stoneware kiln for this purpose but something was needed to
maintain that constant temperature. Bits and pieces from an
old furnace control were reworked to cycle the kiln on and
off at a controlled rate. It works beautifully.

A “Gaffer's Bench" had to be built, This is a bench with two
parallel and horizontal bars protruding from the front on which
the blow pipe or punty is rolled during the working of the
blown piece. A marvering table, blocks and all the other
paraphernalia were built, scrounged or knocked together and
finally the time came to “make glass”.

To get into production on a temporary basis, four small propane
tanks were hooked up to the Maxon premix blower. These
have to be refilled every day and changed every hour when
they freeze up, but I am making glass. I am experimenting
with techniques, trying ideas, learning about glass and

having a ball. Just like a beginning potter about eighty per
cent of the work goes back into the scrap can, but at least

I don't have to re-wedge it. The blob of glass on the end

of the blow pipe is alive, responsive and beautifully FLUID.

It is fantastic fun.

From my experience so far I have arrived at a few simple
rules:

Always put the small end of the blow pipe in your
mouth, the other end is red hot.

Never dribble molten glass down your leg or up your
sleeve.

Never leave a hot blow iron on the gaffer's bench, it is
at a critical level if you walk into it.

A clout in the mouth with a heavy iron can split your lip
or knock a tooth out. Make sure your mouth is open.

Off-hand glass blowing is an exciting and creative craft, but
it ain't easy.

Stan Clarke

10.