I don’t get involved in many forum discussions; mainly because I don’t have the time (I am busy making glass).  I have also stayed away from many of the forums because one often doesn’t know who they are engaging with.  While I always identify myself, I know certain individuals that use multiple names.  I know of others (some have actually apologized to me) who are paid to post either positive posts for one party or negative posts regarding the other.  It begs the question: what type of “community” is being fostered?  This type of game playing is beyond my skill level and doesn’t register on my desired-talent list.  The idea of blogging on the other hand seems straight forward.  Everybody knows who you are and the covers can be pulled back on your motivations and relationships. 

If you have a question about Glass Alchemy or our glass, let us know and we will address it through our blog.

There have been several questions raised on clear glass – where we get our clear glass and why we don’t produce clear glass.  Glass Alchemy has a long standing relationship with Gerresheimer, manufacturers of Kimble Kimax.  We have worked with them since we began Glass Alchemy, namely because the glass is produced in the US.  The company provides good US union manufacturing jobs. They are located in Vineland, New Jersey where they use the latest in highly efficient low emission technology. The location has been producing glass products since 1890 and the facility recycles 100% of the glass discarded during the production process so nothing is sent to the landfill.  American lampworkers do have the opportunity to buy clear glass made in the US.

When such a well established company exists, there is no reason for Glass Alchemy to produce clear glass.  Also, from a technical point of view, Glass Alchemy produces many colors in small batches.  Clear requires very (very) large batches.  For the techies out there, one of the Kimble kilns is 65,000 pounds and they hold the level of the glass within 1/1000 of an inch to maintain head pressure so that the tube comes out the proper size.  Our 50 pound pots drop 10 inches in the space of an hour.  Our investment would be in the millions in order to produce clear and we don’t make millions (and unlike China, we don’t have a government financing us).

Hope this helps answers some of your questions.  I look forward to keeping the discussion going.

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