For sure. Feel free to reach out with any questions and check out the UHG series at www.glassblowersguide.com if you haven't already.

Check out www.glassblowersguide.com for that and more.

Theoretically I suppose it’s possible to just cap and then heat the heck out of the pipe enough that air in the pipe heats up and expands into a starter bubble… but practically, you’re really gonna want to put a little puff in there first for a whole bunch of reasons.

Amazing words Dante, this resonates with me!

Keep making amazing art dude!

Issues of thickness are generally addressed in the UHG instructional course available at www.GlassblowersGuide.com. In fact, I even do tailored instruction for people who have purchased that series and want to know more about applying fundamental principles to specific topics, such as this one. So I'd encourage you to check that out. But in general if you have thick lips that necessitate a lot of work on the punty, then you may want to look closely at what you're doing on the blowpipe... Tweezing, trimming, and puffing are good tools to take down thickness, but even better (esp. if you are not allowed to use a puffer) might be to make sure that you're blowing something thinish to begin with so that it doesn't require a lot of work after the transfer. That's just one thought, but how does that resonate with you?

I’d love to oblige! Actually have a couple that have been on the back burner for a long time... maybe time to finish them up and get them posted. In the meantime, I’m assuming you know there’s a whole 6 hour series available at www.GlassblowersGuide.com. Check it out if not!

Thanks for the compliment on the videos and your interest in gathering! I actually made a 3 part mini-series course on gathering (and also on how to marver) that are available on the www.GlassblowersGuide.com website!

High praise coming from one of the best explainers in the game! Congrats on having some of your excellent drawings included in that upcoming Oldknow/Warmus book, by the way!

Thanks! Hope it helps get you quickly on the path to controlling the final shape.

Thanks for the compliment, Mark! I do my best.

Thanks for the compliment. Will do!

You know, I probably should have at least shown that but I just really wanted to focus on a good setup, which is what makes the actual opening easy. One day I'll make a video specifically about doing just though!

Yeah interesting how going left hand changes some things though the big principles are much the same. I'm right handed and stick to the traditional ways of doing things on big stuff, though often switch to the other side of the pipe at the gloryhole just to even my body out a little and sometimes to make sitting back down easier (cause you just have to back up, basically). Felt awkward when I first started doing it, but eventually you figure it out and then that's just another tool in the toolbox, you know...

Michelle Plucinsky thanks for the compliments, Michelle! If you're looking for even more training videos, visit www.GlassblowersGuide.com/courses.html and you'll find a 6 hour, 22 lesson course designed for intermediate/advanced level glassblowers. There's lots more info in there than I can fit in these shorter YT videos!

Chris Stowe You're very welcome!

I will look forward to seeing more of them.

By the way, Chris, I do sell a 6+ hour instructional video series that's meant to help intermediate-level glassblowers really reach that next level of understanding and ability. You can check out www.GlassblowersGuide.com to find a link for that. Feel free to email me if you've got questions.

Glassblower's Guide I will check it out! Thanks!

Thanks Paul... and also thanks for all the time you spent digging up info for me at the Rakow Library. You librarians make it so easy to take advantage of that fantastic resource!

Your welcome Nicolaj. Anytime, we are always happy to help!