Read the interview with Giggle Glass artist Gasser Glass and learn from their glass blowing experience. Learn more about their revolutionary techniques here. Following the Chickens, Hiking, and Nature Glass: Inside the World of Michael
Who are you?
My name is Michael, I'm 45 years old. I live in the hills of West Virginia now, and spend my days growing things, raising chickens, hiking, foraging, and of course blowing glass almost every day.
When did you first get started in this industry?
I started lampworking borosilicate in the summer of 96' when I was 15. My brother bought some equipment from a guy who was having some problems and needed quick cash. He got a few lessons, and a couple months later called me up to tell me he was blowing glass. We were both big fans of Bob Snodgrass and his apprentices, and their work. So I was super excited and as soon as I could I got a greyhound bus ticket down to northern CA from Portland OR. I could only stay a couple weeks, and only managed to get a little torch time in. Then I had to head back home to Portland. My dad helped me set up a little station in front of a box fan in the garage.
I never had any real lessons, just picked things up here and there and experimented with ideas. I liked learning that way.
What New Innovations Have You Been Working On?
I'm always experimenting with ways to improve my nature designs. The trees, mushrooms, flowers, etc. I've got a lot of things I want to try, like new plant and animal murrine/millies for them, but not enough time to do them. Hopefully I'll be able to start getting 1-2 done a month and begin improving my tree designs.
How Do You See the Future of This Industry Going, and Do You Have Any Advice for Those Trying to Break Into It?
I've been told that trends go in circles, so I'm hoping all the devices go out of fashion a bit, and regular flower bowls make a comeback. But I don't see cannabis losing popularity, and as long as people smoke, there will be a demand for glass pieces.
My advice would be to go look at the cheap import pipes for sale and do something totally different. You can't compete with them. Most stores and customers don't know much about glass, so if your $30 pipe looks similar to something they can get for $10, most won't go for it. You might know that the design is totally unique, but most won't. That and keep up with the trends.
Any Fun Facts About Your Work Habits or Creative Process?
Any exciting new stuff you’re working on? Fun fact.. Well, I'm ashamed to let anyone see my mess of a workbench lol. I hate to throw away small bits of useful glass. So usually it piles up to a horrid degree before I finally throw everything into a box, or scrap it.
Just new nature millies. I've got a swallowtail butterfly half done, and want to do 1 or 2 more different butterflies or moths. I'd like to work out an underwater scene pipe using murrine and sculpture work. And I've got some new colors of mushrooms for my mushroom pipes that look really good. Hope to get those up on Giggle Glass soon.
