Hello World of Bongs Community, we got the chance to interview Scot Bennett (Cherry Glass). He and his wife are the organizers of the Tournamen of Fire:
WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN GLASS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Watching my buddy blow glass a few years out of high school caught my interest in glassblowing.
WHERE DID YOU LEARN YOUR SKILLS?
My friend from high school offered me an apprenticeship in 2002. Andy G. worked here in Minnesota until he moved to Rice lake Wisconsin. I worked under him until 2006, and then started my own company Cherry Glass.
DO YOU CREDIT ANY OTHER GLASS BLOWERS WITH HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR SUCCESS?
I also credit Shipwreck Glass, Chip Steeler, from Portland, OR who has guided me on my electroforming journey. Without him providing much needed guidance to our family, we would be lost in the electroforming world, we wouldn’t have learned what we know today.
TALK TO ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR STYLE.
Cherry Glass is a family-owned glassblowing business in Northern Minnesota. We are a group of artists that create magnificent pieces using organic material. We add real insects to our art by electroforming them in copper and applying them onto our glass pieces. We have three months of summer to collect bugs where we live, so when the season is done, and critters start to die off we collect them. We have also had some shipped to us from collectors and friends! We also incorporate crystals, stones, and Brazilian agate slabs in our work and connect everything together with different color patinas.
We Give Bugs A Second Life As Art!
WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU MOST LIKE TO WORK WITH?
Butterflies
Dragonflies
Spiders
Scorpions
Snakes
Bats
Praying Mantis
Hornets
Cicadas
House Flies
Flowers
Stones
Bones/Skulls
Starfish
Sea Horse
Shells
Sea Fan
WHAT’S THE MOST FAVOURITE PIECE YOU’VE EVER MADE?
An Indonesian Bat The bat was preserved, and electroformed in copper.There are Swarovski crystals placed on the wings.At the base of the skeleton sits a real rose, Quartz, and Amethyst.The wings of the bat have a beautiful patina , bringing out green, blue, and purple tones. The back of the wings are bright and shiny.You can see the texture of the wings.The whole bat is electroformed to a magnet, and comes off the Brazilian agate base.The base features Red Roses, Pink Roses, and Lavender Roses.Where the Quartz points are on the agate base, is where the Black Galaxy Sherlock sits. It sits upright, and solid against the stones, and easily is removable.This was a custom piece done for a collector of ours.
WHAT WAS YOUR WORST MOMENT ON THE PATH TO “MAKING IT” AS A GLASS ARTIST?
One of the worst moments is when we have had packages shown up, and the artwork inside is all busted. That is hard to have to have that conversation. We can usually remake pieces when needed, but there has been those moments where it is a loss.
AND WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MOMENT?
Being able to do a collaboration with Bob Snodgrass. After one of the Glass Roots Art Shows, Shipwreck Glass, and myself got to bring skulls home to electroform. We put a Real Butterfly wing head dress on one, and on the other a real spider. The insects, and parts were preserved and electroformed in copper. The spider had webbing that wrapped around the top of the skull. A dichro extract patina was applied to the skulls so they sparkle. This was an honor to work on these masterpiece relics.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW GLASS ARTISTS?
Colorado, Nevada, Washington D.C.
IF YOU COULD MAKE YOUR “DREAM” PIECE, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
My dream piece would be me. When I die I would like to be 24k gold plated, and sit out on display, outside of my shop, and greet any visitors that come.
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE, MOST OF ALL IN THIS WORLD, TO HIT YOU UP FOR A PIECE, AND WHAT PIECE WOULD YOU MAKE FOR HIM/HER?
Willy Nelson, I would make him a joint stone.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR GLASS ARTISTRY IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY?
Both industries are on the rise. It should only get better, because the world is becoming more accepting of the industries. People might be more likely to have their pieces out on display then hiding it in the closet. The next big virtual reality pipes.
IF YOU WERE SHIPWRECKED ON A DESERT ISLAND AND YOU COULD ONLY HAVE THREE ESSENTIAL PIECES WITH YOU, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE, AND WHY?
Pinchie for survival, spoon for sharing with “wilson”, and the bubbler for when I find fresh water.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC TO WORK TO/DAB TO?
Classic rock…. Reggae
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