Group eye protection?

[SusanChambers]

You know Cosmo, you could just get one of Mike's didymium or AUR shields and set it up in reverse, in front of the lampworker's torch instead of between the lampworker and the torch. That way, all those directly in front of the torch and slightly off to each side could see through the flare to catch the action. (Mike, how big can you make one of those shields?)
Susan

[Cosmo]

That would be a good idea. What would the price for something like that be? And where could I get more information?

[MikeAurelius]

The shields are made with 4" square plates.

The shield runs $159.95 plus shipping. Economy glasses would be cheaper, they run $31.95 each plus shipping. Quantity discounts of 10% are available...and if the studio were to be a distributor, it would be even less expensive.

Here's a few links:

Table Shield: http://www.auralens.com/e_gw6500.html

Economy Eyewear: http://www.auralens.com/e_gw9302se.html

Main site link: http://www.auralens.com

[PamDugger]

Hi Mike, Now you have my curiosity up, what ostensibly would be the cost for a screen made of didydium glass (fireplace screen type size).

I actually had thought when this thread started that it was about a demo, as if you go to a museum and demo lampworking for those milling around the facility. In that case, I would not expect the facility to furnish 20 or 30 didydium glasses for those wandering around. However, if this is a facility that is holding a demonstration as a class, then I would expect them to furnish the glasses.
Pam

[MikeAurelius]

Pam - roughly $1000.

[PamDugger]

Wow, Mike, that really is not as expensive as I thought. I kind of expected it to be in the $3,000 range.
Pam

[margi]

Calm down, guys! Cosmo said at the outset that this is a BEAD STORE, not a teaching studio, that wants him to give MONTHLY DEMOS, not classes! I'm extrapolating here from minimal information, but maybe they want him to demo for a few hours on, say, one Saturday a month, so that people buying handmade beads will have a better idea of how they are made, and/or maybe find out if this is an art form that they might want to take up themselves someday?

And then maybe some time down the line, the store might decide to expand their facility, purchase everything needed, and start offering classes? Do I have this about right, Cosmo?

$32 (roughly) may not sound like a lot to you, Mike, but multiplied by 20, that's a lot of money for a small business in a rural area that probably doesn't have great sales right now to invest all at once. I'm not saying that 20 pairs of new glasses wouldn't be the optimal solution--but sometimes optimal is just NOT affordable!

Margi

[Cosmo]

Yes. That's correct. They said if there was enough interest, maybe later they would have me teach some classes. But, if that happens they will have to buy more torches, tools, etc. And at that time I'm sure glasses will be among the tools. What it will basically be right now is me sitting at a torch and people standing around watching.

[MikeAurelius]

Margi - first of all, I'm not upset or suffering from any gastric disorder.

Next - think about this for a minute - we want to encourage people to be part of glassmaking. They have to be aware of the risks/hazards, as well as the means to mitigate them.

Eyewear is a first step. $32 (roughly) is very cheap, especially when it can translate into a customer who buys a torch, continues to come back for glass, bead release, mandrels, tools, etc etc etc.

BUT, the potential customer WILL get turned off by looking at a big ball of yellow flame. If they cannot see what's happening, they walk away. I've seen this time and again in my store - and I have plenty of spare glasses for people to wear to watch demo day. Once they put on the glasses, they are hooked, and I had one lady stay for over an hour, and she turned into a customer. I had another that stayed for less than 5 minutes, because all the eyewear was in use, and her comment was "I can't see a thing".

This is part of doing business. I firmly believe having eyewear in the store available for people to wear, demo or not, is just as important as having an oxygen tank and keeping the propane outside.

You tell them 'wear these, you can see what's happening in the flame' and 'it will also help keep you safe from the occasional piece of flying glass'. They put them on because you have given them two very good reasons: one that appeals to their obvious interest and one that encourages safety.

It doesn't get any more basic than that.

I simply won't buy the excuse that the glasses are too expensive. If they can afford a torch in the store, and pay for oxygen and propane, they can pay for some eyewear to go with it.

If the purpose of the demonstrations are to get people hooked on making glass art, then get them hooked properly. If, on the other hand, all you want to do is have people watch you make stuff and don't want to interest them in becoming lampworkers, then don't provide eyewear.

[PamDugger]

I'm sorry, Mike, as much as I love and respect you and the Aura lenses, I don't think your solution, while it undoubtedly is the best, is very feasible. Over the years I have demo'd in many settings, several times in art museums along with others who were demonstrating their art. The public walked from demonstration to demonstration viewing what the various artists were doing. I did not provide glasses, nor would I have if I had had 20 or 30 pair. These people were walking up and down the museum and I am sure 90 percent of the glasses would have, however unintentionally, walked out the door. I did explain about the different lenses and did pass around a couple of pairs of glasses I had so that people could see what I was seeing, but as far as furnishing everyone there with a pair of glasses, I did not, and I will not in the future. The cost, as Margi said, would be prohibitive, and I think all of our goals in demonstrating or teaching is to expose more people to the art of glass beadmaking. To make the cost prohibitive for someone that just wants a demonstration at their place of business would be totally counter-productive. As long as these people are protected from flying glass, then that is the best you can do, along with explaining what is involved with our art form, including our glasswear needs.

Sorry, Mike, just a difference of opinion.
Pam