Hello World of Bongs Community, Rick Thompson (Vagabondglass) is the creator of the moving eyeball pipes and Eddie Torres the Extra Testicle. We got a second to make a interview with him: 

WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN GLASS IN THE FIRST PLACE?

Smoking weed. Haha but really – Going into my local headshop (which just so happened to be the first Head shop ever) Captain Ed’s and seeing all the headies in Van Nuys, Los Angeles California. 

WHERE DID YOU LEARN YOUR SKILLS?

Portland, Oregon 1998

DO YOU CREDIT ANY OTHER GLASS BLOWERS WITH HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR SUCCESS?

In 1998 the Glass Blowers that I first saw work, were Jason and Mike from Backyard Glass, Pete Wadel, Nug-Nug and S.E. Dave. I then went solo until 2012 when I started working with Redbeard in Canada. He definitely helped me break into the Canadian Glass scene and taught me some new tricks. 

TALK TO ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR STYLE. WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATON COME FROM?

My style is kind of fictional characters and monsters. A little abstract I guess. I like my glass to look evil with a friendly grin. Definitely heavily influenced by Salt’s sculpting style. Also more often than not, I get ideas from my kids toys or books etc. 5. What materials do you most like to work with? Borosilicate Glass. I love using Frit (which is crushed or powdered colored glass)

WHAT’S THE MOST FAVOURITE PIECE YOU’VE EVER MADE?

I think one of my favorite characters to make are my ET: Eddie Torres The Extra Testicle Rigs because of people’s reactions. It makes me laugh. 

WHAT WAS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT?

Proudest moment is probably my first time making my now-signature spinning eyeball – it had been in my mind for years. My other proudest moments would have to be having my 6 and 8 year old children hop on the torch with me.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW GLASS ARTISTS JUST STARTING OUT?

Have a supplementary income so you can experiment and not have to be worried about selling every piece you make. You will know when the time is right to quit your other job and go 100% Glass.

IF YOU COULD MAKE YOUR “DREAM” PIECE, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?

That’s Top Secret!

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?

I’d love to make a piece for Tom Waits if he was in to it. Something so ugly and twisted its beautiful.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR GLASS ARTISTRY IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? WHAT´S NEXT?

From Bob Snodgrass figuring out that he could fume silver into glass for the color changing effect to G-girl making the first Dab Rig and reinventing the game it’s impossible to tell what’s next, but I bet it’s @Fluidmotion who figures it out!

IF YOU WERE SHIPWRECKED ON A DESERT ISLAND AND YOU COULD ONLY HAVE THREE ESSENTIAL PIECES WITH YOU, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE, AND WHY?

One of my early solar-magnifying Sherlocks would be the only piece I need- No need for a lighter! Oh and maybe a couple shot glasses in case my wife and I find some hidden pirates rum!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MUSIC TO WORK TO/DAB TO?

Everything from Reggae to classic rock to funk, the list goes on and on forever. But theres definitly a lot of Tom Waits, Grateful Dead, Phish playing my shop. Music is essential to my creative process.