Read the interview with Giggle Glass artist Bear Trap StudiosNWI. and learn from their glass blowing experience. Learn more about their revolutionary techniques here.
Who are you?
I’m a dog loving outdoorsman who enjoys wild fishing, mushroom hunting, banjo picking, and melting glass.
I go by the name TBearGlass, or TBearKokemusic and work out of my home studio, Bear Trap StudiosNWI.
When did you first get started in this industry?
I first got started in this industry in 2021 after meeting Crush Signal who was vending his glass at a music festival I was working at.
I recognized his art as a piece I had bought at a head shop in my town.
We got to talking and he invited me over to start playing around with the glass. After a couple months of grinding down glass on lap wheels for some cool inside out one hitter crystal looking pieces, I was able to save enough money to buy some raw glass.
He let me work on a little national torch and after about a year in his shop I realized I could just build my own shop in my garage. I still go hang out with him sometimes, but most of my work is out of Bear Trap Studios now.
What New Innovations Have You Been Working On?
I don't really know if I'm working on any new innovations or anything new in the glass world, I kind of just like playing with glass.
I've been messing around with implosion marbles. Retichello pendants, maybe some similiar marbles that I can add to some pipes. I’ve been trying to figure out how I can make some side car double bubblers but recently I’ve been working on creating Millie art for my lady and partner in crime’s band, The Found Sounds.
I’m working with a small bluebird paragon kiln, so sometimes I have to be careful at the size of pieces I’m working on.
How Do You See the Future of This Industry Going, and Do You Have Any Advice for Those Trying to Break Into It?
Yeah, I'm not real sure I'm the best to answer that question cause I'm still trying to break into the industry myself. I've been on a torch since 2022 and I'm still learning a lot. I really haven't reached out to learn any new techniques from anybody. I'm kind of winging everything on my own and just trying to find my niche in what I like doing.
Any Fun Facts About Your Work Habits or Creative Process?
My work habits revolve around the weather, time of year, moon phases, and what fish are biting. It’s all about what season we’re in.
I always have a TV playing YouTube music, Glass Man Standing, Torchtalk or random traveling videos while I work.
My black and yellow ying&yang labs, Banjo and Rocky, usually hang out with me in the shop. I'm training them for duck hunting and they do a pretty good job of sitting in their place without causing a ruckus. I love their company and they don’t complain when I pick the banjo during breaks, as long as I throw some tennis balls for them to chase in the yard.
