from Wikipedia:

"Warm glass or kiln-formed glass is the working of glass, usually for artistic purposes, by heating it in a kiln. The processes used depend on the temperature reached and range from fusing and slumping to casting.

'Warm' glass is in contrast to the many cold-working glass processes, such as leaded glass. 'Hot' glass, glass blowing or lampworking is the working of glass in a direct flame, such as for laboratory glassware and beadmaking."

Lorraine

DarkFlowerBead · #14 2011-02-16, 10:54am

I get this question a lot. I prefer not to use the word "blower" to describe myself for so many reasons. I say "I'm a lampwork glass artist" or if I suspect they will ask me about lamps I just say "I'm a glass artist" That covers it all because i also make stained glass mosaics out of found objects also. Good question though...
Cara