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Glass Craftsman Magazine brings the world of glass crafting to you. Whether you enjoy doing traditional stained glass, Tiffany style lampmaking, glass mosaics, sandblasting & etching, glass fusing, casting, bead making or torch work, or any of the latest hybrid hot/cold glass working techniques; whether you work in glass for your own enjoyment or as a professional artist or craftsperson, the information in Glass Craftsman has but one goal: to make you a better glass artist and craftsperson, and give you the information you need to get the most out of your glass working experience.
The Issue at Hand - Apr/May 2009 Editorial
And the Good News Is...?
"I get all the news I need from the weather report…" Songwriter Paul Simon said that back in the day, and boy, do I wish it were still possible. The fact is, we're being pelted with the news on an ongoing basis whether we like it or not, and lately the news is …well it is what it is and I don't have to add to it. I just thank my lucky stars that this isn't a financial publication.
Fortunately for us, we have the perfect foil for whatever news is doled out to us, and it's right at our fingertips, literally.
The day you decided to take up glass crafting or became a confirmed glassaholic, you gave yourself one of the greatest gifts you could ever put to practical use. Besides the ability to create beautiful things out of glass, metal, some tools, and gray cells, you rewarded yourself with a safe haven for whatever the unrelenting world out there confronts you with. A hideout. For as long as I've been doing glass, I've always maintained that the outside world stops at my bench. It is the one place on the planet where I am in complete control, and all that is undesirable is not allowed. Nothing enters or happens there that does not have my sanction and approval. Even when I am immersed in a commission where the parameters and the details have been filtered through someone else's wants and desires, the actual doing and creating is all mine. Even when something goes wrong, as it sometimes does, I can fix it. I rule. And within that environment I can get lost, clear my mind, find a safe place to do what I do best, not to mention doing something that brings me joy.
... And while I'm there, the rest of the world can take a hike!
I have met so many people over the years who have described their glass working experiences in the same way. Hearing someone say, "Working in glass takes my mind off everything else," or "Glasswork helps me relax," or the best, "Glass is my escape" reinforces what I've always believed about glass and any creative act for that matter; putting your mind and body to constructive, positive use can save you from what ails you, whether it's a tough day at work, a personal crisis, the need to do something rewarding, or these days, the bad news about the economy.
We should consider ourselves among the lucky ones who have such a place to go and such a personal power at our disposal. Not everyone can lay claim to such an ability.
So, my advice is this: Next time you're standing at your workbench, kiln or worktable, keep this in mind... Of all the places in all of the world, you are safe there and there, only good things happen. The world outside is unpredictable and inconsiderate at times, and much of what happens is beyond our control…but not there. That's the good news.
Enjoy your glasswork.
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