A Glass Blower's Companion with Jason Michael -Helping Today's Glass Artist Think Like an Artistic Entrepreneur

Episode 208(From the Vault): Bhandu Scott Dunham- From Mad Scientist to Master Lampworker ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Previously aired from Episode 170, Bandhu and I sit down in the virtual studio and discuss many topics pertaining to glass and his career.  Find out what sparked his initial interest in glass and what continues to motivate  him to co...

     Episode 207-Jake Szymanski, aka @jakespinsglass on Instagram, was first exposed to the art of glass blowing at the age of 12 years old while visiting Wheaton Village in New Jersey. While in his teenage years he still had a burning desire to revisit this medium and finally dove into it at the age of 19. Eventually he enrolled into the Salem Community College for scientific glass and hotshop cl...

Episode 156- Why, What, and How?  Three questions to ask yourself regarding your motivation to be a glass artist.   These three questions are important to ask yourself when finding your way during the journey as a glass artist.  With many obsticals that can hinder ones growth as an artist it's important to keep these questions in mind.    Why are you a glass artist?     What drives your willingnes...

During the Holiday Grind getting through the days where you wanna be somewhere else besides the studio can be one of the most difficult disciplines of a business owner. The days where you'd rather stay in bed, or hike a trail instead of full-filling an order and having to make that umpteenth wrap and rake spoon or implosion pendant.     When your drive is depleted sometimes the best thing you CAN...

Episode 205(From the Vault): A Double Dose of J.D.Mapelsden    Every time I've had the pleasure of chatting with J.D. I leave the conversation fired up and inspired.  I hope that sharing these interviews back-to-back will get you fired up and inspired as you grind your way through the holiday season.    Enjoy and Thank You again for the continued support and love!!     -Jason Michael      Episode...

Episode 204: Selling Your work during the holidays   Show Sponsors Mountainglass Arts   theflowmagazine.com USE PROMO CODE " WYZGUY " FOR 10% OFF YOUR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION Become a WyzA$$ for as little as $1.00/mo . for exclusive access to the Podcast's archives and  video content patreon.com/wyzguyradio ______________________________________________________ Connect with me on social media: Instagr...

WyzGuy Minute Ep.3-Creating an emotional response through intention       Throughout the years working at Disney as a glassartist, a common question I get asked is "what are some of the favorite items that I get to create".      There's a few default answers I give but the answer to that question is "Anything that creates an emotional response ".   Whether it's a smile, laughter, tears and even so...

Episode 203- Bryan Ratcliffe- Road Trippin' Down Memory Lane   find him on instagram @surfratglass and his foot pedal at www.daspedal.com

     In the ever changing environment of the functional glass scene it is more important to be a well-rounded glass artist. Between the changes in state laws and the technological advances in vaporizers, you have to be able to evolve and pivot with the market.      If your having trouble with sales currently, it's time to take a 30,000 foot view of your situation and ask yourself what areas can yo...

EPISODE 202: Chris Piazza returns to discuss  the difficulties of running a glass business   Managing a glass business takes effort but can be simplified to make the tasks necessary to keep it running easier to maintain. In the previous chat with Chris he shared his growing pains after a successful first experience as a vendor at Glass Roots Art Show in 2016.  Now we get a chance too peel back the...

      In my opinion starting off Melting glass as a hobby is ideally the way to go until you have a strong enough technical foundation that you can manufacture several types of product lines consistently as well as consistent  sales.  If you have a 9-5 this is the best way to allow yourself to take he time , stress free, to learn this unforgiving medium.  There's nothing worse then trying to crank...

Episode 201- Are you prepared for a disaster? With the recent impact  from Hurricane Florence on the East Coast of the United States, specifically The Carolina's, it brought back memories from last year when we were hit hard by Hurricane Irma here in Central Florida. This bring us to this episode which is a replay from my recording outside in the hurricane. I really wanted to give you a sense of r...

Episode 200- WOOHOO... With Rashan Jones   Hey there and Thank You sooooo much for tuning in. This episode is a huge milestone for the show and I couldn't have done it without the sponsors, guests and listeners like YOU!!  It's truly an honor to have a platform to share my voice within a culture and industry that inspires me everyday. These last 200-episodes have been an amazing journey filled wit...

Ep.199 (Part 2.): JB vs. Lerker... The Path to Diversified Creativity - continuing education is key to unlock the path towards mastery      Part-2 starts at the conceptual point of his line "The Lerker" that led to His time teaching and accompanied gallery opening that showcased his current body of work.   Continuing education is key to unlocking the path towards mastery      Hey hey hey hey!!!!  ...

Episode 199 Part 1: JB - Lerking in a World Of Glass     Thanks for tuning in to Episode 199.  This interview has been chopped into two episodes as they cover the last 7-years of Jarred's glass journey. In Part 1 we cover his beginnings up to his first solo class that he taught as well as his first gallery show which were held on the same weekend at Zen Glass Studios in St. Petersburg, Fl.       T...

Episode 198: Generating revenue in the "Shared Economy"- (On the Road Edition)   While behind the torch there is nothing worse then stressing about anything, especially bills. On this episode I discuss the different aspects and the importance of keeping a day job or generating revenue until you can TRULY afford to support yourself as a full-time glass artist.   Dave Ramsey, who has helped millions...

Episode 197: Noah Loudon- Seeing glass from an Architectural Perspective Bio: Born mothers day May 11, 1996 in Greenbre, California. Attended Hampshire college for 2 years. I began working with borosilicate glass in May of 2015. My now close friend Sky Hayze was selling his work at a small college Saturday market. I introduced myself and was blown away that he had created the glass pieces in front...

Episode 196: Josh St. George- Talking Family, Glass, and Winning Round-1 in Season 2 Tournament of Fire      I've been on the torch since I was 12 years old when I started making marbles in a family owned workshop. From there I worked my way up using the name Yoshi glass since I was always jumping around. As I grew and matured in life and in my art I took more pride in my given name and now sign a...

Episode 195:Josh(Smitty)- Co-Owner of Smokin Smittys smoke shop  with 3-locations in Montana. Bozeman-Billings-Butte.  You can find them on Instagram @smokin_smittys      They are the Winning smoke shop Sponsor of Artist Josh St. George @st.george who won 1st place in the first round of Season 2 in The Tournament of Fire. An online social media glass blowing competition .  Check out @tournament_of...

Episode 194: Geremiah Benge- Finding diversity to be the key to success   Bio: I'm Geremiah Benge of Benge Bang Glass. I'm 23, born in Houston, Tx and raised in the far out skirts in a town called Livingston. I've always had this drawing passion for all art, whether it be pencil drawings, music, or most currently, lampworking. I was enticed into the flame a little over a year ago by a good friend,...

  Episode 193: Kevin Beecher-East Coast MELT           Kevin was born In 1976 and has been blowing glass for close to 21 years. He learned the basics of lampworking in  Arcata, California before returning to Pennsylvania and continued to learn this art on his own.  FInd out more about Kevin in his interview. find Kevin on Instagram @kevinbeecherglass Follow the entire MELT team while you're at it:...

      Episode 192:Rex Estrada- The love of science and exploration from the perspective of a glass artist      Rex Estrada is co-owner of Blissful Glass with his wife Alaina who is a talented artist on her own and helps keeping the business running smoothly.      Rex started blowing glass at the age of 14 as a hobby and has been in love with it ever since. His hobbies outside of glass are gardenin...

Episode 191: Steven Geller-From Weekend Warrior to Full-time Artist    This weeks episode was a ton of fun to record. Steven and I had a great chat about his early beginnings as a weekend warrior glass blower to where he is now as a full-time artist.  He finds that his favorite items to make are customs made for a specific person.  He shares how he was able to go from working a full-time job as a...

Episode 190: Lacey (Laceface) St. George..."Elements of a Warrior"      Lacey (LaceFace) St. George was born in Grants Pass, Oregon. She was exposed to the blossoming art form of glass blowing and pipe making from an early age. Determined from the beginning to create beauty, Lacey fell in love with the color, fluidity, and form of glass the moment she began working on the torch in 2004.          ...

Episode 189- Pedro Grime..Accelerated Learning Through Necessity      "Here is a brief summary and why you may or may not like my pipes. I was born and raised in Los Angeles California before moving and settling to Colorado Springs with my wife. My wife has four children, myself included. I became obsessed with glass the moment I tried melting boro in December of 2013. Since starting I have had th...