The Learning Curve

Recently, I have been jumping leaps atop of learning curves. Everyday, I learn about particular little things about glassblowing that people never seem to realize, point out or teach. Even though the job only entails glass flowers and ornaments, my hand skills are getting way better! I got some tips from Chrissy Lapman (Alfred graduate) a few days ago that really helped with my color application and "swirling" and today, Amy Ruza (also an Alfred graduate) taught me step by step how she makes an ornament. It helped my progress tenfold.

I am also no longer terrified with demoing and working with guests. Before, I was only comfortable greeting and taking tickets. Now, I can pretty much do all the tasks, which I am quite proud of, since my prior scheme was to never have to make an ornament with a customer throughout the whole summer. Hahaha! I'm still learning and I have yet to get my marvering and pipe turning smoother. Well, I have the whole summer!

In addition to all of that, a good number of international artists are teaching two-week summer classes at The Studio. It's so exciting!! I went to a lecture featuring Shin-ichi and Kimiake Higuchi, pate de verre extraordinaires, and Nick Mount, one of Australia's career-spanning glass artist. I met Nick when I was in Adelaide and he's such a great person to talk and joke around with.

Next stop, GAS CONVENTION PITTSBURGH!! (Yeehaw!!)

Settling In

I'm starting to get the hang of working at The Studio. I think it's mainly because of the awesome people I work with. Besides one particular person, no one talks themselves up or is really annoying. This summer's staff is pretty easy going, which makes the job very stress-less—BUT we can't always feel that about some of our customers! As I told my mom, it's like you get a good sampling of American vacationers and what kind of crazy people are out there. Some people can be SO incredibly particular with their flowers or ornaments that it's almost unbearable at the time, but someone always finds a way to please them.

Other than that, the most unbearable thing at work is when we get a slow day. On these days, we'd be lucky if we get 10 or 20 guests. If we don't have guests, then all we do is side work. Cleaning, shard cutting, paper towel cutting, cleaning, grinding mirrors, bend posts for wind chimes, cleaning, and some more cleaning. The Walk-In-Workshop is immaculate. Some of us even refer to it as "the Cadillac of Hot Shops".

Anyways.

Other Corning/The Studio pluses:

1. Seeing friends at the studio!!

Spencer working on his production line in Hot Shop B with Andrew.

2. Renting time!!

All the Walk-In-Workshop staff get to rent time studio time at the lowest rate. On Wednesday, I rented 4 hours of torch time to make beads. I came out with 70+ beads! Woo!!

Fellow WIW buds, Gary and Andrew renting time in Hot Shop A.

3. Cheap bus service!

It only costs $1 to go to Bath and from there $1.25 to Hornell on the local buses. What a bargain!! I went back to Hornell to visit Alex on Wednesday with Andrew and took the buses back on Thursday. Sure it takes an hour longer because of the bus transfer and local roads, but it's only $2.25!! So forget the Shortline Coach Bus!!

4. NEW FRIENDS!

Since this town gets so boring and most of us are newbies in Corning, making friends is so easy. We try to get together as much as possible so that the boredom doesn't kill us. And joining the YMCA is a MUST. It's just across the street from the museum and summer membership is only $150.

5. Good Eats!

Market Street is full of really nice places to eat, including Aniello's (pizza), Thali of India, and Old Work Cafe and Ice Cream. A bunch of us are going to Garcia's for Mexican food after everyone gets out of work tonight. Wee!!


SO COME AND VISIT ME IN CORNING!! YOU'LL HAVE A PLACE TO STAY!!

Moving On

After two house hunting visits, I will be moving to Corning tomorrow (Sunday) and starting work on Monday. I have everything moved out of my Alfred living space, but I haven't quite finished (or even started on) packing what I will be taking to my new Corning space. I'm trying not to think of it so much because it gets me nervous that I will be starting a REAL job and living on "my own" in a couple of days. Luckily, the new residence is barely 3 blocks away from work.

For all of you that don't know, I will be working at The Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass. (Click for more info.) I'll basically be assisting/making blown glass souvenirs with CMOG visitors. There will be three stations indoors and when the weather gets even better, we'll have two stations outdoors. I think that working this job 5 days a week will drive me a bit nuts, but with all the evenings free and two days off, I think I will have other fun things to occupy my time and mind.

Other plans:

Take driving lessons.

Learn to sew and spin my own yarn.

Make positives!! (for casts)

Start and finish past projects.

Research (and maybe apply for) residency programs and graduate schools.

And please, friends—VISIT ME!! You'll have a place to stay!!