benb62•1d ago

Swore off team builds after a bad commission, but a mentor changed my view

I always thought doing glassblowing solo was the only way to keep quality high. After a messy group project where things got heated, I avoided team stuff for years. Then my old teacher asked me to help on a big museum piece. I was skeptical, but seeing how we shared ideas and caught each other's mistakes changed everything. Now I actually seek out collaborations because the end result is often better. It's not just about speed, it's about learning from others too. I guess I was too proud to admit that before. That one project really opened my eyes to how good teamwork can be in this craft.

3 comments

3 Comments

jade_west1d ago

I'd expect more cool heads when things get heated in glassblowing.

thompson.anna1d ago

Tell me about it! I'm usually the one dropping the gather because my hands get too jittery. Guess I'm proof that the room stays cool but the artist doesn't always follow.

david_knight34m ago

My friend, usually the calmest guy in the shop, snapped when his piece wouldn't center right. He rushed the reheat and the whole thing went brittle in seconds. So much for cool heads when the glass is literally hot.