HotBreath Magazine Issue 14 by HotBreath Magazine

ISSUE 14

AUG/SEPT

st. Elmo’s fire Studio Spotlight including an interview with Salt

DEGENERATE FLAME OFF 6th Annual Functional Art Glass Competition from the Underground

$8.95 US

shop spotlight Featuring The "Piece of Mind Experience"

16”X 20” POSTER by Voorhees HOTBREATHMAGAZINE.COM

Issue 14 Content

P16

Boots Photography by Jamie Zill Glass Photography

Shop Spotlight: 6th Annual Piece of Mind DFO

DFO

Tool Review

Hello, My Name Is

Lightbox Photos

p.16

p.38

p.50

p.55

p.56

Travel with Hotbreath to the great state of Washington for our exclusive interview with Piece of Mind owner Justin Wilson.

In Memory of Michael ‘Mermonkey’ Steeler (19682014), Cornerstone Glass and Northstar Glassworks present The 6th Annual DFO

Competing pipe makers showcase their talent.

Find out what’s hot in hand torches from Ross of ABR Imagery.

Band names. Where do they come from? Take a seat and listen up! These are the stories of legends.

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HB Product Reviews p.62

What’s hot and what’s not? We have the answers. Sample the goods with Dankman.

Studio Spotlight: St. Elmo’s Fire p.64 50

This Austin, TX glass studio is world class. Join us for an incendiary Q&A with illustrious crew member, Salt.

Gemini Andy

p.84 Q&A with Hotbreath’s featured Piper

Fredrick Faerron

p.88 Q&A with Hotbreath’s featured Marble Maker

Jerry Kelly

p.92 Q&A with Hotbreath’s featured Murrine Maker

On the Cover...

ISSUE

Salt’s winner for the Creative and Technical Awards at this year’s DFO. Photo by Wind Home Photography

14 POSTER The Work of

Voorhees

As seen at Piece of Mind Glass Shop Photography by Jamie Zill

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COSMIC

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EGO TECH

EMPIRE GLASSWORKS

GLASSPHEMY

GLASSROOTS

GOURMET INNOVATIONS

22, 23

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GSM DISTRIBUTING

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HOT VAPES

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MAGNUM DETOX MGW MIKE’S WORLDWIDE, INC.

INSIDE FRONT COVER, 1, 2, 3, 9, 15, 27, 75, 91 73 4, 5

PIPER DAN BENWAY

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SKEYE WHOLESALE

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SPARK BUTANE

SWEET TOOTH

THC

VAPE WORLD

BACK COVER

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HOTBREATHMAGAZINE.COM advertising@hotbreathmagazine.com 800.375.2005

CREDITS/CONTACTS

Current Photo: Robin Hood Photo by Jamie Zill

PUBLISHER Brady D.

Publisher@HotBreathMagazine.com

SALES

1.800.375.2005

Kevin Dankman Kevin@HotBreathMagazine.com Ilma

Ilma@HotBreathMagazine.com

Crista

Crista@HotBreathMagazine.com

Vince

Vince@HotBreathMagazine.com

ART Ty Lookwell Dash Carlisle

art@HotBreathMagazine.com

ISSUE 14 CONTRIBUTORS Photography ARey Photography Jamie Zill Photography Wind Home Photography Davis Finn James Gemini Andy Ben Ramsey Nick Flavin Kevin Dankman Writing Dash Carlisle ARey Photography Kevin Dankman Ross

ALL ADVERTISING IN HOTBREATH MAGAZINE IS PAID FOR BY THE ADVERTISER AND VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN ADS ARE NOT NECESSARILY THAT OF HB PUBLISHING LLC. FURTHER, EDITORIAL OPINIONS AND VIEWS EXPRESSED IN HOTBREATH MAGAZINE ARE THOSE OF THE RESPECTIVE WRITERS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THOSE OF HB PUBLISHING LLC. HB PUBLISHING LLC. DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY THAT ANY OF THE STATEMENTS MADE IN ANY ADVERTISEMENT OR EDITORIAL IN HOTBREATH MAGAZINE IS IN FACT ACCURATE OR TO BE RELIED UPON.

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Piece of Mind

Lightbox Photography by Jamie Zill JLZILL.com

IN THE SUMMER OF 1997 YOU AND TWO FRIENDS OPENED THE ORIGINAL PIECE OF MIND IN SPOKANE, WASHINGTON. TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE EARLY YEARS OF POM. In the Summer I was in graduate school unsure of my future. I was selling things to make ends meet and a pipe store seemed like a good way to make a legitimate living. Piece of Mind was a common thread throughout my MBA program. I did my thesis on marketing the store to the local town of Spokane. I was selling whatever I could get my

Interview with Justin Wilson

hands on at the Gorge, mostly hemp necklaces and beads, but pipes were becoming more common. I was lucky enough to have friends in both Eugene and Bellingham and started getting glass from Bob and his apprentices as well as Ivan, Brock, Scott and Marcel. Dosher was another local favorite of mine in the early years. Glass was brand new to Spokane and POM was fortunate to catch the wave of initial popularity.

JUST THREE SHORT YEARS AFTER THE ORIGINAL POM OPENED YOU INTRODUCED

TWO MORE POM LOCATIONS, ONE IN NORTH SPOKANE AND THE OTHER IN THE SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD OF FREMONT. THIS IS AROUND THE SAME TIME THAT THE PIECE OF MIND FAMILY WAS BORN. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE POM FAMILY? I was about to have my first child (Sekaya, born 11/9/2000) so I opened the North store to help secure our future. Fremont actually opened in 2003. The early years were fun, but the family started when Quinn and I got going into

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the Seattle market. I had surrounded myself with good people, he was doing the same across the state and the result was a growing network of cool people working together and caring about each other. This family feel has been our recipe for successful growth too. Once learning about POM and falling in love with its culture, our employees have taken this vision to places like Missoula, Bend, Tacoma and Anchorage.

Almost two decades later, the first POM store continues to thrive. What are some of the milestone memories from the OG location? Week #1 still makes me smile. I had no idea what I was doing,but the Spokane Valley came in force to support. The

first time I sold a pipe over $100 was HUGE! It was almost unheard of back in the 90s.. especially in “Spokompton”. Our 10 year anniversary for both the Spokane and Seattle markets were great fuckin’ parties too man, and the continued support that the OG location still has today makes me smile.

POM currently has 14 locations spread throughout 5 States. That’s some serious growth! POM’s emphasis on family and hard work certainly begs the question: How do you balance everything? Sadly we only have 12 current locations. A couple have been closed and HI is still in negotiations. It’s all about strong partnerships and great management. The

family vibe rings true especially with the vested interest our network takes on. Our local managers own their markets. We have a Buddhist vision of growth. We basically have a general philosophy of how a store should fit into a market and it’s up to our local team to make that vision a reality. Rather than a hard set of rules and regulations (which I am not a fan of ), we like to nurture individual creativity and freedom to make this company bigger and better, along the way to our own happiness. Like any great man, I have a great woman behind me. I know the same is true of Quinn. I’m sure we drive them crazy when we bring home 15 new ideas every night and expect them to keep up with our business brains.

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Darby

One of POM’s newest shops is located in Anchorage, Alaska. With more than 40% of Alaska’s population living in Anchorage, POM’s expansion into The Last Frontier makes total sense. What’s the scene like in the subarctic? Anchorage has been a market that Quinn and I had our sights set on for a little while, but was a logistic nightmare with neither of us living there. This is a good example of our free form growth concept. We had a location, we had financing in place but local management fell through. One of our managers’ friends happened to be from there and loved what he saw in our company. Training took place to see if he was a fit both philosophically and on a business front. Turns out he fit right in and the Alaska market has responded very positively. The scene is growing and POM is happy to take part in that evolution. I always liked that Anchorage had a similar vibe to Spokane and it seemed that success in Alaska would follow. So far so good. Continued on page 24

Handmade in Oregon

www.sweettoothglass.com sweettoothglass@yahoo.com 541.345.7777

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I understand that some of the POM locations have the benefit of on-site glass blowing facilities. Do you have plans to include studio space in every location? Who works in these facilities? I started a studio next to Piece of Mind North in Spokane called the Funky Buddha. Royal and Doc helped me immensely in this foreign territory. Managing artists in a studio setting has its own very unique set of challenges and I sold that studio after just a couple years. Funky Buddha Glass is alive and well under new ownership and management. It is still very much a part of the family just without the stress:) I would like to see glassblowing be more of the Piece of Mind Experience, and we are working to fit it more effectively into a mutually beneficial formula.

Cowboy

Do you blow glass? I can blow glass but I’m terrible at it and haven’t done so in over a decade. After learning in the late 90s, it quickly became apparent my skills were better suited on the business end of things. I like to think I gain a higher appreciation of the art form since I’m unable to make the magic happen:)

POM has an incredible collection of America’s finest art glass. Who are some of your favorite stand out artists? This is tough! People like JD and Dosher have helped me as artists and as liaisons to the pipe culture. Scott Deppe has been a long time favorite of mine and I have been fortunate enough to see his body of work evolve first-hand over the years. Banjo and JAG are two others that I’m

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particularly fond of. Royal and Doc have been very supportive of Piece of Mind, and their art rocks too.

Tyme

I’m proud to call all of them friends.

The POM Philosophy is built around passion, creativity, contribution and community involvement. How does POM give back, furthering the global glass culture? Piece of Mind likes to support the local music and art scene. We make it a point to support the local glass artists whole heartedly by buying their glass and refusing to sell imports. We also donate to many local charities. The POM Family has been instrumental in starting the Evergreen State Project. This is a nonprofit that puts on events like the BoroDerby to raise money for local Washington state charities. Brando came

up with this idea to race glass cars down a Pinewood Derby track, and we are proud to be holding the 3rd annual race at 7Point Studios in Seattle, September 27-28, 2014.

Tyme

Can collectors shop POM online? Collectors can shop Piece of Mind online through social media now, but pieceofmindonline.com is set to launch early August. This will grow into a full E-commerce site.

American glass artists continue to reinvent and reinterpret the art of glass blowing. What is your prediction for the future of functional glass? It’s hard to say but I am certain that the art of functional glass blowing is still on the rise. Today’s talent is Continued on page 28

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Scoz

Frankie Hess

Buck

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Robin Hood

Jeff Melitz

pushing the envelope and breaking new ground almost daily! Whatever predictions I could make will surely pale in comparison to what the artists will create... I’m excited to see it though!!

Albert Einstein once said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value”. POM has a collective mantra which emphasizes, “what we are doing is of value to society”. This shared mindset has no doubt played a large part in POM’s success. Who are your entrepreneurial and philanthropic heroes? My heroes are more in the artistic, creative, philosophic and leadership world. John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Salvador Dali, DaVinci, Nikolai Tesla, Aristotle, JFK, Winston Churchill to name a few.These guys moved the mind sets of their respective time periods forward simply because they knew it was of inherent importance.They were not afraid to think outside of the box. I respect that. Taking risks is what it is all about.

Lawdog Nick Lawson

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Scoz

Washington has been home to many incredible bands. The Melvins, Queensrÿche, Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, Soundgarden, Sunn O))), Mudhoney (to name a few) all hail from The Evergreen State. Does POM have a Wall of Fame? And Pearl Jam too (lol), my personal fave. I shook Eddie Vedder’s hand once and I was just beaming the rest of the night. One of the best nights my wife and I ever had. We will now have a wall of fame, GREAT fuckin’ idea!!! We did have Hendrix painted on one of our walls but he looked more like a 1970s reject from the Harlem Globe Trotters, so we covered it with a shelf of water pipes:)

What does the future hold for POM? Do you plan on opening more POM stores? Yes. I have admittedly made a few mistakes moving too quickly. Again, without taking risks we would not move forward. If I ran every time I was scared we would still just have two shops and the competition would have swallowed us up. Quinn is my voice of reason in regards to sustainable growth. He is my go-to friend and business partner whenever I need validation or just to vent. We at least have the luxury of learning from those mistakes and the company is stronger for that. Mothership

pieceofmind.net facebook.com/PieceOfMindSpokaneValley

888.546.3111 Call For New 2014 Catalog 32

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Gordman

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T Funk

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Jake C

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Boots

Voorhees

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Robin Hood

6th Annual Degenerate Flame OFF

Article by

Kevin Dankman Photography by

ARey Photography

DFO

steps it up

he rain was pounding my car and the fog thicker than pea soup as I arrived in Eugene, Oregon for the Degenerate Flame Off, better known as The DFO. Those of you who are not familiar with the DFO, it is an annual flame workers competition for pipe makers to showcase their talent. It takes place at Cornerstone Glass and Studio located in the Fermentation District of Eugene. It was a hairy drive from the exit off Interstate 5 to Matt Whiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house, where I was staying the night. Tight corners, low visibility and a tremendous rain storm impeded travel. Past trips have always been unseasonably nice conditions, so I was a little worried we may have a rainy DFO. As the morning came and the sun rose it was obvious the weather was turning around for us. Arriving at Cornerstone I could instantly see that it had expanded, they had the road blocked off! There were food trucks lining the streets and a large stage setup in the old VIP Parking area. DFO 2014 was a massive show, and it was about to begin. You could feel the excitement welling up as fans and flame workers lined up outside the gate, just waiting to be let in. They could be the first to score a new color or a new rig. The raw material guys bring the newest experimental things out to this show. The retail shops and glass blowers also bring the very best in new collectable pieces for sale. What amazed me most was the staff teamwork. The crew at Cornerstone stepped up to the challenge of event management with Walkie Talkies for communicating and brightly colored Staff shirts. It was one big collaborative effort. Abe Fleishman, Ashley and Justin clearly had Kinnich, Joe, and Deb working their tails off alongside the rest of the great crew at Cornerstone. With such a great amount of talent from around the globe in attendance it was sure to be a glass spectacular. Of course, the competitors made sure it was. As with any Competition there was a fair share of unexpected cracks, drops and breaks. Each contestant gave it their all and you could see Continued on page 46

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it in each face as they finished their pieces, the sweat pouring from their brow. They were truly exhausted from all the hard work put into each piece. One by one the competitors finished, the crowd roaring loudly with approval. As the final seconds ticked away the last piece entered the kiln. Gasps of relief rolled over the collective crowd of competitors, artists, and fans. The competition came to a momentary halt awaiting the voting process. When all the pieces were safely in the box it was time for the party to start. The stage area lit up with music from great acts like international recording star Michael Rose. Marcel Braun pulled the Dragon out. If you didn’t know about the Dragon...it’s a portable Borosilicate glory-hole. You can work borosilicate glass like working soft glass in a hot shop. Charles Lowrie and many other top artists took turns in helping assemble a gigantic vessel to commemorate the passing of Michael “Mermonkey” Steeler, one of the event founders. Mer was a kind and gentle soul. I had the privilege of speaking with him at length over the years. We would talk about the event and its origins. The party went late into the night as Mer’s friends and family all attached a piece to the biggest collab I have ever seen. I lost count at 30+ artists and friends. After a late Sunday morning start the judging was under way. The people were streaming through the judging area, being urged not to linger as the line was very long this year! The next feature was a huge upgrade for the event, i-Pad voting made it quick and easy for all involved. The votes were easy to cast and just as easy to tabulate recognizing a clear winner in the end, last years Pipe Classic 8 Winner and Issue 11 star Ben Burton! Ben assembled a fantastical Peacock with some of the best looking peacock feathers I have ever seen. The pattern was so well thought out, you could tell Ben had planned this out thoroughly. Ben used his time wisely and was able to win the imagination of the crowd. The Technical & Creative Award was given to Salt for his sculpted figure tossing the peace sign to the air. The color and cool factor was amazing on this piece. The rest of the contestants all brought their A-Game. From the RainBow Bright/ My Little Pony inspired piece by ACE, (the only female contestant this year), to Merc’s out of this world alien wormipede, or the sleek and stylish Black and Red natural perc’d

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piece from Tyson Peltzer, the pieces were all amazingly different. With so many artists in attendance to demo as well as compete, it is hard to name them all directly, but it was amazing to have them all working together. I was able to get a signature on almost every cover of HotBreath Magazine from Issue 1 to issue 13 (all but one of the artists pictured were in attendance). Sorry, N8 Miers you missed out on signing the Commemorative 13 issue DFO Set. To learn more and see more pictures from the DFO check visit www.CornerstoneGlass.com/dfo Or give them a call at 541-341-1788.

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flameoff lightbox Lightbox Photos by Wind Home Photography facebook.com/EugeneGlassPhotography?ref=br_tf

People's Choice Winner

Burtoni

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Creative and Technical Awards Winner

SALT

J-RED

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Elbo

Bishop

Merc

Kurt B

Tyson Peltzer

Chad G

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Hops

Quave

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Ryno

Slop

Punty

2 Stroke

ACE

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Hello,

My Name is...

The Stories Behind Band Names

Duran Duran Every Science Fiction fan has seen the 1968 film, Barbarella. Jane Fonda plays the role of Barbarella, a sexy and futuristic cosmonaut deployed to Tau Ceti to extradite the evil Doctor Durand Durand back to Earth. Inspired by the classic Sci-Fi film, club owner and rock band promotor Eddie Fewtrell opened a nightclub in Birmingham, UK called Barbarella’s. The musicians that would ultimately form Duran Duran played at Barbarella’s throughout the 1970s. The bandmate’s enthusiasm for the Sci-Fi cult movie coupled with their gig history at Barbarella’s led them to the band name Duran Duran.

Daft Punk In 1992, Guy-Manuel de HomemChristo and Thomas Bangalter were creating and releasing music under the band name Darlin’. Melody Maker, the now defunct United Kingdom weekly pop/rock music newspaper, gave the the Darlin’ recordings a negative review, calling their music “a daft punky thrash”. Music critics can be pretty harsh. After all, it’s easier to criticize than it is to create. Slightly discouraged by the Melody Maker review, Darlin’ turned lemons into lemonade when they decided to regroup with a new sound and a new name, Daft Punk.

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These Athens, GA new wave rock mega stars drew inspiration from multiple sources when coining the band name The B-52’s. Bandmates Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson proudly sported the Beehive (The B), a hairstyle throwback from the 1960s. This “big hair” revitalization was influenced by two 18th Century hair styles, the pompadour and the bouffant. Their band name is also a direct reference to the United States Air Force strategic bomber, The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. This oddly juxtaposed inspiration perhaps sheds some light on the genre-bending musical stylings of The B-52’s.

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Jethro Tull

Lead singer and flute slinger Ian Anderson knows a thing or two about persistence. The humble beginnings of Ian’s musical journey can be traced back to his first band Blades, which was formed in 1962. In 1964 the band changed their name to the John Evan Band, switched genres, and three years later relocated from Blackpool, England to Luton, a borough of Bedfordshire just north of London. Enlisting help from a booking agency, Ian and his bandmates began landing

club gigs in London and Liverpool. Unfortunately the club owners rarely offered the band a repeat booking. In an effort to keep the musicians working, the agency would book repeat shows using fabricated band names. One booking agent, a self described history buff, scored the band a gig using the name Jethro Tull. While playing under the name Jethro Tull, the band received its first ever invitation to play a repeat show. This breakthrough opportunity inspired the band to continue playing under the name Jethro Tull. History enthusiasts may recall that the Englishman, Jethro Tull was an 18th century agricultural pioneer and creator of the seed drill and horse-drawn hoe, inventions that helped shape modern farming.

the result of secret German weapons, however, German and Japanese pilots were reporting similar sightings.

Foo Fighters Stories of extraterrestrial encounters can be found throughout recorded human history. Scientists, acclaimed scholars, military leaders and civilians have for centuries looked to the stars in an effort to find definitive answers to one of life’s greatest mysteries. During World War II, allied aircraft

pilots reported bizarre aerial UFO incidents. First seen in 1944 while flying over Germany, pilots reported strange glowing lights flying in formation and playfully interacting with military aircraft. The glowing objects were impervious to gunfire and would change direction or disappear without warning. Due to the intelligent behavior of these UFO’s, pilots suspected that the strange phenomenon was

The term “foo” was a nonsensical word popularized by 1930s comic strips such as Smokey Stover, Looney Tunes, and Pogo. Smokey Stover’s catch phrase, “where there’s foo, there’s fire” was fresh on the mind of Donald J. Meiers, a radar operator for the U.S. 415th Night Fighter Squadron during a mission debriefing on November 27, 1944. Frustrated by the inexplicable flying objects Meiers exclaimed, “it was another one of those fuckin’ foo fighters” before storming out of the room. Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl is either a believer, a history nut or perhaps he just liked how the name sounded. Keep your eyes open.....the truth is out there.

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Lynyrd Skynyrd Say what you will about the State of Florida but the Sunshine State has blessed the world with some pretty amazing music. Taste makers and southern rock kings Lynyrd Skynyrd grew up in the city of Jacksonville, Florida- officially forming their band in 1966 while attending Robert E. Lee High School. Much to the chagrin of school officials, bandmates Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Bob Burns all sported the long-haired hippy look, an un-welcomed style that violated the school’s conservative dress code. Ex-Army gym teacher Leonard Skinner was a real straight shooter and had zero tolerance for the bandmate’s lackluster compliance with the school codes. Skinner was not a fan of the boy’s style and sent the band to the principal’s office simply for having long hair. Amused by the ridiculousness of the situation, the bandmates would secretly mock Skinner, ultimately changing their band name to Lynyrd Skynyrd as a flippant homage to the uptight PhysEd teacher.

Pantera In 1981 the Abbott Brothers, “Dimebag Darrell” and “Vinny Paul”, formed a glam metal group under the name Pantera’s Metal Magic. One year later the band decided to shorten the name to Pantera. The name was inspired by

Dimebag Darrell’s car, a De Tomaso Pantera. Beautiful to look at but terribly unreliable, the Italian V8 sports car was imported by Ford for the American market. The poorly built imports were notorious for breaking down and their crash test ratings left much to be desired. It has been reported that Elvis Presley, also a Pantera owner, frustratingly shot his car when it failed to start.

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AC/DC No shocker here- the name AC/DC comes from the electrical terms alternating current/ direct current. Thomas Edison, the godfather of American innovation, created a direct current electricity distribution system in the late 1800s. The DC battery system was eventually replaced by AC generators because AC is stronger, safer and can be modified by the use of a transformer. Founding band members Angus and Malcolm saw the abbreviated notation, AC/DC on a sewing machine and decided it was a fitting name for their group.

List of band name etymologies (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_ of_band_name_etymologies&oldid=616607743), by Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)/ Remixed and built upon from the original The B-52’s (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Cite&page=The_B52’s&id=612292382), by Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY 4.0 (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)/ Remixed and built upon from the original Daft Punk (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Daft_ Punk&oldid=617919366), by Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)/ Remixed and built upon from the original Foo Fighter (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Foo_ fighter&oldid=615987119), by Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)/ Remixed and built upon from the original Jethro Tull (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jethro_Tull_ (band)&oldid=618138403) , by Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)/ Remixed and built upon from the original Lynyrd Skynyrd (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lynyrd_ Skynyrd&oldid=617512225, by Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)/ Remixed and built upon from the original De Tomaso Pantera (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=De_Tomaso_ Pantera&oldid=617070073), by Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)/ Remixed and built upon from the original

“All the years combine, they melt into a dream”

Daniel Benway Dreamland Series 2014 instagram/piperdanielbenway facebook/piperdanglass

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HotBreath

Product Reviews

by Kevin Dankman

I look at the product like I look at the car. Each one is different and judged on its own qualities. I broke it down into five separate points to discuss. 1. Curb appeal. How it looks on the shelf. 2. Tactile desire. How it feels. 3. Intelligence. How it works. 4. Trend appeal. Is it current? 5. Would I use it?

Rooster Apparatus Proton The first product we are reviewing today will be the Rooster Apparatus Proton. These mini tubes have a very appealing basic shape to them, almost a teardrop with a bent neck. This mini is a top quality tube with a very attractive multicolored bake on label. The weight and form of this piece make it one of the best handling pipes I have used in recent months. The bowl is far enough away from your face that you don’t feel the heat on your nose, and you do not struggle to get the dab on the large provided quartz nail.

At first I was a bit skeptical about Dave Goldstein’s frit disc percolator, the small openings and extreme diffusion seemed vulnerable to clogging and increased drag. Boy was I wrong! This thing hits smooth and free with no issues. It has earned my respect as a great daily driver. Mini and extreme percolation are two of the hottest trends out there. Plenty of perc to smooth the hit and mini enough to work on the go. Yeah, that’s what the kids are looking for these days! Testing this piece was quite a fun adventure. From Chalice through CHAMPS I road tested this baby, you could definitely say I adopted this one as my own. To contact Rooster Apparatus find them on the web at www. roosterapparatus.com or give them a call at (503)-253-0764

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Curse Glass torch attachment

From Curse Glass, we have the newest innovation in glass torch tubes. This torch tube is not a basic knock-off of the Steve Bates and Hitman Torches, it is a truly unique spin on that technology. Curse has made a Glass Torch attachment that can fit almost any tube! This thing is sleek and oozes cool. Once in the shop and on the shelf I can definitely see this being asked for over and over again. Let the demoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s begin! The first time I used it I was in love, it was easy to light and not intimidating to newbies at all. The single-nob adjustment is intuitive and easy to handle. This piece is as easy as a lighter to light. Once heated it was easy to use, and there was little excess heat to bother you. Unlike many of the other glass torch tubes I have tried this did not feel like I was holding a bomb! Torch tubes have been a hit on the scene for the last few years, but this innovation may make it even bigger. This tube is economical as well as it will be a hit with the collector scene. I have found most torch tubes to be cumbersome and dangerous and would likely never use one if I had it. That being said; I would rock this thing on a daily basis! It is so easy to use, and a portable version could fit many of the headiest rigs.

vape tool mini rigs

The next item up on the block for review is from our friends at VapeTool. The folks over at VapeTool recently released their own line of Mini Rigs with an interesting spin, they come with attachments for your Vape pen as well as the standard Quartz dome-less nail (or even a traditional bowl piece). They look great and have tons of great selling points. Each one of the designs incorporate easy to handle and use shapes. The Inkwell was by far my favorite feeling piece. It had a good volume of water and fit my larger hands best. All the minis were very functional and designed to work well. The Vape pen attachment worked very well and I was able to get great hits that were almost as good as a real dab. Mini waterpipes are one of the largest categories in glass these days. That combined with Vape Pens...sure sounds like a winner to me. Combining two great trends into one can only be good for sales. The new line of Mini Rigs are really great little pieces. I would definitely use them as a daily driver. I would particularly use the Vape Pen attachment most as I think it is a great way to make your own electronic rig.

For more information on VapeTool feel free to contact them at www.vapetool.com or give them a call at (855) 224-6002

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HotBreath Studio Spotlight

ST. ELMO'S FIRE Austin, Texas Interview and Photos by

by ARey Photography *Additional Photography by Davis Finn James

ST. ELMO'S Austin, Texas

fter visiting with my grandson Lincoln in Round Rock for a few days, it was time to head down Interstate 35 to southern Austin on a sweltering hot and muggy day. The warehouse building where St. Elmo’s Studio is located was discreet and unassuming. Walking in, I noticed the vast 4,800 square feet two-level area that is the workshop for eleven glass blowers. The space was one of the largest, most wellplanned and laid out studios I’ve seen. One could tell there was plenty of thought in the flow of the main workspace and the surrounding individual rooms. These artists were here to stay.

Salt • Snic • JMass • Kind • Chris Carlson • Lift • Tron • Rude Boy Glass • C. Dot • Mr. Smith • Shawn Jawn • Justin • Sarah

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St. Elmo’s SALT Interview Salt

Where are you from and how long have you been a glass artist? What’s up? I’m Salt and I’m from Austin, Texas. I’ve been blowing glass since May 2001, so it’s been thirteen years now.

What has influenced your work? A lot of different stuff influences my work currently and in the past. In the beginning when I decided to become Salt and make pipes again, I was trying to do anything but what was already happening in the pipe world. I felt that a lot of people were being influenced by only other pipes, thus many pieces looked very similar. I have always been compelled to make these sorts of creatures. Within my own imagination I created an entire world. I start out making one type of thing and as the ideas progress, it evolves into something else. I let the ideas grow, being influenced by the natural progression and the ideas of evolution. I imagine in my mind that these pieces are real. I imagine what they eat, how they move, and how they would evolve on the longer timeline. That has been my compass. Currently I’m definitely influenced by my good friends in the pipe game. My business partner Snic and I are always bouncing ideas off of each other. The Joe P’s, the Elbo’s and the Banjo’s of the world definitely influenced my desire and what I want to make. I feel like the up-and-comers who are making new and exciting things and shifting the paradigm influence my work as well. I am intrigued by the idea of coming up with something new and innovative and I feel that will always have an influence.

How do you think your philosophy differs from that of other glass artists? Do you mean my personal philosophy in relation to other artists’ philosophy? First of all, I want to make as much work as possible because I feel each piece I make is a chance to connect with another human Continued on page 70

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602-374-2447 Tools@theblastshield.com

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Salt

Snic

Tron

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being or maybe multiple beings. My calling is to make these objects and have them create relationships and conversations between people. Going back to the idea of evolution, in the beginning I made a combination of my aesthetic and what was within my capability. I was limited to that realm. Now I have used different products and the techniques that I was putting into those to teach myself what I really wanted to be able to do. By testing, trying, and making them work, my skills have evolved through the evolution of my product. I am not limited by those skills, I’m just able to really tap into what I want to make. So in essence I use one aspect of the pipe making process“production”in order to allow me to make more elaborate things that are more like passion projects. I believe in working hard and taking things to the next level in every way that I can, both in making my own product, creating value for the shop and building a good business relationship with clients. That is my philosophy. Innovation, growth, and creating value.

How has the 2012 release of Degenerate Art affected Austin’s glass community? I’m not sure that I could characterize how the release of Degenerate Art in 2012 affected the local community, but this one time I was sitting at lunch in Penland School of Craft in North Carolina (which is a major crafts school) and a lady who I didn’t know at all was there for a weaving class. She was talking about watching documentaries with her husband on Netflix and mentioned this one about flame working and pipe making and asked if I had heard of Degenerate Art. I had this funny moment where I got to tell her that I was in the movie and she asked a bunch of questions. The point here is, she probably would have never known about us without the movie.

Why is preserving the glass art culture important to you? That’s a good question. It’s easier to tell you what the glass art culture means to me. I think the answer is obvious in that it is my source of income and my creative outlet. It’s the way I’ve connected with a lot of the Continued on page 74

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Salt

Lift Glass

Snic

Chris Carlson & Buck

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Kind

people I’m closest to. It’s a catharsis for me to be able to get on the torch and a lot of what I do is to put whatever is bothering me or what’s going on in my life into my work. It’s kind of like therapy in a way. I really love it, and I think it’s something which I’m really proud to be a part of. I feel lucky to live in the age where I can make these amazing things out of glass that I love so much and that other people like too. In essence, it represents my connection and my contribution to the world at large. It is utterly important.

Does the piece give birth to the story or does the story give birth to the piece? It’s the chicken or the egg, right? It’s hard to say because there’s no single answer. A lot of times it’s sort of happening at the same time. I think that whatever I’m making and the way that I make it, I just let the idea flow through me. It’s going to be what it is and sometimes the story occurs to me before or after, or sometimes even during. It doesn’t really matter. The story and the piece are parts of a single thought.

How have you changed or streamlined your process from the time when you began? I’ve changed a lot of the things that I do and the way that I do them since I began. There are too many to really count. The way that I work is a constant process of evolution within the technique, the product and the ways I move forward with it. I’m always trying new things. Better, more efficient and faster ways of creating pieces. I strive to make things that are more detailed in order to stay interested and fresh.

How do you feed your creativity when you reach a pause in the creative process? Whenever I’m feeling blocked, the best thing for me is to slow down and take some time off and get in touch with what’s really important to me, what I want and what I decide to make. I have the tools and skills now to make almost anything happen. I just have to be honest with myself about what I really want to make. Sometimes I’m just getting in my own way and need to step back. Continued on page 82

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GreenLeaf Magazine

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Photography by Jerry Krecicki

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3/24/14 9:56 PM

*Salt

Rude Boy & Tron

Rude Boy & Kind

Kind

*Salt

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Snic & Zach P

Lift Glass

Chris Carlson

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How does working on a collaboration with other artists transcend the outcome of the piece? Collaboration is an interesting aspect of the pipe game that is really not a part of any other medium that I’m aware of other than maybe music. Our inclination and ability to come together and mix our styles lends itself to a different sort of thing. It’s not just making something. It’s the interaction with that other person, what you learn from them and vice versa, plus how working on one piece of glass directly influences your style. The overall outlook is hitched on to their trailer as well as theirs to yours for the duration of

that piece, which changes you hopefully for the better as an artist and craftsman. The camaraderie and sense of community speak to the special nature of our movement and it’s chosen medium, thus transcending the concept and aesthetic of the object.

What special meaning does the Armadillo Art Glass Initiative have for you? Armadillo Art Glass Initiative is awesome because it’s one of these new programs within the glass community that’s designed to help us give back. It’s located in my hometown and is run by one

of my best friends, Joe Blow, his girlfriend Sarah and other locals all who make it happen. I feel more personally connected to it and made a strong effort the last couple of years to help raise as much as possible for the charity. It feels good to give back and for me, this type of effort reveals the overall identity of our movement.

To what do you attribute your success in the glass art culture? It’s a combination of things, namely timing, hard work, innovation, creativity and the desire to make a connection with people. I try to create value for the people I’m working with and I think all of this comes together giving people reasons to buy my pieces. That, and I love it. It’s easy to go to work when you love your job.

Do you have any advice for up-and-coming glass artists? Pay your fucking taxes so the government will legitimize us and leaves us the fuck alone. It’s not that bad, so hire an accountant and get it done. Love, Salt

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JMass

GEMINI ANDY Mickelsen, Milon Townsend and I got exposed to soft glass sculpting from Charles Lowrie. Charles influenced my work alot with powder color application and natural realism in glass.

Woodwiseman Sherlock

How long have you been Lampworking? I started lampworking in February of 1996.

When did you make your first pipe? Starting at age of 17 I made pipes out of all kinds of materials, wood, metal, antlers etc. Shortly after I started flame working I made my first glass pipe.

What kind of pipe was your first?

Eugene was and is a melting pot of glass artists and pipers with a wide range of styles. My technical skills and styles were learned from this diverse exposure to many talented glass artists. My style of expression was learned from time in Nature and interest in reflections.

What type of torch do you use and why? I use a PM2D Bethlehem because it is reliable and works colors well.

Who is your favorite Glass Artist? That is tough to narrow down to one...so here are some of my favorites. Charles Lowrie, Robert

piper

artist

Mickelsen, William Morris, and Clinton Roman.

What inspires you most? Being in the wilderness.

What inspired the Critter series? As kids, my twin brother and I collected all kinds of critters especially frogs. My love of critters and big interest in fantasy, folklore, and mythology have inspired the playful series of Critters.

What is the most memorable pipe you have made? The Dryad is probably the most memorable piece I have made. A lot of influences and inspiration came together with technical execution on this piece. It was a real corner stone for me.

My first glass pipe was a spoon, also known as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;chicken legâ&#x20AC;? back in the old days in Eugene.

What is your signature style and where did you learn? My signature style is always evolving. Recently it is fantasy critters and metaphorical mystical natural themes using sculpted forms and traditional pipe forms. I learned my styles growing up around Eugene. I studied from some great glass artists at the Eugene Glass School. Robert

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Flying Eye Critters

Forest Healer

If the readers were to visit your shop, what music would they hear you working to? A wide range from Krishna Das in the mornings, to acoustic, bluegrass, rock, metal, dubstep, hiphop, lots of audio books and documentaries...even poetry by Rumi.

What is next? Do you have any projects or collabs coming up? Next I am working on some designs and collabs that reflect the condition of modern man in relation to the natural world. I am currently working on a collab series with Justin Jenicke on this theme. Of course more Critters too.

If you could tell aspiring pipe makers anything, what would it be? Well I would tell them first there are no rules. Explore all the info and techniques that are out there and then find your voice. What resonates in your heart? Merge that with the skills you learn and usually it will be a unique expression. Good luck :) Witch Doctor Critter collab w-Buck

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Dyrad

Potbelly Critter

Black and White Shaman Tube Forest Keeper Critter

Forest Shaman

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FREDRICK

FAERRON

MARBLE Artist

Photos by Ben Ramsey

How long have you been Lampworking? Since 1998

When did you make your first Marble? 2000

What kind of marble was your first? I made various styles of small marbles right away using milli(s) and stabbing mushrooms, but the first serious marble I made was a Dichroic “Galaxy” marble, made with Starship Tical. Jay Frodo of Dichroic Alchemy came to my shop and demoed the technique in 2000.

2009 I began collaborating with marble maker James Yaun. We have shared in his dialog of large “Orb” (4 to 6 inch spheres), incorporating our shared passion for fuming and personal techniques to create these massive marbles. During the period of collaborating with James, I began to both refine and expand my implosion vortex studies. James is a master vortex marble maker. It was not until 2011/2012 when I began to introduce this implosion vortex dialog to collectors. I am currently in a limited series of 250 marbles which will delve into the implosion vortex from many angles that I am looking to explore. This certified series is of marbles from 2 inches on up. It’s my goal to breach 4+ inches during the series and incorporate James Yaun’s “Orb” studies collaboratively. I have also begun a signed and dated series of miniature studies of the certified series of 250. The challenge to create fine detail is great in the miniature studies, but it is needed to define my goals in the certified series and has made another series in my signature style available to share

with collectors. Those vortices will range from 1.4 to a projected .5 inch goal.

What type of torch do you use and why? I have been using GTT torches since 2000. I find that they have a more penetrating flame with less radiant heat from the torch candle. To me, it’s an ideal torch for solid work and definitely great for hollow work as well.

Who is your favorite marble maker? I hold so much respect for all the contemporary marble makers. I can’t honestly name just one.

What inspires you most? Nature is my favorite muse. I was drawn to work on the rainbow fuming technique due to my tropically-influenced youth in Costa Rica. The vibrant hues of tropical birds and water creatures never left my heart. All my fine metal fuming work is inspired by that time in my life. Water is also a huge

What is your signature style and where did you learn? In 2001/2002 I was introduced to vortex marble studies by a New Mexican flameworker named Jasper Moondancer. I was deep in dialog studies already of implosion pendants made from linework of horizontal silver and gold crossover fuming, which creates a graduating “rainbow” palate. I was inspired by Kevin O’Grady’s lateral and segment rainbow fuming studies. The linework fuming implosion techniques were inspired by Ben Muniz. I began incorporating both of my studies and developed an implosion precious metal fumed linework vortex marble style by 2002/2003. In

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inspiration and is the driving force behind my linework implosion work.

Do you play the game of marbles? It was a staple in my youth and now that I am exploring making mini marbles the passion is returning.

Do you make pipes? I began making pipes in the early 90s out of pipestone and serpentine rocks. I hold a deep respect for the pipe as an instrument that has aided in broadening mankind consciousness, enlightenment, and civilization through mind expanding

ethnobotanical research. I also respect and honor its use in ceremony and the special place pipes hold in many cultures. I find that personal accountability is key when using this instrument. I feel it is important to respect and honor the history and shared circles in ceremony. I currently do not make pipes but I would never say I am not a pipe maker. I will always make pipes.

Yaun, Langan, & Faerron Collab

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If the readers were to visit your shop, what music would they hear you working to? Lately it has been indie rock. I am very eclectic with music. The best thing I have done is share my internet radio stream account with many friends, always encouraging them to add new radio stations. It is a wide range to choose from I would say!

What is next for Freddy Faerron? Do you have any projects or collaborations coming up? I am currently in some long term “shared vision” studies. Jeweler Joseph Powell and I have just begun a series of mini implosion vortex marbles set into fine metals. We’re making both pendants and amulets (with a hand wrought chain). We have been sharing in creative dialog now for 20 years. The large scale “Orb” studies which I have shared with James Yaun since 2009 yield massive boro marbles between 4 to 6 inches. We try to fabricate them yearly. They are rare, we have made fewer than 10 over the years and they are definitely worth looking out for. I also launched the miniature signed and dated series in June 2014 and there are works in the .75 to 1.4 inch size range currently available.

If you could tell aspiring Marble makers anything, what would it be? Consider everything you learn and study in your glass work as a vocabulary. Gather as many “words” as possible in your research to develop your own voice, but never lose sight of your own statement. Speak of what touches your own heart through your work. It is what is inside of you that matters the most. Be true and work hard at developing that personal voice from your gathered vocabulary and you will thrive.

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jerry kelly

milli &

murrine

artist

What kind of image was your first? First image was a butterfly. Then a VW symbol the same week.

What is your signature style and where did you learn?

How long have you been lampworking? 20 years lampworking.

Do you make Milli or Murrine? I make both styles millefiori and murrine clusters.

When did you make your first Milli/Murrine? 1994 about 6 months into learning how to work glass.

I guess my signature style would be concentric cluster style millefiori. Also cartoon murrine. Better known for my cluster style though. I tried Milli on my own first. Dan K was my first real glass teacher. He used Milli that he was making. I think that guided me into it. I then found Kevin O’Grady and Loren Stump a year later and took a class with Kevin then with Loren. I worked hard to learn on my own what I did not learn from them.

What type of torch do you use and why? GTT Delta and a Delta mag. Because they rock. They heat so even and deep. Makes heating Milli up really easy. They almost pull themselves when heated properly.

What inspires you most?

answer, “Hell ya! Till I die!” MACA (Millefiori Artists Collectors and Addicts Group) has given me a chance to take more time to make Milli over the last two years, which in turn has made me better at what I’m doing. Thanks MACA.

If the readers were to visit your shop, what music would they hear you working to? Everything music. Dead, Phish and everything else Rock-n-roll.

My daughter inspires me. She is already learning and making Milli collabs with me. 4 years old. And seeing how this glass scene grows everyday. Inspires me to push myself and my abilities

Do you still make pipes? Of course I still make pipes. I use the Milli I make in my functional work every day. My wife asked me long ago, “What are you going to do, make pipes when your 60.” My

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What is next for Jerry Kelly? Do you have any projects or collaborations coming up? Projects… I want to collab with everyone that wants to collab with me. I will also be teaching a little this year. I want to also focus on progressing my ability.

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If you could tell something to aspiring Milli/ Murrine makers what would it be? Don’t give up when you mess up. Try and try again.You’ll only get good at glass by practice. EVERYDAY!!!!