A Glass Blower’s Companion with Jason Michael -Helping Today's Glass Artist Think Like an Artistic Entrepreneur

This week I sit down in the virtual studio and chat with Financial Life Planner and CPA Ginger Ames about the importance of saving for the future. You can contact Ginger at https://whisperfinancial.sh and sign up for a free one on one chat that she offers on Thursdays. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to get your financial house in order. My name is Ginger and I have sampled a variety of professions. From glassblower to property manager, I have lived as both an artist as well as a business professional. My work has evolved, becoming truer to my purpose: to stoke people's creativity and to help them live into their meaning and values.  Bio:   I have worked in wealth management for several years. I am an Enrolled agent and have passed the CFP® exam. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® is a fiduciary that serves your best interest over theirs.

Welcome to a Glass Blowers Companion Episode 27! It is finally time to kick off Season 6!  Thank you to everyone that has tuned in to the show, shared it with your friends and family, reached out to me with a comment and to all of the artists and guests who have taken time from their day to share their glass journey's.   Season 6 kicks off with one of my favorite artists and humans in the glass community SALT. For the last 20-years SALT has pushed the boundaries of borosilicate glass and shown true innovation when it comes to creating functional, smokable works of art.  In 2017 representing the pipe culture, the coning museum of glass invited Salt to demonstrate his craft on a streamed presentation and  eventually added the first pipe to its permanent  museum collection.  It was an honor to have SALT join me in the virtual studio and truly hope you enjoy this conversation.  Find SALT on Instagram @saltglass @salteyelens @glassgrabapp Wanna join our growing community, gain access to video tutorials, and One-on-One Coaching calls with me all while supporting the podcast??? Use this link to become a WyzA$$ and continue to grow as an artist! SUPPORT Follow WYZGUY MEDIA on Instagram @jmichaelglass @glassblowerscompanion @fyeah_disney @one_little_spice

A Glass Blowers Companion Ep.26-Kyle Geise With less than 6-years behind the torch Kyle has managed to diversify his lines of work allowing him to make a living and find success within his business. The 2021 Glass Vegas trade show was his first time vending outside of the typical craft fair scene and was able to find success with a little bit of organization and a ton of determination to make sure he prepared. He shares the lessons learned and how he could make next years show that much better. Find Kyle on Instagram @easy.g.glass ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Help Support the show by joining our community on Patreon. For as little as $1.00 a month you'll gain access to our community and grow as an artist. Stop in for a visit and see what it's all about! www.patreon.com/wyguyradio 

Wesley and I sit down in the Virtual Studio to chat about his journey as a glass artist and how bugs became his main focus. The details achieved in a realistic scale give Wesley's creations a realism that could be compared to the Blaschka family's creations of glass specimens made for study at the Harvard Botatincal exhibit. “One of Harvard University's most famous treasures is the internationally acclaimed Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, better known as the “Glass Flowers." This unique collection was made by Leopold (1822-1895) and Rudolf Blaschka (1857-1939), a father and son team of Czech glass artists. Over fifty years, from 1886 through 1936, the Blaschkas produced 4,300 glass models that represent 780 plant species.” https://hmnh.harvard.edu/glass-flowers Join our Community and help support the show for as little as $1.00 a month!!! Www.Patreon.com/wyzguyradio  

GBC Ep. 23: MTP- Cat Butts, Monkey Poop, and Getting Fit         In this episode I sat down in the virtual studio at WyzGuy Media with Ben Barocas aka MTP and have a great conversation covering everything from his humble beginnings as a glass blower, where the inspiration for his Cat Butt series came from and the origins of his Artists tag MTP. You can find Ben on Instagram @mtpglass   If you would like to help support this podcast you can by joining our Patreon community for as little as $1.00 a month. If you would like to become one of the early founders you can do so for only $10.00 a month and gain access to exclusive video tutorials and a monthly coaching call with me. For more information check out or growing community at www.patreon.com/wyzguyradio _____________________________________________________________________________________   LEAVE A WRITTEN REVIEW ON ITUNES AND I'LL SEND YOU A "THANK YOU STICKER PACK" and give you a shoutout on the show!!!!   Here's How: Open up the iTunes Store. In the search box, type in the name of the podcast, show, movie, TV show, book, or app you'd like to review. Click on the correct item in the search results to be taken to its iTunes page. On the item's iTunes page, choose "Ratings and Reviews" from the top navigation. Click the button, "Write a Review." Write your review. Hit "Submit." Take a screen shot and send me an email wyzguymedia@gmail.com Please include your full name and address and ill send your Thank You gift on its way plus Ill give you a shoutout on an upcoming episode. :))       Upcoming Glass Events     Glass Vegas Expo- www.Glass.vegas  May 13-15th      

Episode 22-Steven Randolph: Helping High Risk Companies Succeed     In this episode I sit down in the virtual studio at WyzGuy Media with CEO of Aqua Payments, Steven Randolph. We discuss the issues a high risk business, like a Smoke Shop or Dispensary may face when it comes to receiving electronic payments. For many, loss of revenue and funds being confiscated by payment processing companies is a real issue. Whether you're a brick and mortar or an online business, being able to accept credit and debit cards as well as pay vendors is key to running a successful business.      Steven shares his insights and experience within this niche of high risk business plus he talks about why being honest about the type of  business that you run will save you from long term headaches.  If you are looking for a company to process your payments contact Steven and his team at Aqua Payments.* (Aqua payments is not affiliated or a sponsor of this podcast) www.aquapayments.com GoFund ME links to help out @saritaglass and @blazingheartproductions who both lost their homes in separate incidences to fire. TOGETHER WE CAN HELP. Go give them a follow on Instagram and donate what you can afford. Even just  $1.00 helps. -Sarah "Sarita" Hancock  DONATE  -Joaquin Herrara: Blazing Heart Productions DONATE ______________________________________________________________________ LEAVE A WRITTEN REVIEW ON ITUNES AND I'LL SEND YOU A "THANK YOU STICKER PACK" Here's How: Open up the iTunes Store. In the search box, type in the name of the podcast, show, movie, TV show, book, or app you'd like to review. Click on the correct item in the search results to be taken to its iTunes page. On the item's iTunes page, choose "Ratings and Reviews" from the top navigation. Click the button, "Write a Review." Write your review. Hit "Submit." Take a screen shot and send me an email wyzguymedia@gmail.com Please include your full name and address and ill send your Thank You gift on its way plus Ill give you a shoutout on an upcoming episode. :)) Upcoming Glass Events Glass Vegas Expo- www.Glass.vegas  May 13-15th      

Glass Blowers Companion Ep.22- Gina "BoOts" Gaffner: Finding Narrative Through Your Customers Bio: BoOTs was born on October 13th  in Green Bay, Wisconsin and started her glass career in Austin Texas in the fall of 2007. She has been refining her craft through experience and experimentations ever since. She finds inspiration in nature and daily life, with a heavy emphasis on clean fuel for our bodies. A person of dualities herself, Boots enjoys skirting the line between realism and stylized art with her work. She has enjoyed dedicating her time to teaching and fundraising with yearly events such as the Michigan Glass Project and Armadillo Art Glass Initiative, among others.  FInd BoOts on Instagram glassbyboots FInd me and the podcast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Other Instagram's @jmichaelglass, @jmichael_functionals JOIN THE PATREON COMMUNITYCome join the fun over at Patreon and Help Support the Show.By becoming a member you'll receive access to exclusive video tutorials, plus Monthly one on one coaching opportunities and virtual lessons with me. 

A Glass Blowers Companion Ep.21- Peter McPhillips: Pros and Cons of Social Media Groups Happy Fn New Year!!! For starters Welcome to the show if you are new to the show Hello and Welcome. 2020 was one hell of a year and I am excited for what 2021 has to bring. I hope you have evolved with the world as far as selling and marketing your work has gone. Current news • Mike Shelbo joins the collection of artists chosen for Season 2 of Blown Away airing now on Netflix. • Trade shows are going to be a thing again this year..hopefully…for now The first half of the year will feature: • CHAMPS kicks off 2021 with their first tradeshow being held in Orlando at the Gaylord Palms resort from March 9-11 The FAM (Functional Art Movement) will be co-hosting this years Glass Games which is themed GAME ON.. • Glass Vegas is back May 13-15th being help]d this year at Bally's Hotel and Casino. • Also check out mountain glass for updates on new product releases including new color and tools. Wholesalecentral.com click on the smoking products tab for dates and times for upcoming shows Stay tuned for further updates as the pipe community navigates the sea of tradeshows during this crazy pandemic

GBC Ep. 20- Quinn: Create, Hustle, and Save for the Future "Quinn is a glassblower from Asheville, NC.  He has worked in nearly every aspect of the industry, from collector, to distribution, to managing a retail store.  Quinn works mainly with frit, using it as a basis for both production work and the occasional heady. " Find Quinn on Instagram @TLKQ Have any questions or just wanna say HELLO? find me on Instagram @jmichaelglass or @Glassblowerscompanion or EMAIL WANNA JOIN A DRAMA FREE GROUP OF GLASS ARTISTS AND GAIN ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE CONTENT PLUS ONE-ON-ONE COACHING AND LESSONS????  COME JOIN THE FUN ON PATREON... JOIN TODAY

A Glass Blowers Companion: Best of the Worst Studio Injuries VOl 1.  REMASTERED       In celebration of Halloween it's that time of year again to share to highlights of the stories, told by the artists, describing their horrific injuries of blood, burns, and mutilation. We are pleased to share these tales in hopes to remind you to always pay attention. Artists featured in this episode: -Rashan Jones, Lurch,  Boxfan Willy,  Joe Skar,  Lewis Wilson,  Mongo, and Bob Harley Dog Vol.II REMASTERED will be available soon and the the Premier of Vol. III      Stay tuned till next year when we bring you the traumatizing reflections of punctures, burns, and lacerations.      Until then.....HAPPY MELTING  www.wyzguymedia.com/podcast contact wyzguymedia@gmail.com FInd me on social media Instagram twitter facebook Music credit https://youtu.be/73_RJpB4DMQ  

A Glass Blowers Companion Ep.18-Madeline Rile Smith      This episode features the talented Madeline Rile Smithwho's current focus is creating glass musical instruments that push the boundries of human comfortability. Merging the scientific glass blowing with creative instrument making, Madeline's has created a body of work that creates a intimate experience between glass instruments and the musicians who play them.  Find Madeline on Instagram @madhotglass Artist's Bio-Madeline Rile Smith is an American artist working in glass, specializing in flameworking and performance. She earned an MFA in glass at Rochester Institute of Technology, and a BFA in glass from Tyler School of Art. Madeline draws upon her musical background to create glass musical instruments which explore physical connection between players. She utilizes hot glass as a performative medium to consider notions of intimacy and compromise. Madeline started working with glass in 2007 as a high school student. At the time she was a dedicated musician, planning to become a professional violist. But her passion for glass took over and she decided to devote her life to glass art. Madeline's sculptural glass work has been exhibited in venues throughout the US and featured in New Glass Review 41 and 35. She has instructed glassworking in schools and institutions throughout the east coast, including Salem Community College, UrbanGlass, The Crefeld School, and Rochester Institute of Technology. Support the show via Patreon  Follow us on the socials: Instagram Twitter Facebook

GBC Ep17:Robert Mickelsen- From Fine Art to Degenerate Art This is a conversation  that I've wanted to have for years. For myself personally, Robert Mickelsen has been a major influence in my glass work with his refined details and proportions. With 45 years of dedication to this wonderful medium of glass, Mickelsen has a ton of knowledge to share while also understanding he still has a wealth of knowledge to gain.  Hope you enjoy this conversation and if you have any questions for Robert you can reach out to him on Instagram @ramickelsen   Other links referred to in the episode: - Robert's Bio: Born Dec.12, 1951. Grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and attended high school at Punahou (same school as Barack Obama, just ten years earlier). I went to Humboldt State University in Arcata, Ca for one year but dropped out. Started blowing glass in Greeley, Colorado in 1974. Moved to Florida in 1977 and continued glass selling my wares at street craft shows and flea markets. I made my living on the street exclusively until 1989 when I switched to wholesale craft shows. It was also around this time that I took a class at Penland with Paul Stankard that opened my eyes for the first time to the artistic potential of my craft. My work blossomed after that. I began my teaching career at Pilchuck in 1994 where I was deeply influenced by the artists that I met including Dante Marioni and Bill Morris. I continued doing wholesale craft shows, indoor art shows, and teaching for the next ten years. During that time I had several solo shows at prominent glass art galleries and attended SOFA in Chicago numerous times represented by several different galleries. I stopped doing wholesale shows in 2001 and shifted my focus to selling exclusively through high-end art galleries. This lasted until the great recession of 2008 when I found myself in a crisis when all my galleries closed and shows dried up. I struggled for about four years until 2012 when I was introduced to pipe-making by Salt and Kevin Ivey. I experienced a rebirth and a newfound enthusiasm for glass. The rest you already know.  I am proud to have my work included in some of the most prominent museum collections including Renwick Gallery of American Crafts at the Smithsonian Institution, the Corning Museum of Glass, The Toledo Museum of Art, The Museum of Arts and Design, The Carnegie Museum of Art, The Mint Museum, The Cleveland Museum of Art, and The Museum of American Glass at Wheaton Village. 

WyzGuy Minute Ep.14- Why and How You Can Stay Hydrated in the Glass Studio Throughout the day as the outside temps rise, so does the temp inside your studio. As this happens your body temperature rises and you may begin to notice that you feel a bit foggy, your focus is lacking, and your eyes are burning from the salty sweat dripping in them.   These are a few physical signs that you need be aware of if you want to have a safe, productive day in the studio during the heat of the summer. If you continue to push yourself without proper rehydration your body can begin experiencing heat exhaustion. This increased heat production can result in an increase in body temperature, which above a certain temperature, can be difficult to control. Therefore, it is important to develop ways to cool down the body to help maintain core temperature and reduce the negative effects of thermal stress. For more info check out the resources in the links below. https://www.livescience.com/38553-staying-hydrated-in-the-heat.html https://www.ehstoday.com/archive/article/21904138/construction-supplement-hydration-keeping-workers-cool-and-comfortable OSHA-NIOSH Infosheet: Protecting Workers from Heat Illness NIOSH Fast Facts: Protecting Yourself from Heat Stress NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic: Heat Stress NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments  

My apologies for uploading the original file that was unfinished. When Hannah and I recorded I didn't realize the audio levels for my mic were turned down so low. It was quite the challenge to fix the issue and I'm still not 100% satisfied. However I felt the quality of the conversation was too good to redo so I hope you can bare with me and get through the entirety of the episode. Thank you for listening.   This episode features the talented Hannah Gibson who is a glass artist based out of the UK BIO: Whilst studying Geology at the University of Edinburgh Hannah became fascinated by the mineralogy and the reactions between various elements, metals and compounds. This led her towards a passion for the alchemy of glass.  Capturing the nostalgic imagery of childhood, exposing hidden narratives, through cast sculptural glass stands at the core of Hannah's work.  Passionate about sustainability and recycling, using only 100% recycled glass, and found objects. Sweet Nothings are a series of individual, unique Cast Glass figures. Usually found in pairs, whispering ‘Sweet Nothings' to one another. What are they whispering?  ‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot. Nothing is going to get better. It's not.' (Dr Seuss, The Lorax).  Hannah Gibson BSc Geology  and MA Glass _____________________________________________________________________ Supported by the Following: Mountain Glass Arts- Use the link and stay up to date by signingup for their newsletter by visiting www.mountainglassarts.com Listeners Like You- Help support the show by becoming a WyzA$$ over at www.patreon.com/wyzguyradio. Becpome a member and gain access to tutorial video series, one on one access to me for any of your glass nedds, pus much more. 

Glass Blowers Companion Ep.15- Rashan Jones: Black Lives Matter, Even in the Glass Industry For starters Happy 5th Anniversary to the show!!! Now to what really matters. This has to be the single most important conversation Ive had on this show. Rashan returns to share his experiences as a black man working within the glass industry. We cover a lot and really hope you take away all the positive for our conversation. Right now we are at a crucial point in our society where we all need to come together and stand up for what is right and stand together against what is wrong. We all see things a little differently and as humans we can come together and have positive, healthy conversations about these topics and how we can work together to bring change to the world. You can find Rashan out there in the social media world on Instagram @jonesofig or Facebook just search for Rashan Jones. you can reach me on instagram @jmichaelglass or @glassblowerscompanion. Lets continue this conversation! Thank you to our sponsors Mountain Glass Arts. For up to date sales and info go online and check them out and also give them a follow on instagram @mountainglass

Welcome to A Glass Blowers Companion episode 14 featuring Blossom Knight whom is the Season 3 Session 1 winner and will go on to compete for the prize of Grand Champion against the winner of session 2 and 3.  You can find Blosom on instagram @blossom_glass and The T.O.F. @tournament_of_fire. Thanks for listening and any questions or comments feel free to contact me at wyzguymedia@gmail.com  or Instagram @glassblowerscompanion and @jmichaelglass  -Jason Michael Thank You to Mountain Glass Arts for their sponsorship. Check them out online for updated sales at www.mountainglass.com or on Instagram @mountainglassarts

A Glass Blowers Companion Ep.13- Scoz This weeks episode features the return of Scott Tribble aka Scoz whom has been a glass artist for the last 20-years. He is best known for his style of functional Dragon sculptures but has recently found a love for painting abstract art. He shares his personal struggles that he felt kept him from reaching his fullest potential with EGO being the culprit. This was a great conversation and hope you enjoy too. You can find Scott on the interwebs via Instagram @scozglass.     Sponsors: Mountain Glass Arts- They are currently running weekly sales instead of monthly so make sure you have signed up for their newsletter for updates. You can also stay up to date with Mountain Glass online or on IG @mountainglassarts  contact Jason : email Links mentioned In the episode:  Follow WyzGuy Media on Youtube My personal IG   My functional art IG Other podcasts produced by WyzGuy Media: Fyeah! Disney IG       

GBC Ep. 12- Eli Mazet: The American Shot Glass and the Glass Machine     Jason and Eli start the episode off chatting about the current events(akaCovid-19) going on around the world and ways they are managing their time. They also share some ideas on how you can use Live Streams to your advantage. Then the meat and potatoes of the show Eli shares insights into his new book The American Shot Glass and The Glass Machine which is available through Eli. You can find him on Instagram @elimazet or use this link to purchase. Contact Jason via email wyzguymedia@gmail.com or on instagram @jmichaelglass @glassblowerscompanion  Listen to FYEAH! Disney @fyeah_disney

EPISODE 13- WHY YOU NEED TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY FUND      So far in this series "Getting your Financial House in Order", we've discussed establishing a budget for your business and personal life and how to figure out baseline costs of goods you are producing. Now that you are beginning to create a different mindset when it comes to how you run your business its time to start thinking about putting money aside into an emergency fund for both your business and personal life. DOWNLOADABLE PDF      Small businesses can experience seasonal  down turns that they have to be prepared for  and one way they prepare is by creating a "squirrel fund".  Like the squirrel, a business has to set aside and save up funds in order to survive the slow times of the year. Like the squirrel who stores nuts away for the winter , we need to take on this similar approach and be prepared for the slow periods in our business or worse case we become ill or injured and are unable to work at all.       If the body is injured it is unable to perform at its highest ability hindering the artist from being productive and losing the ability to create their income.  Has this ever happened to you? Have you cut or burnt yourself so badly that you were unable to use your hands for more then a day? I have!! About 10-years ago while working late one night, trying to wrap up an order of inside out hand pipes. Instead of being in bed there I was, groggy, exhausted from the long hot day in the studio and lacking the focus that I had when the day started. As I finished laying the last few lines of stringers inside a section of tubing ,I heard a crack in the glass and before I knew it the section of tubing fell off of the blowpipe in my left hand exposing my naked fingers to 4000 degrees of unforgiving fire. The flame made a direct hit across the three middle fingers on my left hand with pointer and middle finger receiving most of the blow. My nail beds were severely damaged as were the first knuckles just below my nails. The became the most severe burn and injury I had received in the first 10-years of my glass career and still the worse to this day. Fortunately I had just finished a large commission that had allowed me to put a little extra cushion in my bank account and if it wasn't for that I would have been screwed. I spent the next few weeks doing very little work allowing my fingers to rest and heal only because of the  financial luck I had on my side.  I was able to pay bills and survive. After 3-months my fingers were back to about 90% and so was my production speed.       This brings us to the importance of the emergency fund. The emergency fund isn't just there for the business to survive. It is also to help continuing to paying your personal expenses  while out of work..      Ideally you want to have a personal emergency fund of at least 3- months of expenses(food, water, shelter, etc) which by keeping a budget you can then see exactly how much you should have set aside to cover the essentials.  If you currently do not have anything put aside for emergencies then what do you do?   This episode isn't about solving that problem. My goal is to help you get proactive and understand how simple this can be as long as you are managing your finances like the CEO we talked about in the previous episodes. If you know how much it costs to run you studio then you should know how many pipes you need to sell monthly to be able to not only cover your studio costs, but also pay your business back the expenses in material that were spent to manufacture the items , pay yourself a little salary or piece work as well as have some left over that can be allocated towards an emergency fund.      When it comes to paying yourself you would know how much you need to make if you figured out your personal expenses and how much extra you would need to pay yourself so your not just making ends meet but also having leftovers for your emergency fund and living the lifestyle you want to live. Now this isn't just going to happen over night. This will take some time if you haven't started yet but all you have to do is start. Start with the personal budget first. Then once you've figured that out figure out your studio budget. Once you have that done then  figure out your baseline costs to manufacture everything you create and then, only then can you truly be able to start putting funds away for that necessary squirrel fund.  So lets figure out how to do just that. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact Wyzguymedia@gmail.comwww.wyzguymedia.com  INSTAGRAM @jmichaelglass @glassblowerscompanion SPONSORS WWW.PATREON.COM/WYZGUYRADIO WWW.MOUNTAINGLASS.COM  

Best of Featuring Kevin Beacher  Bio: Kevin was born In 1976 and has been blowing glass for close to 23 years. He learned the basics of lampworking in  Arcata, California before returning to Pennsylvania and continued to learn this art on his own.  FInd out more about Kevin in his interview. Follow Breaking Glass Podcast on Youtube follow  Instagram @breaking_glass_podcast  find Kevin on Instagram @kevinbeecherglass  Josh Mazet @cone12flat  Follow the entire MELT team while you're at it:  Paul Katherman @paullietwofingers  Josh Mazet @cone12flat  Todd Dunlap @tdunlapglass  Shawn Gold @count.de.monet  East Coast Melt       Come spend five days at Independent Lake Camp in Northeastern PA on September 7th - 11th, 2020, surrounded with like-minded people. Not only will you get to see some of the best glassblowing in the country, but you'll also have access to as much torch time as you can handle. Learn from established artists through glass demonstrations and informative seminars. Come with a group and stay in one of the summer camp style cabins on site--complete with full baths and electricity. When you wake up, our kitchen staff will be prepared to provide you with three square meals a day, as well as late-night snacks. We will keep you fed, as you will need your energy to handle the many activities available at this camp. Including, but not limited to, a skate park, BMX track, paddle boats, canoeing and kayaking. To cap off each night, enjoy DJs throughout the week in the torch tent area. Be prepared for a couple great bands on Friday night and a spectacular fireworks display. Think of it as a summer camp for glass blowers. It's going to be the experience of a lifetime.  for more info about MELT goto www.eastcoastmelt.com          

WGM Ep. 12: How to calculate baseline cost of goods and why In the previous episode I discussed the importance of setting a budget not Only for your personal finances but also for your business.  I really hope you take this information seriously as a business owner and creative.  The functional glass or pipe industry is going to eventually come into a territory where corporations might become the front runners of success when it comes to the American glass pipe.  Whether you've been a glass artist for a year or 20 if you haven't started taking your business seriously now Is the time. print out and follow along  downloadable blank form for you to fill out   We need to think like a big business whether or not you are. All to often artists get stuck in the mindset that being a corporation has a negative connotation, but the reality is if you don't change this mind set, one day in the near future you could be out of a job or even begin working for a bigger glass studio that has taken themselves seriously and has found success as a corporation.  If you want to survive as a business then you need to change your mindset and daily habits and start thinking and acting like the CEO of your company. It's the CEO Mindset that will Make Your Business Grow According to Entepreneur.com, "By thinking with this mindset from the get-go, and ensuring it's at the heart of all the business activities, other people will view you differently. Even if it's just you sitting around your kitchen table with a laptop, the outside world–including clients, suppliers and potential investors–don't have to know this if you have an attitude and philosophy that screams ‘CEO'." When figuring baseline costs you will need to repeat this process for each item you're creating. This will give you a clear picture of what each item you produce costs, the time it will take to complete an order and the overall profits associated with your orders.  This might sound a bit confusing but bare with me… there's a link in the show notes that you can download and print so you can follow along at home and use for reference.  Plus a separate form that is downloadable too for your use to find your own baseline costs. So lets begin with a single basic item that a lot of us has made and are still making. A 3" wrap and rake spoon or hand pipe. Now when it comes to figuring out material costs this is how I do it. Go to www.mountainglass.com and use their online catalog to figure out material costs. You'll see that this is a great reference point since they have already done all the work and broken each item of raw material down to costs/piece or gram depending on the material. Don't forget to estimate a small amount for shipping costs too. If a 48" tube  of 32x4mm of pyrex costs $8.00 that means it costs $0.17/inch. In this example to create a 3" single color wrap spoon I would use a 2"section pulled into a point . Whether you use a blowpipe or pull a point there will be an extra cost from that material being used. So consider the point handle being created from 1/2" of the 32mm. So the point being used is 2.5" at a cost ($0.43)  And you would be able to pull approx. 19 points from one tube of 32mm. Color used is approx.  1" or 10grams. An average 18" rod weighs ……. Now you need to do a time test to get a good approximation of how long it takes to make 3-or 1 item. The reason I say 3 is the first one is the warm up  the second is at full speed as is the third. For me a 3" wrap spoon takes approx. 15-minutes which includes the time to pull the point. Keep a notebook of all your times and estimates to refer back to. This will help you stay organized and then you can see progression when you recalculate these estimates annually which I recommend. Now that you have some general estimates for 1- item you will want to repeat this process for each item you create. When you do this I also recommend that you keep one of each item as a sample and with a marker write SAMPLE on the pipe or whatever the item is you are creating. You will also need to figure out how much you are spending on oxygen, propane, power, etc. to really figure out the costs per item. If you are renting space that is all inclusive then this can be a little easier to calculate. If you don't just go through your invoices or if you've done your budget use those numbers. If you spend 150.00 a month on oxygen and 75.00 on propane then add those totals and divide by 30 to figure out how much you spend daily. So as you can see if you treat your business like a business you pay the business first, then the government, then yourself and whatever is left over can then be allocated to a savings account for retained earnings. With this you can break it down even further and save a small percentage for your emergency fund in case you are injured and cannot work.   If you have taken the time to figure out both your personal and business expenses then you will have a clear picture of how much you need to have saved in emergency fund for both the business and your personal life. The business emergency fund is there to cover the costs of rent and other overhead expenses that will keep your doors open. The emergency fund for your personal is there to cover your bills and other personal expenses. If you take the time to figure out all of these expenses then you can have a clear mind knowing how much is coming in and going out and wont have to worry about how you will pay the next power bill. You can also use these calculations to begin scaling your business by bringing on an assistant or apprentice to begin helping you make some of the basic production items that you create and know how much you are able to afford to pay in piece work.   For example with the 3" pipe if you were to pay yourself $5.00 each then instead you can pay help $4.00 each and that artist can still make $16.00/hour.  Take all of this to heart and put it into action You will be ahead of the majority of the artists in the industry and grow your company bigger then you ever dreamed possible      

Glass Blowers Companion Ep.10- Chris Piazza:  Best Practices for Successfully Selling in Facebook Groups      Welcome to A Glass Blowers Companion where my goal is to help you start thinking like the CEO of your glass company by helping change your mindset about how you manage the your business. This episode features Chris Piazza, @krispysglass on Instagram, where he shares tips and tricks for successfully selling your work in Facebook groups. Here is the link to the secret group if you'd like to join and start diversifying your sales! Come join the fun and diversify your sales revenue streams                            Glassblowers to Store Owners Contact Jason@  wyzguymedia@gmail.com Instagram @jmichaelglass @glassblowerscompanion ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Support the ShowJoin the community and help support the podcast for as little as $1.00/month www.patreon.com/wyzguyradio SPONSORSMountain Glass Arts SALES PAGE Glass Vegas Expo Glass.vegas        

WGM Ep. 11: GETTING YOUR FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER BY CREATING A BUDGETAs artists it's not always easy to change the way we think when it comes to financial topics like salaries, budgets, profit and loss statements, inventory, or sales.  My goal is to help you to start thinking, if you haven't already, like a CEO.   As a small business owner you have to wear a bunch of different hats which is not only exhausting but can be overwhelming. Link to worksheet  Over the course of the first quarter of 2020,  I will be breaking down each area of our business  such as  base line calculations, taxes and saving for a personal and business emergency fund. I want to help you change your mindset in regards to these areas.   In this episode we will begin this process by talking about the one word we all Dislike but all know the importance  BUDGET.  By creating a budget as John Maxwell says :"A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went."  Instead of making an order, selling the order, then spending the money or paying a bill or debt, you must learn to take the revenue earned from said order and immediately begin the allocation process of where it is going. We all have our personal bills, business expenses, and entertainment costs.  The only way you will be able to turn your business into a profitable one is by not only changing how you think about money but also by creating and implementing systems to manage the money. *** Remember first and foremost that when you receive payment for goods and services the business is to receive the money. If you pull any money out of this revenue you will do yourself a disservice. I remember the days of driving to a shop completely broke in hopes that the shop would buy everything or at least buy enough to allow me to put gas in my car, some food in my belly, and hopefully buy more oxygen to keep the ball rolling.  This struggle is real and if you continue to think on a day to day basis this struggle will continue. If you begin to change your financial habits not only will you grow your business faster you will also grow confidence in yourself as a business owner.  There's nothing worse for your creative spirit the standing behind your torch wondering how your going to pay a certain bill or worrying about your house getting foreclosed. *** Even though this is an audio format it'll much easier for you to visualize what I'm about to talk about if you use the link provided in the show notes and follow along at home. This is going to be an example budget but in the end you need to go through the motions of this process so you can then take the time to sit down and focus for an hour or so and calculate your own budget. Generally a budget takes 90-days to really fine tune it as expenses you may not have remembered come up or you have an area of importance like new tires for your car that might be an every couple of years issue but happen to rear its ugly head during the beginning phase of establishing your budget.   Estimated personal expenses. Write this dowen in the second column  thunk of all the areas that you spend money outside of the studio Rent/mrtg Car payment Car insurance Groceries Dining Misc entertainment Utilities Car repair Car fuel Clothing Child support Vacation Misc This will give you a clear view of your personal expenses and its important to see where your money is going. By having control of a budget you can then save in areas like vacation or those new tires for your car. Dave Ramsey refers to what is called a Zero based budget where you take your estimated monthly income and put it into catagories until you a 0.00 balance  so if you bring in 2k a month after your business expeses and taxes then you need to allocate where that 2k is going.  This will also give you a clear pictuee if you are even brining in enough income through the sales of glass and if not maybe you should conscidere getting a partime job in the meantime until your business consistanly brings in enough revenue to sustain the business and your personal budget. Now in the area for income write down your estimated income based on last years sales. Now if you don't have a number what you need to do is add up your total estimated business expense and times that by "3" to calculate a generic number of what you should set a your goal for that months total revenue.  If your expenses totals $500.00/month then you should shoot for $1500.00/month. That way your business expenses are covered leaving you $1000.00/month to be allocated to areas like your taxes, salary and retained earnings.(these 3-areas are of importance as well and will be discussed further in future episodes) Out of the $1000.00, which would be considered profit,  take 15-25% out and stick that into a separate savings account to later be used for your quarterly estimates. The remaining balance of $750.00 will then be paid to yourself in form of a salary.  Now obviously the more revenue generated the more business expense you will have but this will also give you the ability to pay yourself more. That being said if your personal bills total $1000.00/month and your paying yourself $2000.00/month you may want to think about cutting your salary back a little to then be used as retained earnings for the company.  The budget forms include savings for the business and for your personal.   By taking all of this into consideration and truly beginning the process of how you think in terms of how money can work for you, not only will you grow your profits, you will grow your financial IQ and have a drive to want to learn more about accounting and marketing.  The BEST way you can improve how you manage the expenses in your business and personal life is having everything on paper in front of you on a daily basis. This will help you begin to create DAILY financial habits that will resonate for the rest of your life allowing you to setup retirement funds, live the lifestyle you want to live and grow to your fullest potential as an artistic entrepreneur.  Start TODAY and  get out of your own way. Establish good habits, stay out of debt and financially have the ability to change the world.   

Ep. 9- Canadian Glass Artist Gibson: Build it and they will come  Welcome to A Glass Blowers Companion, where my goal is to help you become a well-rounded Glass Artist through the successes and failures of some of the top artists In the Art Glass Industry. This episode features the talented Gibson, from Gibson Glassworks, whom has an outside of the box approach when it comes to not only his style but how he approaches his business.  His philosophy of " If you build it they will come." Is how he was able to create a glass scene in his area that at one point was non-existent.     Gibson also shares some insights into how he was able to create a successful production line that DOES NOT require him to make the same piece over and over again. Something that many artists would like to be able do. He has found a way to create a specific style within his work that allows his glass to stand out amongst the masses. He considers himself to be a shaper and not a prepper when it comes to collaborations with other artists. Gibson has also been instrumental into helping organize The Great Canadian Glass Event which brings together Glass pipe artists of all level of skill together once a year for a large event. Recently he was invited to visit Scotland where he attended the second annual Scotland Glass Games and not only did he just make an appearance but also helped to setup a version of a Glass Olympics game that wound up being a huge hit amongst the artists.   Visit Gibson on Instagram @gibsonglassworks or his website where you'll find an array of glass and other merch representing his style at www.gibsonglassworks.com  Gibson's bio: I started melting glass in 2004 when I was 18 and haven't stopped since! The interest turned into an addiction and a love for the fire and molten glass and endless possibilities, nothing stopping me from creating whatever I please.  In the beginning I got to stand and watch one of my first glass mentors in his studio, paying hourly of course. I soaked up the information and then attempted the impossible once I got back to my "studio" in the forest.  My studio first consisted of a makeshift bench over the sink in an old camper on the back of my dad's property. I couldn't stand up, but I could melt glass and it was on!  Over the years I have built many glass workshops, some mobile some temporary, some still there today.  I have had the chance to work with many other talented artists collaborating to create amazing pieces that incorporate both of our styles.  I have taken on several students, taught private classes, done public demos, and also have had a couple apprentices. These are things that I really enjoy doing and hope to do more of.  Each piece I make is different but distinctly recognizable as a Gibson Original. Get yours today!  _____________________________________________________________________ Sponsors Patreon Members. .To gain access for as little as $1.00 a month sign up at www.patreon.com/wyzguyradio Mountain Glass Artssales at Mountain Glass Arts GlassVegas Expoinformation    

Episode 8- Eli Mazet and Pipetown USA This week I return with a conversation featuring Eli Mazet. He last appeared on Episode 177 where he shared his project The American Shot glass ..... This time around he teams up with Joaquín of @blazingheartproductions to create this inside look into how Eugene,Oregon became Ground Zero for the birth of the Pope Scene in the American culture.  I hope you enjoy this chat and please go follow the artists and everyone else involved in this project  Pipe Town USA is funded by @lefrancisstudios & @elimazet | Story idea by Eli, & @nezua | Shot, Directed, Edited by @blazingheartproductions | Starring Eli Mazet, @cone12flat, @lefrancisstudios, @bobsnodgrass1946, @jerome_baker, @delleneperalta, @hbombglass, @mphilpot1, @hammswaterworks, @kalebfolckglass, @coolhandsuuze, @emperial1, @julieriggsglass, @sethsims33 and more.... #pipetownusa #pipetown #glass #glassblowing #glassofig #glassblower #glasslife #glassfam #glassart #torch #torchlife #torchgang #eugeneoregon #indiefilmmaker #indiefilm #independentfilm #independentfilmmaker #videoproduction #videoedits #blazingheartproductions #hamm #jeromebaker #mazetglass #cinematography #cinematographer #borosilicate #boro #lampworking

Episode 204: Selling Your work during the holidays   Show Sponsors Mountainglass Arts   theflowmagazine.com USE PROMO CODE "WYZGUY" FOR 10% OFF YOUR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION   ______________________________________________________ Connect with me on social media: Instagram @wyzguy_radio and @jmichaelglass            This is the time to begin gearing up for the holiday rush . As we all know time disappears even faster this time of year between the studio time, holiday parties, family get-togethers and trying to find sleep amongst the chaos. Ideally if you are able to continue the momentum created throughout the year, the holidays can be highly successful. giving you the opportunity to add new items to an already large catalog. Try new ideas for items such an annual limited edition series or item. Personally I make and sell a limited edition ornament. Platforms like Etsy and BigCartel are a great place to sell and promote these items. Each platform has its own algorithm helping you promote yourself as an artist. They are flooded with a sea of others but with persistence and time dedicated to this process as well as consistancy you can find success. Social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram allow you to promote the items you are focused on selling during the holidays.      If you are selling different items you can showcase them individually throughout the weeks as well as promote the sales giving your tribe an advanced notice. Another important idea is to think of supply and demand or scarcity of your item. Let your tribe know that you are only making 20 or 50 of a specific item and that they are numbered and dated and signed. This adds to the hype and the need for your tribe to own your limited edition items. Remember if you do go this route that you have to stay true to your word and if you say you are only Making 20 of said item then you have to stick to that number. The item can change and vary over the years and seasons to keep this item a consistent collectors edition item and keep the scarcity mindset associated with it which will drive your tribe to feel the need to buy it now since they'll never be able to get that item again. This is why it is so important to stay up with your social media and stay consistent with your word and posts......      Here's a few tips when it comes to selling wholesale orders to your retailers: [ ] Shops are busy [ ] Visit or call in advance to see what the shop needs. Not wants. Make an appointment and hold shop to it [ ] Always make a few extra items that you want to sell [ ] Think retail 20-50.00 stocking stuffers. [ ] Put together a Christmas or holiday pack. Stockings with goodies [ ] Follow up before going to confirm appointment made [ ] Platforms to sell retail * Etsy * Shopify * Bigcartel * Social feeds These are just a few of the popular platforms of selling your work in a retail level. Most of these won't allow functional art so take advantage of this and make other items that still show your work and artistic expression as well as the ability to expose yourself to a different community that loves art and supporting the arts. links talked about in episode: http://www.rushimprint.com/custom-lighters.html

A Glass Blowers Companion: Best of the Worst Studio Injuries VOl 1&2       In celebration of Halloween it's that time of year again to share to highlights of the stories, told by the artists, describing their horrific injuries of blood, burns, and mutilation. We are pleased to share these tales in hopes to remind you to always pay attention.      Stay tuned till next year when we bring you the traumatizing reflections of punctures, burns, and lacerations.      Until then.....HAPPY MELTING  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SPONSORS Listeners like You join our Patreon community and help support the show for as little as $1.00 a month MOUNTAIN GLASS ARTS SALES THE FLOW MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBE TODAY (USE PROMO CODE wyzguy for 10% off Your Annual Subscription)

GBC Ep.7: Lawyer Luke Zimmerman esq. Returns   " Trademark infringement is the unauthorized use of a trademark or service mark (or a substantially similar mark) on competing or related goods and services. The success of a lawsuit to stop the infringement turns on whether the defendant's use causes a likelihood of confusion in the average consumer. " definition link     This week is one to pay attention to and even take some notes. As the cannabis laws begin to change internationally it opens the door for glass artists to walk through and in some cases take advantage by now being able to protect your works of art.      Luke shares the important upodates in both Trademark and Copyright laws that are asscoaited to the cannasbis industry. Whether you're a glass artist or not this information is fascinating to hear and discuss.      If your need any legal advise pertaining to your business make sure to seek out a lawyer in your area. Protect yourself because ignorance is not always bliss.    To contact Attorney Luke Zimmerman esq. You can visit his website by using the link below. link:https://lawofficelsz.com/   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS MOUNTAIN GLASS ARTS: SALES PAGE https://www.mountainglass.com/sale   THE FLOW MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBE USE PROMO CODE "wyzguy" AT CHECKOUT TO SAVE 10% OFF AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

A Glass Blowers Companion Episode 5: Mike and I have a great chat catching up on what he has been up to since his last visit on Episode 120 where Mike shared his journey and humble beginnings. He is known for his stylized glass dragons but also the consistent, refined work that he creates.  We talk about how he's changed his process regarding the time he puts into the work as well as his experiments with the large color pallet that the borosilicate glass community now has.   Also recently I was a guest on another podcast Glass Chat Episode 62 where the tables were turned and questions were thrown my way.  if you've ever wanted some in depth insights into my glass journey this is highly recommended.  Thanks again for listening and if you would like to help support the show please leave me a review on the apple podcast app or whatever podcast app you use. You can also join the community on Patreon and support the show for as little as $1.00 a month where you'll receive exclusive content only available to the Patreon Supporters.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------- sponsors -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mountain Glass Arts Sales Page The Flow Magazine Subscribe ----------------------------------------------------------

Episode 4 with Joaquín Herrera, director and co-producer of “Pipe Town USA” coming soon!!!!! Give him and myself a follow to stay up to date with @ #PipetownUSA funded by @lefrancisstudios & @elimazet | Story idea by Eli, & @nezua | Shot, Directed, Edited by @blazingheartproductions | Starring Eli Mazet, @cone12flat, financed by @lefrancisstudios, @bobsnodgrass1946, @jerome_baker, @delleneperalta, @hbombglass, @mphilpot1, @hammswaterworks, @kalebfolckglass, @coolhandsuuze, @emperial1, @julieriggsglass, @sethsims33 and more....

Welcome to: A Glassblowers Companion- Episode 3.  This episode features highlights from two separate interviews featuring Attorney Luke Zimmerman esq. The first half mainly focuses on cannabis laws and IP ( intellectual property) and the second half focuses more on trademark and copyright laws. He will be returning for a third time updating us on current changes in caping and cannabis laws.  You can find Luke online at https://lawofficelsz.com/  or on Instagram @esquirellm .   Find us on Instagram at @glassblowerscompanion Or my personal @jmichaelglass   Support the show and join our community on Patreon at www.patreon.com/wyzguyradio   Our other podcasts : F Yeah! Disney : F Yeah! Disney One Little Spice :  Episode featuring an interview with Jason Michael (get to know about his career as a glass artist for The Arribas Brothers at Walt Disney World and why he loves Disney so much)      

GBC Ep. 2 : Jon “Shaggy” Boley- The Michael Phelps of Functional Art       Today we discuss Shaggy's art career not only as a glass artist but also other mediums.   Shaggy won Season 2's Grand Master Finals in "The Tournament of Fire" held by our friends @cherryglass.  We have a great discussion about how he approaches his work, evolves through series and the importance of growth in any medium of art.    He also discusses how he has been able to fund some of his ventures through sponsors and much more. @glassartbyshaggy Bio:42 years old. Musician, painter, jewler,sculptor, lampworker. 25 years lampworking. 26 competition awards. 15 from champs glass games. Living in southern Oregon for 20 years. Specializing in sculptural work.  Join our Patreon group and help support the show www.patreon.com/wyzguyradio  Check out my other podcast F Yeah! Disney Blown Away links  https://www.cmog.org/event/winner-blown-away-guest-artist-demonstration  Roberto Beltrami   @wavemurano     https://www.wavemuranoglass.com/   Submission form for The Flow Magazine Women's Edition Support our Sponsors  Subscribe to The Flow Magazine (use code: WYZGUY for 10% off annual subscription) https://www.theflowmagazine.com/subscriptions.html  Mountain Glass Saleshttps://www.mountainglass.com/sale  

The Flow magazine is offering all new webinar recordings and instructional videos bringing you hours of excitement and education to your own home or studio! Popular flameworking artists share techniques that will help you expand your skills and grow as an artist. use the link in the show notes to check out the entire selection and start amplifying your art today!    plus for all you lady glass artists  Dont forget The Flow Magazine's 15th Annual Women in Glass Issue is coming soon and they are cuurently accepting submissions to be included in this years crystal anniversary issue   Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of this exciting issue   Deadline September 1, 2019 Gallery entries and tutorials are welcomed. We look forward to hearing from you!   Please e-mail 3 to 5 high-resolution digital images of your glass art that are at least 300 dpi along with a completed Submission Form to theflow.maureen@gmail.com The Flow Submission Form The Flow Interactive Submission Form Submission Information Mountain Glass Aug.2019 Sales https://www.mountainglass.com/sale --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Four Phases of Artistic Creation for the Glass Artist       Here is a simple question I have for you. Are you able to draw a sketch or thumbnail to help get the thoughts out of your head and onto paper?   The idea is to have the ability to engineer your art on paper first to work out the details and to think about the moves you will make to successfully get from point A-point Z. This will be the starting point in the creative process as you begin this journey of manifesting thoughts into reality.    Phase 1-The Thumbnail Sketch      This is the first phase of 4-phases that I feel will help simplify and guide you through the creative process. Now this isn't for everyone but In my opinion, if one is having difficulty coming up with ideas or simply feeling a mental block, this path will help alleviate some of the aggravation and heartbreak that can come with artistic discovery. Some may argue that to become a better artist, as well as finding your voice through your work, it is necessary to experience the heartbreak. However a favorite quote of mine, to paraphrase is "....The wise man learns from the mistakes of others...."   Throughout my art journey I have learned from trial and error as well as from the mistakes of others. In college I received formal 2-D art training but regarding glass, its been about 85% trial and error.  This is why this episode in my opinion is so important to take to heart with the hope to save you from years of frustration and anguish from the mistakes I've made and discoveries learned from along the way.     Phase 2-The Glass Sketch        When trying to figure out a direction to go this tends to be the most affordable  way to experiment with your thumbnail sketches you've created. With any new item, creating something in clear will shed some light on the right direction that you want to go. One of the benefits of creating your "glass sketches" in clear is you can rapidly cool these items, giving you a chance to hold them and study the piece  from all directions. This will allow you to get a handle on the areas that you may need to adjust and change for better comfort and function. As the whole cliché goes.. "sometimes it Looks better on paper" can hold true for an idea that might be just out of your range of experience and technique. This doesn't mean give up, it just means that you will have to make adjustments, finding a way to make it function within your means.  Once you have fine-tuned your new item through adjustments and trial and error you now have a 3-D reference to study. If needed you can go back to your drawing board per se and fine-tune the work on paper again before getting Phase three, the dress rehearsal.    Phase 3- The Dress Rehearsal        This is the beginning of the experimentation phase while heading down the path towards the "final design. This is a mock-up of the final product and at this point you will be adding color or use whatever products you have in mind to see how they work together.  If this is a never before used material like crushed opals,  then this phase will be your test run, allowing you to see how the material works and whether or not it should even be used in the first place.  Because of the influx of new materials it is important to learn how specific material work. Glass color comes in different viscocities, which means the consistency of the material works and feels different from one color to the next. Some colors need specific flame settings and work better with similar colors. If you are using a color that reduces next to a color that doesn't the two colors will work and feel differently. Especially if you are trying to avoid the reduction of the color its self.  Especially when it comes to using it for different and new project. For example a cobalt blue is going to move easier than a lemon drop or any cadmium color.   When referring back to your thumbnail sketches think about the colors you're going to want to use a write them down on your drawing using little lines of reference to point to the area that you think the color would be applied.  Once you get though a successful "dress rehearsal"  it will be time to begin Phase four......Opening Night.     Phase 4- Opening Night        As any opening night of a performance,  there will be bugs that need to get worked out that may not have come up during the dress rehearsal and rear their ugly heads during opening night.  Typically Phases 1,2, and 3 can be done on one day, Phase 4 should be done during its own session. It will give you a true gauge on the particulars of the piece being made. This way if there are any issues like color checking, you will be able to narrow down the specific issues and solve them as they occur.         At this point you will have your thumbnail sketches, clear sketch, and dress rehearsal piece that you will use for reference while finalizing phase 4. By having your phase 3 piece available to hold and study, this physical reference will help you down the path towards the end of your final masterpiece.      Now that you have successfully moved through the 4 phases of creation, worked out the bugs and fine tuned the path you can now begin the final stage if you want, Phase 5...... Production.               

You Have the Ability to Live Out Your Dreams w/ Chris Dickey aka The Goblin King

WyzGuy Minute Ep.8: Repetition vs. Deliberate Practice      What is Deliberate Practice? According to an article  written on personal growth https://medium.com/personal-growth/the-beginners-guide-to-deliberate-practice-b99752dd4392      Deliberate practice refers to a special type of practice that is purposeful and systematic. While regular practice might include mindless repetitions, deliberate practice requires focused attention and is conducted with the specific goal of improving performance.  "While regular practice might include mindless repetitions, deliberate practice requires focused attention and is conducted with the specific goal of improving performance."     No matter how long you've been a glass artist putting in the time is the most important thing. The issues occur when we take for granted the minute details in our techniques that seem mindless and the slight errors that are causing issues in our work become overlooked.  This is because the natural tendency of the human brain is to transform repeated behaviors into automatic habits.         For example, think back to when you learned how to ride a bike. First you had training wheels which taught you the basics of balance while pedaling and steering.  The training wheels were there to keep you from falling while you developed the muscle memory for coordinating pedaling and steering at the same time. Then the training wheels came off and you had to add balance into the equation which becomes the most frustrating part as you kept falling off or crashing your bike. After hours of practice you eventually stopped falling and were then able to incorporate speed into the equation. Years later you were jumping off curbs, riding with no hands or towing your friends around on your handle bars.  Learning Specific techniques in glass blowing is no different.       Just Mindless activity is the enemy of deliberate practice. The danger of practicing the same thing again and again is that progress becomes assumed. Too often, we assume we are getting better simply because we are gaining experience. In reality, we are just going through the motions and not improving our techniques.  It's crucial to reflect throughout the day on moments at which an error occurs such as a sudden crack in the item your working on.  You must step back and troubleshoot what the potential issue could have been.  The only way you're going to figure out if you were correct about the reasoning behind the issue is to try something different.   This can be the most frustrating part of the learning process but without focusing on specific points of the process you'll never have any breakthroughs and only continue to make the same mistakes and have the same Issues.       If your pieces are cracking when you're putting them back in the kiln are you leaving them out of the flame too long?  Are you cleaning up all of the connections and seems along the way as you build your piece?  Are you laying the piece on the floor of your kiln right after putting it away instead of floating it for a minute allowing it to slowly re-acclimate itself to the temp of the kiln. Timing is crucial and so is cleanliness when it comes to creating any works of art out of glass.  Especially when it's something new to you as the maker.  “Perhaps the greatest difference between deliberate practice and simple repetition is this: feedback”       As you go through the motions of creation pay attention to every step of the process and if you find yourself struggling at a certain point stop and make a mental note. Then put aside an hour out of your shift to troubleshoot the issue and see if you can break it down into a process.   Imagine you want to try making a wine glass and never have before. Do you think that if your jump on the torch and make a glass from start to finish that its going to come out the way you envisioned?  More then likely not. This is because you haven't refined your skills for making the three separate parts of the wine glass. This is crucial if you want to make consistently clean, quality wine glasses.        Take the time to learn and deliberately practice the process of making just the cup tops. This could take weeks to figure out but if you spend just 1-hour per shift deliberately practicing cup tops eventually you wont have a pile of wonky cups tops. Instead you'll have a collection of selection of tops that are worthy of adding a stem and foot to.    To be able to deliberate practice you need to figure out the entire process from prep to final piece. On a piece of paper draw out the steps of whatever it is your practicing. For instance the cup top. To break it down you first need to figure out the right type of tubing to use. Then what length of tubing to make the cup. Then how to pull points that are perfectly centered. On a side note most cup makers pull a point on both ends with one side acting as the punty and the other the blow pipe. Then after pulling both point handles how much heat and air and tooling is needed. This has to be broken down into stages in order for you to systematically have the ability to see each step of the process making it easier to deliberately practice the process of whatever you're creating.   Yes this might sound boring and mundane but the only way you will become the refined artist that you want to become is with deliberate practice and not just going through the motions fo your daily routine.  Put aside the time every day you are in the studio to practice one technique whether its pulling points or making feet for a goblet.  If you want to become the technically skilled artist you envision then you must take the time to refine technique using deliberate practice as the catalyst to fulfilling that dream.  And this has been your WyzGuy Minute contact:wyzguymedia@gmail.com  Become a WyzAss by supporting the show at www.patreon.com/wyzguyradio  

Welcome to Ep.216  featuring the Founders of Glass Vegas     Starting in 2016 Lee Anne(owner) and Amy (co-founder/show manager) debuted Glass Vegas, a new trade show with a focus on High-End functional glass art.  This new venture gives the glass artist a new space to grow and develop relationships not only with other fellow artists but also with retailers and consumers of their products.  Now going into their 4th year Glass Vegas continues to be the trade show that the artist seek out during the Spring trade show season.  Hope you enjoy this episode and any further information you'd like pertaining to the trade show make sure to check them out online at www.glass.vegas   Injured artist fund:  https://glass.vegas/show/injured-artist-fund.php          registration info:  https://glass.vegas/exhibitor/exhibitor-waitlist.php general info: https://glass.vegas/show/index.php  

WyzGuy Minute Ep.7: Hot Glass and Cold Glass Look the Same   Whether you're a novice or a seasoned glass artist I can guarantee you've burned yourself once or twice and hopefully just from hot glass.  Those of us unlucky ones who have been kissed by the flame have a clear understanding of what a 3rd degree burn entails.  Don't get me wrong, 1st and 2nd degree burn are no fun either but having your hand turned into the Sahara desert in a matter of seconds has been the worse injury I've sustained in the 2-decades behind the torch. Today I'm going to share the various degree of burns along with proven methods to care for and manage severe burns.     The best piece of advice I can give you is to avoid working with hot glass in any other mind set then  alert and focused while making every move  behind the torch intentional. Hot glass and cold glass look very similar as soon as the hot glow goes away.            Types of Burns and how to care for them  First-degree (superficial) burns. First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin, the epidermis. The burn site is red, painful, dry, and with no blisters. Mild sunburn is an example. Long-term tissue damage is rare and often consists of an increase or decrease in the skin color.    BURN CARE: FIRST DEGREE  First-degree burns are usually treated with home care. Healing time may be quicker the sooner you treat the burn. Treatments for a first-degree burn include:  soaking the wound in cool water for five minutes or longer  taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief  applying lidocaine (an an  esthetic) with aloe vera gel or cream to soothe the skin  using an antibiotic ointment and loose gauze to protect the affected area  Make sure you don't use ice, as this may make the damage worse. Never apply cotton balls to a burn because the small fibers can stick to the injury and increase the risk of infection. Also, avoid home remedies like butter and eggs as these are not proven to be effective.     BURN CARE: SECOND DEGREE  Second-degree burns are more serious because the damage extends beyond the top layer of skin. This type burn causes the skin to blister and become extremely red and sore.  Some blisters pop open, giving the burn a wet or weeping appearance. Over time, thick, soft, scab-like tissue called fibrinous exudate may develop over the wound.  Due to the delicate nature of these wounds, keeping the area clean and bandaging it properly is required to prevent infection. This also helps the burn heal quicker.  Some second-degree burns take longer than three weeks to heal, but most heal within two to three weeks without scarring, but often with pigment changes to the skin.  The worse the blisters are, the longer the burn will take to heal. In some severe cases, skin grafting is required to fix the damage. Skin grafting takes healthy skin from another area of the body and moves it to the site of the burned skin.  As with first-degree burns, avoid cotton balls and questionable home remedies.   Treatments for a mild second-degree burn generally include:  running the skin under cool water for 15 minutes or longer  taking over-the-counter pain medication (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)  applying antibiotic cream to blisters  However, seek emergency medical treatment if the burn affects a widespread area, such as any of the following:  face  hands  buttocks  groin  feet   Third-degree (full thickness) burns. Third-degree burns destroy the epidermis and dermis. They may go into the innermost layer of skin, the subcutaneous tissue. The burn site may look white or blackened and charred.     BURN CARE: THIRD DEGREE  Excluding fourth-degree burns, third-degree burns are the most severe. They cause the most damage, extending through every layer of skin.  There is a misconception that third-degree burns are the most painful. However, with this type of burn the damage is so extensive that there may not be any pain because of nerve damage.  Depending on the cause, the symptoms third-degree burns can exhibit include:  waxy and white color  char  dark brown color  raised and leathery texture  blisters that do not develop  Without surgery, these wounds heal with severe scarring and contracture. There is no set timeline for complete spontaneous healing for third-degree burns.  Never attempt to self-treat a third-degree burn. Call 911 immediately. While you're waiting for medical treatment, raise the injury above your heart. Don't get undressed, but make sure no clothing is stuck to the burn.    COMPLICATIONS  Compared with first- and second-degree burns, third-degree burns carry the most risk for complications, such as infections, blood loss, and shock, which is often what could lead to death. At the same time, all burns carry the risk of infections because bacteria can enter broken skin.  Tetanus is another possible complication with burns of all levels. Like sepsis, tetanus is a bacterial infection. It affects the nervous system, eventually leading to problems with muscle contractions. As a rule of thumb, every member of your household should receive updated tetanus shots every 10 years to prevent this type of infection.  Severe burns also carry the risk of hypothermia and hypovolemia. Dangerously low body temperatures characterize hypothermia. While this may seem like an unexpected complication of a burn, the condition is actually prompted by excessive loss of body heat from an injury. Hypovolemia, or low blood volume, occurs when your body loses too much blood from a burn.    Fourth-degree burns. Fourth-degree burns go through both layers of the skin and underlying tissue as well as deeper tissue, possibly involving muscle and bone. There is no feeling in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.      Hope we never experince the 4th degree but if you have had a direct shot from the mottest part of the torch you may have experienced a 4th degree  this is why it is crucial when working on a torch with tempuratures reaching as high as 4000 degress you must be alert and focused during every work session.    now lets discuus some items you should never use to help a burn whether for pain or heal  Remedies to avoid    While coconut oil is a popular remedy for a range of skin conditions, it should not be used to treat burns.  Many so-called burn treatment have been passed down through generations.  Some of these are not only ineffective, but they could also make a burn worse.  The following should not be used:  Oils  Many people have claimed that essential oils and some common cooking oils, such as coconut and olive oil, are helpful for burns. However, oils trap heat, preventing the heat from the burn escaping. Trapping the heat can cause the burn to get worse instead of better.  Essential oils are often boasted to heal all kinds of skin and other conditions. Some research supports their use, but this comes from small-scale studies. No large-scale human studies have been carried out to examine the association between essential oil use and sunburn healing.  Butter  Many people think that rubbing butter over a burn will help a burn heal. Despite its popularity, butter acts in a similar way to other oils in that it keeps heat in and may cause the burn to get worse.  No evidence supports the use of butter as a burn treatment.  Egg whites  Some people believe spreading an uncooked egg white on a burn will help relieve the pain. However, there is no evidence that uncooked egg helps. In fact, it is more likely that the egg will aide in spreading bacteria to the burn.  Ice  Many people turn to ice before cool water to help with a burn, thinking that the cold temperature of the ice will do a more effective job in cooling the burned skin.  However, ice can cause more harm than good and can irritate the burned skin further. In some extreme cases, a person may experience a cold burn from exposure to the ice.  Toothpaste  Some people believe applying toothpaste to a burn site can help. In fact, the unsterile toothpaste may actually help spread bacteria into the burn.  When to see a doctor  Although first-degree and second-degree burns do not typically require medical attention, there are a few signs to look out for. It is important to monitor first-degree burns as they may be second-degree with more damage showing up after a few hours.  If a person experiences a second-degree burn or higher, they should seek medical attention for the burn.  Things to look out for include:  a burn that covers an area of skin larger than 3 inches  burns around joints such as knees and elbows  a burn that affects the face, groin, feet, hands, or buttocks  Third-degree and fourth-degree burns require immediate medical attention. These burns are typically considered life-threatening. A person should not try home remedies when the burn is that severe.    From                       

 bio- Born in a beach town, culture has always been my primary form of expression- From surfing to music to art to celebrating life and success with my family- I've consistently expressed my ideas thru media of culture itself- I received my Crafts degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Fine Arts with a concentration in glass- There I discovered how to utilize glass as a media to further express how art and culture are one- I feel like American culture has become themed around the artistic remix; or more formally the idea of amalgamation. In my journey to discover the perfect "mix" I've searched for and attempted to create images that universally appeal to everyone.   Check him out on Instagram @blitzkriega  Subscribe to WGM ON YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/P_3lNQWQoRo   Gain access to exclusive content and help support the show by joining our Patreon community. www.patreon.com/wyzguyradio SPONSORS The Flow Magazine- Save 1-%off a new annual subscription by using promo code "WYZGUY" AT CHECKOUT Mountain Glass Arts-MONTHLY BORO SALE-GOLDEN GATE TUBING 20% OFF No Promo Code Needed This sale does not combine with other discounts. Does not include 7-9mm color rod. MONTHLY SOFT GLASS SALE-CREATION IS MESSY 40% OFF Promo Code: MESSYThis sale does not apply to sample packs and does not combine with other discounts.  

WyzGuy Minute EP.6:Cleanliness is next to Godliness  As many episode before this, current circumstances become the inspiration behind an episode.  This one is no different Recently I've been experimenting with application of color and new prep techniques and what dawned on me is the only way I'm ever going to have a successful result is if the glass I'm using is clean. Now this might sound like a duhhh type of moment but as simple as this can be,  its easy to look past and not follow thru on.  Look at the glass you have in your studio.  Not the finished products but the raw materials.  How are you storing it?  Is everything exposed to the elements of your studio?   Are your rods and tubing of clear stored in the boxes they came in or are they all unpacked and stored on a shelf?  How about your color?   Are you using pvc tubes to keep each color or size of clear glass rods sorted and separate?   The reason I ask is if your glass is exposed to the elements of the studio and not stored in a sealed container its being exposed to the environment and picking up the dust, dirt and grime in the air.  The smallest particles will potentially coat your glass and will show up in your work if not cleaned properly.  Even the glass that is kept stored away in the boxes they came in are going to have traces of some particles that need to be cleaned.  Even the oils from your hands will adhere to the glass and show up in your work.  This is why it's important to not only evaluate how you store your raw materials but also how you're cleaning your glass if you're even cleaning it to begin with.  First let's talk about storing your materials. With the variety of lengths that glass material comes in it can be a daunting task to find the right containers for storing materials.  If you use the boxes that the clear rod and tubing come in you won't have to keep a bunch of large plastic containers in the studio.  For color rods and even clear rods you can use PVC tubes to safely and neatly keep your color separated and out of the studio elements. Just make sure to buy the caps that appropriately fit the tubing and these can be stored on a shelf or rack. There are many options. Personally I drilled pilot holes on one side of 6 tubes which I was then able to fasten to the shelf and made them the bottom set. This will create a stable base for other tubes to rest of and not roll around. This is just one option.  now you can use these to store your color and clear rods.  After you create a bunch of prep like vac stacks or sections for a larger build a great way to store them is to find a rolling bread rack with separate trays. They come with a plastic cover and this an ideal environment.  Also use plastic wrap to literally wrap your prepped sections for an extra barrier and stored in plastic bins with lids.  this creates a simple way to keep your prep clean and organized plus easy to grab when traveling to other studios to work.   Rolling bread rack with cover link:         https://www.google.com/search?q=rolling+bread+racks+with+trays&rlz=1C1DVJR_enUS777US778&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwizhZ-Z15PiAhXKqFkKHcOwDKsQ_AUIDigB&biw=1163&bih=525#spd=17288337823282138790    So let's talk cleaners.   Most glass cleaners contain ammonia and other chemicals that will stay on the surface of the glass even if it looks clean and dried.   Cloths from your dryer can also leave residue on your glass if any type of fabric softener was used.   Rubbing alcohol is ideal but because of the evaporation factor it may not go as far or last as long. Also as a warning..If you apply rubbing alcohol to hot glass it could potentially combust...   So what should we all use??   A natural remedy that is used in a lot of households is a mixture of water and vinegar and some sort of paper.  Newspaper is commonly used for cleaning windows as it doesn't leave any streaks.  But according to some research Windex brand glass cleaner has been proven to be the best.. https://www.yourbestdigs.com/reviews/best-window-cleaner/     Glass Cleaner Ingredients 2 cups of water (distilled or filtered is best so it doesn't leave residue) 2 tablespoons vinegar 10 drops essential oil of choice- I use lemon (optional- but it helps cut the vinegar smell) https://wellnessmama.com/763/homemade-glass-cleaner/     A spray bottle with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water is also a good remedy.   As you can tell there's many ways to clean glass and many reasons why. Just remember clean glass will lead to better clarity in your final product. In the end  Create good habits that will lead to you creating your best work.    And this has been your WyzGuy radio minute    Subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/P_3lNQWQoRo  

Episode 214-Chelsy Joy: The 7-Pillars of Health Chelsy Joy : Today Id like to share with you 7 core Health & Wellness Pillars which assist your body in being the most awesome, solid creative, gorgeous human art form and tie all the info we talk about today into the same pillars which make your glass blowing art & glass business a success. So let's start talking about how you can reduce Stress……. Stress Management/Pain Management: Pain = No Gain :(  How to turn your pain into passion! Hydration: Water is life! Literally. Learn to flow from your heart! Exercise/Vibrations: Come on Baby light my fire! (torch) How I used whole body vibration to strengthen my core and reduce pain! Nutrition: You are literally what you eat (put in your art)! Detoxification: So Fresh and so clean clean! Wax on Wax Off! Pooping makes perfect! Suana for pain management! Cellular Renewal - Kintsugi - Broken art is better art! Community  - It takes a Village to build a better you!!!  Subscribe to us on YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/P_3lNQWQoRo Let's start by learning how!   CJoy717 Pillars to Joyful Health https://www.c-joy.com/individual-wellness   Selective stimulation of the growth of anaerobic microflora in the human intestinal tract by electrolyzed reducing water. https://synergyscience.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/stimultion_anaerobic_microflora_h2_water.pdf   Hydrogen–water enhances 5-fluorouracil-induced inhibition of colon cancer https://synergyscience.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/colon_cancer_and_hydrogen_water.pdf   Molecular Hydrogen: New Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Related Diseases https://synergyscience.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Rheumatoid_Arthritis_and_related_diseases_copy.pdf   More than 24,500 chemicals found in bottled water https://www.bottledwater.org/files/Fox%20News%20German%20EDC%20Study%20Comment%20%281.16.14%29.pdf   Synergy Science brings us Echo H2 water https://synergyscience.com/   CJoy Wellness Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFG03T3q8ETUEHykFoSh0zA/videos?view_as=subscriber   Find me on Social Media Sites @CJoy4Living         Have a great week          ReplyForward                  

Kres Bug is an American Counter Culture Mixed Media Artist. Born Samuel James Cullen Pesendian in Santa Barbara, California in 1985, he currently resides in northern Colorado.  Kres Bug is heavily inspired by his California upbringing and exposure to graffiti and graffiti culture to produce his works. With backgrounds in graffiti, glass pipes, and music he is integrating a character based graffiti/street art style into glass.  He currently has artwork in galleries and shops from coast to coast.  Denouncing the phrase “self taught” and having no formal schooling, Kres claims his influences and skill set come simply from his peers.  Moving forward, he hopes to mesh his 10 years of painting with his now 8 years in glass to make a unique and original body of Graffiti Style Glass Art. Kres is also Co-Founder of The Colorado Color Company. Find Kres and CCC on Instagram @kres_bug_glass and @coloradocolorcompany and buy some color online at   https://www.etsy.com/shop/ColoradoColorCompany          -------------------------------------------------------------------- SPONSORS Mountain Glass Arts check them out for Weekly and Monthly Sales The Flow Magazine (use promo code WYZGUY for 10% off Annual Subscription) Listeners Like You Become a WyzA$$ and Join our Community on Patreon Subscribe to our newsletter on our home base at  WYZGUYMEDIA.COM

WyzGuy Minute  Ep.5: The importance of taking care of your body and saving for Emergencies :       You ever bend over to pick something up or turn to look at something quickly and suddenly  feel a sharp pain in your lower back? This is potentially a warning sign for a back injury.  According to TheGoodBody.com "About 80% of adults are estimated to experience a back injury in their lifetime… with roughly 10% suffering a re-injury."  This means its more than likely at some point in your life you will experience some form of back injury. The cause for anyone experiencing lower back injuries is  generally due to  NOT using the correct body posture and mechanics combined with over-use      Currently as I am recording this I am experiencing a lower back injury caused by Long days behind the torch, sitting or standing in awkward, unnatural positions, while repetitively going through the same motions producing the same item over and over again. This led to a lower back strain that has become inflamed and debilitating to a point where I've had to take a few days off of work.  Fortunately I have the ability to take the time off knowing I'm still getting paid for the lost days but if you don't what would you do?  If you don't have the option to decide whether or not you are willing to lose the revenue and rest what decision are you going to make?   Do you heal up and recover or power thru the pain? How about if you had a little bit of money tucked away for such an emergency then what decision would you make?   This leads me to several different topics that have been discussed in previous podcast episodes but want to cover them briefly now..   Topics you need to ask yourself ...   Have you put any money aside for an emergency/injury fund?  Are you willing to take several days off and just relax so you can heal?  Do you have any form of health insurance?  Do you get a regular deep tissue massage for maintenance?       I'm asking you these questions because they are important to sustaining a lifelong career as a glass artist.  Yes these all cost money and can be quite expensive but if you set yourself up with a financial plan and budget your time and money you will be prepared for emergencies. Now is more important than ever to start taking these topics and implementing them into your life and routines. It's easier now than ever to start..Just do it  Setup an online account that you can put away even just a small amount per week or month and don't touch it. How Fast can you set aside $1000.00?   break that down over 4-months. That's $250.00 a month or $60.00 a week.  We all know how fast time flies by and just for a bit of transparency this is something I need to do as well.    When it comes to your physical wellbeing if you're not already taking this serious you need to. Besides the negative impact an unhealthy body has on your mental wellbeing it also will lead you down the path of physical and physiological issues that can shorten your lifespan. You need to stop and really check yourself and find ways of starting some sort of physical routine outside of the studio.  Even if it's just going for a 30-minute walk in the morning while the studio is warming up. Try some yoga or jumping rope. Make sure you're getting adequate sleep and are staying hydrated from water, not sodas and beer and all the other crap that is being shoved down our throats from today's marketing geniuses.  We all need to understand for our community to thrive we all need to work on ourselves so that as a whole we can continue to grow and teach each other how to be the best version of us.  Be prepared for emergencies and maintain your physical well-being and you my friend will have a long lasting thriving career as a glass artist.      And this has been your WyzGuy Radio Minute            https://www.thegoodbody.com/back-injury-statistics/         

Episode 165: James Newcomb AKA Jimi the Don        @mindfulglassworks on Instagram   Bio: I was born in Providence, Rhode Island, 16th of June, year of our science, 1980.I dropped out of college to get into business management, traveled around the country for a bit, sold glass for people at shows and festivals and such.  Started working with glass as a medium in the late 90s, got into lampworking in 2004, and have been shaping it into a career ever since. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GO TO WWW.WYZGUYMEDIA/RESOURCES FOR A DOWNLOADABLE FILE TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR BASELINE COST TO MANUFACTURE YOUR PRODUCTS ACTUALLY IS. Home for more Podcast Episodes Sponsors and Support Become a WyzA$$ by supporting the show on Patreon Subscribe to The Flow Magazine use promo code WYZGUY TO RECEIVE 10% OFF NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS Mountain Glass Arts Sales page  -------------------------------------------------------------------------- How to calculate cost of production In this example I'm using reference from internet which has material price based on length ..... This is a generic example example 3"-wrap and rake hand pipe Material breakdown : 2" section of simax 25.4 hvy wall ($8.00/60") $0.13per inch or $0.26(2"section) 1/2" section of color cobalt firsts ($5.25/18") $0.15 9" section 4mm clear for raking ($0.52/60") $0.09 Estimated total for cost of Goods 3"wrap and take spoon ($0.26+$0.15+$0.09)=$0.50 Propane/oxygen/power is pennies on the dollar if you're able to get liquid oxygen. If you are renting space you still need to calculate your estimated per hour rate. If you pay $1500.00/mo(power,rent,gas) break it down to per day then estimate how many hours you work in a day and use that number as a base calculation. $1500.00/month (30-day month) is approx $50.00/day (per hour in a 10-hr day) $5.00/hr (gases,power,rent) If you can make 10-$5.00 3" wrap spoons per hour your estimated cost per hour is $10.00/hr (power,rent,gas) $5.00+(material x's 10-hr) $5.00= $10.00/hr. to manufacture 10-$5.00 spoons Net-$50.00(10-$5.00 3" w/r)-$10.00(cost to manufacture)= Gross approx $40.00/hr. In a 8 hr day do the math You can see just by getting a good base line down for estimating your cost to manufacture you have the ability to make anywhere from $30-60.00/hr gross profit Gross= income Net =income-cost to manufacture =profit Now take 15% of your gross and put that aside for TAXES !!!!    

Episode 211-Wyoming Mofo As a full time glass artist residing in the great state of Wyoming, his seclusion to the outside world hindered his growth as an artist for the first decade of his career. Then one day he was introduced to the work of talented artist SALT and it changed his life forever. Upon taking a class from SALT, he was introduced to new sculpting techniques and color application that allow him to explore his creativity like never before. Soon he found he wanted to find a fun, unique style that he could call his own and after coming across a picture of an Angler fish he knew immediately that he found his canvas. After years of experimenting he began to gain a following and refined his style all the while adjusting to the ebs and flows of a volatile industry. Fast forward to current times when the functional glass market has found itself in a considerable decline in sales and revenue has caught many artist off guard including himself. This , along with not truly taking care of his mental, financial and physical well being, Wyoming found himself getting closer to hitting rock bottom. Then came the breaking point where he reached out on Instagram sharing the deep depression he was experiencing and to his surprise the response he was given helped him realize that he is loved by many fans and glass artists and isn't in this alone. His stepping out and being transparent was the catalyst that brought him on the show to not only share his glass journey but also talk about his depression and how he has been able to slowly climb out of it.     I really hope you enjoy this chat and just know that if you are going through a rough time to reach out to family and friends and have this discussion.  The worse thing you can do is isolate yourself.  Suicide hotline number-Call 1-800-273-8255

Episode 210: Aaron Evan- Love Yourself not Your Ego        For well over a decade Aaron Evans has been spreading his distinct D.I.Y. brand of rebellious, uplifting and brutally honest artwork around the world. He ran Dove Ink Records, an Indy Hip Hop Label with his good friend Illogic. He published gonzo style articles in counter culture publications found on newsstands around the globe. He toured and traveled. He went viral with his anthem for the people "We All Work". He learned a million mediums of creativity, from directing music videos and blowing glass, to graphic design and music production. Then, in a instant, it all stopped, as 3 years ago he unexpectedly had to step into a role as a caretaker for his father stricken with Dementia and relocate his family across the country to escape his brother who had relapsed on heroin. But, if you know Aaron, you know the one thing he never does, is give up.       The story of Aaron's downfall is unapolageticaly tragic. Yet the trajectory of his resurrection is nothing short of astounding. Relaunching his carrier on Jan. 1st., Aaron returned with a new arsenal of artistic offerings ranging from music videos and short films, to a new album (Hope Floats) and groundbreaking line of handmade blown glass (The One Tribe). During his time in the wilderness, sequestered from the city in a life of service to his family, Aaron simply spent every free min his could find refining his craft and renewing his being; Mind, Body and Soul. 1000's of hours in the music and glass studios, in the gym, in field scouting locations, in his home, in the wee hours of the night, making sure every single detail was right before publishing his second novel in life.       Over the course of the last 18 months threw countless hours of trail and error, success and failure, and the combined efforts of my entire 20 year artistic career, I have created an offering unlike anything it's predecessor. ONE TRIBE, the first ever music video to couple stop motion animation with glass sculpture. I would estimate I have over 1000 total hours into this project. I've never worn more hats at once. Emcee, Director, Set Designer, Photographer, Graphic Designer, Glassblower, Script Writer, Video Editor, MADMAN! I've often referred to myself as an artistic decathlete, and this is my dissertation to back that statement. I didn't know how to blow glass, nor know if I could even use glass in the stop motion medium when I originally spawned this idea. But innovation isn't birth from certainty, but it's polar opposite, the unknown, the unexplored, the unimagined. I dove into the abyss with absolute disregard for what others told me I could or couldn't accomplish, and produced the nearly impossible, a truly unique and original artistic creation.    find the video for one tribe on YouTube  https://youtu.be/MLVw9m1v8p4 Follow and Subscribe to his channel https://www.youtube.com/user/AaronEvansTV also on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aaronevansart/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsors Mountain Glass Arts Monthly Sales MONTHLY BORO SALE PYREX ROD & TUBE 45% OFF  (No Promo Code Needed ) This Sale Does Not Combine With Other Discounts. Does Not Include 7-9mm Color Rod MONTHLY SOFT GLASS SALEEFFETRE 35% OFF (Promo Code: EFFETRE) This sale does not apply to sample packs and does not combine with other discounts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Flow Magazine   For new Subscribers save 10% off Annual Subscription using promo code "WYZGUY" at checkout    

Ep. 209(From the Vault) Mike Luna   Episode 120- Talking Dragons with Mike Luna  @mikelunaglass on Instagram    What's going on?? Thanks for tuning in and continuing to follow the show.  This was a great conversation with one Mike Luna, someone who's work I have personally admired for close to a decade. Currently Mike is known for his line of dragons but when you dive into Mikes glass past he has a wide variety of work in his portfolio. We discuss his beginnings, what inspires his work as well as discussing his techniques used as he applies color and creates his masterpieces.  Hope you enjoy this fun chat with Mike Luna.    Hello! My name is Michael Luna, I was born in Torrence, CA in 1978. I was raised in Santa Fe Springs CA up until I was 15 then I moved to O'brien Oregon to start High School at Illinois Valley High. After high school in 1996 I moved back to Los Angeles where I work in automotive retail. By this time my older brother (Chris) had already started his journey of glassblowing. He would tell me on the phone how cool it was! So fast forward to 1999 when I get a phone call from Chris, he said "hey bro, wanna job" I dropped my whole life and moved back to Oregon. I worked in a production shop ran by a guy named Gilbert Velosco (still friends till this day) throughout the time I was there I made friends with a soon to be legend, Darby Holm. Darby took me under his wing and started to apprentice me in about 2000. learning under Darby changed my life! He and the Holms are like family to me. Well, I'm still in Oregon constantly learning and trying different things with glass.      SPONSORS: Our WyzA$$'s on  Patreon Help support the show by becoming a WyzA$$ for as little as $1.00/month and receive a special bonus based on your level of sponsorship   Www.mountainglass.com Feb Sales :    Boro.  40% off Chinese rod and tube (No coupon code required)   Softglass 20% off Mandell's and Bead release  (Use code Bead) at checkout  www.theflowmagazine.com new subscribers save 10% off an annual subscription.   (Use code. wyzguy) at checkout   

Episode 208(From the Vault): Bhandu Scott Dunham- From Mad Scientist to Master Lampworker ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Previously aired from Episode 170, Bandhu and I sit down in the virtual studio and discuss many topics pertaining to glass and his career.  Find out what sparked his initial interest in glass and what continues to motivate  him to continue working with this amazing medium  for the last 42 years.  Bio: Born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1959, Bandhu Dunham began to teach himself lampwork/flamework technique in 1975, while still in high school. Now an internationally respected glass artist, author and teacher, his work is in the permanent collections of numerous museums in the US and abroad, including the Corning Museum of Glass, The Museum of Arts and Design, Museum für Glaskunst (Germany), Niijima Glass Art Center (Japan), and Osaka University of Arts. Bandhu's Contemporary Lampworking books are the authoritative, standard instructional texts in his field. He regularly teaches workshops at craft schools and private studios around the United States and internationally. In 2010 he was Visiting Foreign Instructor at Osaka University of Arts in Osaka, Japan. In 2012, Bandhu was a presenter and Masterclass leader at the International Festival of Glass in Stourbridge, England. In 2013 he was a presenter and teacher at the international Ausglass Conference in Australia, and First Place winner in the CHAMPS Glass Games in Las Vegas.  http://www.bandhu.info ("non"- functional works)  http://www.xorplex.com(functional works) Contemporary Lampworking  https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_1_17?k=contemporary+lampworking&sprefix=contemporary+lamp __________________________________________________ SPONSORS: Our WyzA$$'s on  Patreon Help support the show by becoming a WyzA$$ for as little as $1.00/month and receive a special bonus based on your level of sponsorship   Www.mountainglass.com Feb Sales :    Boro.  40% off Chinese rod and tube (No coupon code required)  Softglass 20% off Mandell's and Bead release  (Use code Bead) at checkout  www.theflowmagazine.com new subscribers save 10% off an annual subscription.   (Use code. wyzguy) at checkout