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Serious question, I was at a demo in Asheville and saw someone use a wet newspaper pad to shape a bowl.
They just dipped folded newspaper in a bucket of water and used it like a wooden block. I tried it back home and it actually gave me a smoother curve on my last piece. Do you think this is a good habit to get into or will it mess with the glass over time?
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allen.ivan7mo ago
Ever notice how the best tricks come from just watching someone work? That wet newspaper trick is a perfect example. I've seen people use damp cardboard for shaping too. The water cools the glass fast without shocking it, which is why your curve was smoother. As long as the paper is clean and you're not trapping steam against the piece, it shouldn't cause problems later.
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riley_taylor7mo ago
The old guys at the shop always said the real secrets never make it into the books. They'd just hand you a wet rag and tell you to watch. Steam pockets are the real enemy with that method, though. Seen a few pieces crack a week later because someone got sloppy and trapped moisture.
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xena16mo ago
Isn't that how most real skills work, like Allen said, where the best lessons are just shown, not written down?
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