Hello World of Bongs Community, more and more artists find their way to the torch, so also Jonathan Spencer (Spencer Glass):
WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN GLASS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I moved into a new home and my neighbor showed me his home studio. It was a cozy wooden shed in the back yard that had shiny glass on the inside. When the fire was melting the glass I knew I had to try it. I bought myself a torch and some glass and my neighbor was kind enough to let me use his kiln and share tanks
WHERE DID YOU LEARN YOUR SKILLS?
Most of my abilities were a self-taught experience. Having the opportunity to watch another glassblower also helps to learn from. I did extensive reading in bead books, The Glass Line magazine, and various old scientific articles I found hiding online.
DO YOU CREDIT ANY OTHER GLASS BLOWERS WITH HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR SUCCESS?
I give a sizeable amount of credit to my neighbor Ryan Connor for the advice he has to offer and I wouldn’t be as far along in flame working without him.
TALK TO ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR STYLE. WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM?
I make whatever my mind throws at me. I like to be surreal, but I attuned to many different shapes and styles.
WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU MOST LIKE TO WORK WITH?
I’m a borosilicate flame worker and the best tool is literally glass. I’ve got some tweezers and a marver. I use precious metals (gold and silver), opals, and on occasion Herkimer Diamonds (mined quartz crystals)
WHAT’S THE MOST FAVOURITE PIECE YOU’VE EVER MADE?
When I first started I made a glass octopus pipe for my cousin. It is my favorite pipe to this day. It was my first benchmark of seeing the progress I made as a flame worker
WHAT WAS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT ON THE PATH TO “MAKING IT” AS A GLASS ARTIST?
I like to believe I haven’t had any embarrassing or bad moments as a glassblower. Every time something goes wrong I learn from it and it’s just another step in the right direction. I’d like to thank everyone who’ve all been supportive of me.
AND WHAT WAS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT?
I’m most proud of myself when I create a piece that’s out of the ordinary. I use a good color flow when I step out of my comfort zone, I do some well done sculpting, and things flow smoothly.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW GLASS ARTISTS JUST STARTING OUT?
Some days will be worse than others. If you have any questions ask me personally and I’ll see where I can help
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE STRAIN/EXTRACT, AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE TO DAB IT IN?
I prefer Sativa, and I’ve had a dab rig from my birth year that is still kicking around.
IF YOU COULD MAKE YOUR “DREAM” PIECE, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
My dream piece would be “busy” , it would be a mess of colors and figures that tell a story in some way
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?
Seth Rogen would be one of the people I would like to make a well constructed art bong for.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR GLASS ARTISTRY IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? FIRST WE HAD BONGS, THEN THE RISE OF DAB RIGS HAS SERIOUSLY ELEVATED THE STATUS OF GLASS ARTISTS ‐ WHAT’S NEXT?
I heard from a little bird “those sculptors are gonna be taking over the industry” and I hope that bird is right. I’ve seen a lot of advancement in the science and arts in glass though and it’s hard to tell what will come next.
IF YOU WERE SHIPWRECKED ON A DESERT ISLAND AND YOU COULD ONLY HAVE THREE ESSENTIAL PIECES WITH YOU, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE, AND WHY?
Thick walled chillum for a travel pipe.
The sacred recycler for special events like a boat cruising by or a new island bird.
The alien heady spoon pipe for a daily smoke pipe.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MUSIC TO WORK TO/DAB TO?
I like dubstep – indie – rock – rap – country – instrumental – electro swing – bluegrass. . . they carry good emotion in each genre and they make it easier to work when playing in the background.
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