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Edward Skeels
02-17-2008, 04:29 PM
Putting this is a separate thread for easy nukin'. That way it won't sully anything in progress.

Ahem:

I don't think I posted anything about Lia (doesn’t she have the Muppet avatar; why would I pick on her?) so maybe it was something else I wrote that concerned someone. I did rag on another for asking how to fold a newspaper after the fact, made a comment about jack fetishes and something else I don't remember. Then I went for a sail. If some or all got their noses out of joint, well, screw you.

Me in person is different than me on a message board. On a message board you don’t get the tonal inflection, the eye rolls or sarcastic nasal drone. You just get text on a page and wonder what ass is writing.

I think there should be a gauntlet or guild to vet the worthy from the hacks. There should be opinions. Bombast is not a bad thing if it frightens the weak and sends them scurrying. I abhor the idea that just because you’re a ‘murican with a credit card or checkbook you can play glassblowing. Pete thinks it’s naughty of me when I use the term “blob art” but I see glass as a technical material the same as metal or plastics. The tradition of glassmaking is based on process. My respect to those producing refined product and to the few who can wield the material beyond colorful jugs to that of something called art I lay prostrate before you. To the rest; you bore me, go away.

FYI I never say anything bad on MW’s board. The citizens there are all helping each other get started and I respect that. However, Craftweb came about in a different way, with a different crowd that was (once upon a time) more freewheeling. It was the backside of the mullet reclaimed by PV who wanted a treefort of his own when his relationship with BS went south. I was the second after P to sign up and the first to give money to Kate to offset operating fees. The idea that Craftweb should now be all things bland to all people bland is to me an unfortunate reality. Then again nobody would want it to be DW’s rant spectacular.

I’m not a Neanderthal even though I play one. I get life. I understand beauty and grace; go to the ballet and museums. I am metro sexual and I am a man (ladies). I know what it means to commit to an endeavor and realize how retarded it is to spend 30 years shaping molten goop for a living. I am 3-D, real-time and unashamed. I do commit to an opinion, posture or point of view and am rabid and a zealot, but only until I change my mind and go off in another direction. I have learned to allow myself to change my mind without prior notice or explanation. I can’t always change reality, but I can always change my mind. I will listen to a different point of view but I want the position to be advocated with reason. I don’t buy opinions just because I need something to believe in; you have to sell it to me. If it’s good, I’m your bitch.

I can be generous in person but I do make the participant pass a test of sorts. In the real world where the wind blows and birds sing, I put some lettering on the door to my shop suggesting you don’t come in. For those willing to cross over the threshold I always give time even without an appointment. I want to see your work, hear you talk about yourself; where you come from and what you’ve done. I am optimistic that the person in front of me isn’t a total doofus and if I can get a sense of who you are and that you’re not a dickhead, you have me for the afternoon. Take a chance; go for a drive. Show up at my door, flash those big Kean eyes of yours and see what happens. It’s a good idea to call first cause I’m not always around. I might wind elements for the cost of materials to demonstrate the process, let people try out molds on the mold boy, get gathers, demonstrate pressed parrisons and make whatever. Want to learn how to pull stems or make feet? I don’t know everything but I’m good at what I do. If you want to look over my shoulder it’s not like you’re stealing my thoughts; you’ll still need to do the work. It’s learning and sharing in the form of grown up play.

I was taught that at some point it would be good to give back to the community. I feel I do give back, but not to just anyone. You have to make your case. To the ones I judge worthy, I’ve given away for free the equivalent of a complete hotshop over the years. Furnaces (plural), gloryholes, marvers, benches, molds, combustion trains, electrical components and handtools. I’ve loaned systems, books, scanned tracts and give away the used pipes. I’ve also sold off many useful items for token payment or trade.

To some of the denizens here; I appreciate D for making the effort to expand his knowledge of chemistry in an organized fashion, ditto for J when he described the process of developing glazes in his life prior to glass, kudos’ to B for building out a proper shop, don’t know if the fez is an improvement over the pistol, wish someone would remind me to slap J the next time I see him, think P should have drink for old times sake, and encourage T to speak his mind to the person pissing him off. What’s the downside, you might end up having a good conversation. A; I finally saw your private message. In hindsight probably not a good idea and please don't follow my lead. People like you. My method is bad for business and you have responsibilities.

Just to show how flexible I am. I’m not a fan of wavy bowls but have to give credit to the guy on Ebay who developed an alternative sales method and keeps selling wall platters like there’s no tomorrow. That guy rocks.

To the timid who run away when opinions are given; don’t.

P.S. I’m not sure why I would chime in on the Pilchuck syndrome thread. I am the most dogmatic, anal, rigid glassmaker on God’s green earth. Until I’m not. Then I’m a pussycat.

Meow.

Ed Skeels
Skeels Glass/Keith Orr Blowpipes
101 S. Coombs D4
Napa CA 94559
Tel (707) 253-2287 (no fax)
www.skeelsglass.com
www.keithorrblowpipes.com

(edited for spelling)
www.youtube.com/user/keithorr

Dan Buchacher
02-17-2008, 06:55 PM
Rock on Ed, I like it, heres to the Independent Voices out there that make it interesting!

I lived in Germany for awhile, and at first all the Germans seem incredibly rude. Then after a while you realize that is just seems that way because you are an American and so used to everything being sugarcoated and watered down all the time. You realize after awhile the Germans are just being really honest and direct to you and you get to really like it. They don't ever tell you to "Have a Nice Day" when you leave, because they really don't care if you do or not and it would not be an honest thing for them to say!

Jane Greer
02-17-2008, 07:13 PM
I don't think it was Lia I think it was my question about encasing gold when you said:
Hi, I built my studo first; now I'm trying to learn how to blow glass. Any pointers?

Didn't bother me, since i don't know you and didn't know why the response. Like I said it doesn't bother me. It doesn't mean that much to me to mean that much to you.
I didn't build my studio first and then want to learn how to blow glass. I have been working for 12 years in glass to get to the point I am, and while I couldn't afford a stadleman furnace, at least I'm blowing. Did I learn everything first, no, because practice is the only way you can learn everything. IMHO. I wasn't able to practice every day. Now I can.

"The idea that Craftweb should now be all things bland to all people bland is to me an unfortunate reality."

I was refered to this board by the Master Blower I learned from. Maybe he didn't realize it was only for people who already knew everything. I am glad there is a board such as this, as there are already a lot of boards that are indeed bland and I don't think this board is bland. But then what do i know.
At any rate, I'm glad to see you back as is everyone else.


Jane

Brian Gingras
02-17-2008, 07:28 PM
I'm not exactly a senior member of the glass community with only 10 years into it, but I think I see part of what Ed's point is. When I learned 10 years ago there were not a ton of studios, flame working was still up and coming. In the past 5 years, it seems, everyone has taken a class and was building a studio, most have been washing out of it in the economy. I see a lot of "I took a class, I liked it, I'm going to build a studio"...i actually built a studio in NY for one such person, they lasted 8 months and had no clue really. Most of them act like they know everything, when they know nothing.

The board isn't just for those who know everything, it's for those who want honest answers, and the truth can be painf( or given painfully :) ). the info here is sometimes given with a bit of sarcasm, or whatever you want to call it...it's called paying your dues in this business...the ones who have been at it for 20-30-40 years have every right to be the way they are, it doesn't mean they are trying to discourage you.

Franklin Sankar
02-17-2008, 08:45 PM
I am glad to meet Ed at GAs and he did not bite me so I guess he is ok.
Franklin

Pete VanderLaan
02-18-2008, 01:36 AM
Lemme see here... I have worked in Glass for about forty years and I have known two "Master Glassblowers".

Actually I came to Craftweb and then things went South with Brad who was not at all a happy camper that I was going to revive it.

As to Ed and his attitude. Usually it's great information and I value it. He clearly knows his stuff. Sometimes it gets to where it's not information at all, it's sort of a rant and that's not so good. For people that are used to it, it's OK. For those that aren't, I don't think they need to be sent scurrying just because they want to mess with hot goop and are willing to ask questions in a public forum. I don't think they need to be humiliated. Everyone took their first gather at sometime. I am glad to see Ed posting again.

Scott Novota
02-18-2008, 11:40 AM
Thanks for showing my brother your place Ed. He still talks about it every time we get on a glass bender.


Scott.
.

Mike Aurelius
02-19-2008, 08:47 AM
A man after my own heart -- maybe we were separated at birth LOL...

Ben Rosenfield
02-19-2008, 09:07 AM
I enjoyed seeing the bones in the teapot at GAS.

Victor Chiarizia
02-19-2008, 05:05 PM
on another non glass board i belong to theres a novice section and a great search engine. if a noob doesn't try to find answers to their questions first and they post that question, they will get slammed. searching = research= seriuos about a hobby/whatever. maybe a noob section would spare the feelings of beginers. v

John Van Koningsveld
02-19-2008, 07:04 PM
Feelings Schmeelings. As one that was dinged by Ed when asking about a graphite mold on here last summer, I was slightly bent out of shape. It wasn't so much the fact that he accused me of possibly being David W., it was the fact that he pointed out what a stupid idea a graphite mold is. I retaliated by suggesting he was a bit of a douche, and there was no further discussion from either of us. If strongly worded replies are no longer encouraged, or actually discouraged, I think the quality of the information on this board will suffer. Words don't hurt, ignorance does. After reading Ed's message starting this thread, it seems that he and I are pretty much cut from the same cloth. Therefore, I am a bit of a douche.;)

David Patchen
02-19-2008, 11:14 PM
Good thread Ed! I love your posts and glad to see you back. I should head to Napa one day and meet the man in person.

I think beginner abuse is separate from general sarcasm and amusing, spirited, friendly nastiness (forgive the oxymoron, but you should get it). Beginners who do their research should absolutely get kind support. We were all there and many on this board are north of beginner in varying degrees. Beginners who don't do their research should be directed to do so before expecing much wisdom from the oracles (or otherwise) on this board.

I do believe beginner abuse falls into the "pick on someone your own size" category--its just plain mean, unnecsessary and likely only serves to entertain the replier and pump up their likely fragile ego. (This isn't directed at anyone so keep your collective pants on). I won't partake in beginner abuse but will gladly ridicule assholes (glass or otherwise), fools, and republicans (whoops, already mentioned fools!).

Jon Myers
02-20-2008, 02:50 AM
as a 'glassblowing dipshit' myself I was taught many things by Ed when I didn't know shit about blowing glass. Granted, it was not a warm fuzzy sort of learning experience, but as a person who didn't learn to blow first, then build a shop I had all sorts of non fuzzy learning experiences. (I guess I'm still having them just not in glass anymore(thank god for small blessings)(I guess))
Glassblowing strikes me as a redneck gig and you got to be thick skinned around rednecks in the workplace (truckdrivers of the art world and all). At least that's what we tell sniveling noobs here.(toughen up MR Pickled Peppers and wear your sweating cloths to work) I'm with Ed (and the KJV (Rev. 3:16)) on not loving blandness.

Mike Aurelius
02-20-2008, 08:55 AM
I absolutely agree about the not doing the research bit -- if there's one thing that completely hacks me off it is the people who come onto a forum such as this and ask a question that has been answered multiple times with essentially the same answer.

When told to use the search function, they usually respond with "I don't have the time, just tell me the answer."

Those are the folks who deserve getting the 1 cup treatment (if you don't know what that is, don't ask).

But if they have search and have a question on the subject that hasn't been answered, or are looking for a bit more detail, those are the ones that in my opinion truely shine, and are "worthy" taking under one's wing.

Then, there are the folks who live by the urban legends, who refuse to admit that maybe, just maybe, what they know isn't either the whole story, or just plain wrong. Those deserve all the scorn that can be heaped on them. They just won't ever learn.

My two cents, of course... ;)

Pringle Teetor
02-20-2008, 09:11 AM
searching the archives is a good thing - not only can you learn but find you may not be the first to ask the question you are about to post...I used to be afraid to make posts cause some of the guys here seemed a bit brutal - but once I got to know a few, I "got it"....
now if I could just get glassblowing.......