Great Gathers

Since getting glass out of the furnace is part of every piece of glass you'll ever make, gathering really well is the single most influential thing you can do to put your pieces on the path to success. 

Especially as a renter, there are often conditions in the hotshop beyond your control, like the how full the furnace happens to be or the type and temperature of the glass. But focus what you can control, and a good-looking gather is possible in pretty much any situation. Follow the steps in these 3 videos and you'll see an immediate improvement in the quality of everything you make.

VIDEO 1 (9 minutes)

Introduces a critical concept about why the gather is so important and such a golden opportunity that shouldn't be squandered. Specifically, that you're pulling more heat -not just more material- from the furnace. I explain why doing that well helps the rest of the piece go smoothly and why doing it poorly virtually ensures that you're in for a struggle.

VIDEO 2 (17 minutes)

We lift the veil on what's actually happening inside the furnace and make it easy to understand. Once you can control the nuances of depth, quantity and distribution, your gathers will be looking perfect right from the very start.

VIDEO 3 (15 minutes)

Lays out a step-by-step methodology covering what to do with your body to get in and get out with a gather that's on center and under control. These are the foundational steps that I follow every time I start a piece, no matter the ultimate object. 

PRINTABLE TIP SHEETS

All the most important principles and steps right at your fingertips.