Glassblowers/Flameworkers??

I've done lampwork glass beads for a number of years, so I can make a few comments.

Glass is a specialized field, and you'll need different items for different sytles.

For beads, you'll want to get a bead torch (also takes oxygen/propane tanks), graphite tools, a small kiln for anealing, and I like Effetre/Moretti for Italian glass (available in pre-pulled rods nice for working) and Bullseye Glass out of Portland, Oregon for domestic. Bullseye was a stained glass company but expanded into bead supplies about ten years ago. You won't want to mix the two in one project because they will crack when they cool.

For pipes and sex toys, you'll be working with a torch, but the glass is completely different. You're dealing with "borosilicate", or basically Pyrex. It's great because you don't have to anneal, but it's heavier to work and takes real patience. Borosilicate beads... I never had luck with them. They'd be tough, but damn hard to work.

As for glass blowing, you're talking a complete glass studio because you're talking big, open kilns for melting. I haven't done any personally, and it looks incredible, but it's not something you're going to set up on a shoestring budget. We're talking big bucks and an industrial grade building to house it.

If you want a source, start with www.waleapparatus.com as a jumping off spot for equipment. For glass, I found www.artglass1.com which sells Effetre/Moretti online.

Good luck.

 

Boro beads are damn popular. It's all about working the glass hot, working the color properly (different colors are made with different mineral mixures, the alchemy changes from even one batch to another...some minerals will cause you to want to reduce, oxidize, or otherwise change the flame... sometimes it's just a matter of holding it in a slightly different place or position) once the color is pretty well in there the clear glass will temper it a bit so you can hit the whole thing, rewarming it, let it just barely solidify and stuff it in the kiln.

 

Borosilicate does need to be anealed, especially toys. They are thicker, and more prone to thermal stress, as well as 'other considerations'.

 

now thats hot!! haha