Lots of Glass Blowing Content, Some Thoughts on Cups, Ups and Down | Sunday Reflection 5/5/2019
On Sundays I reflect.
I didn't drink alcohol this week. I got to blow some glass, not as much as I hoped to. Full of ups and downs, this week includes:
- Snowboarding at Arapahoe Basin
- Vail Cup Collector's Cup 2019 Video Recap
- Shpongle at Red Rocks
- Glass Blower Taking a Break
- Thoughts on Pipe Makers Making Cups
- Cups for Everyone
- Baby Adult Photo Shoot
- Sad News from an Old Friend
- Catching Up with an Old Friend
- Thankfulness
Snowboarding at A Basin, in the End of April
I got a powder day in with my brother snowboarding at Arapahoe Basin; neither of us were expecting almost a foot of snow on April 30th, it was a pleasant surprise. Aside from our single day on the hill, my brother and I spent the whole week developing content for you to enjoy which you'll see released over the next few weeks. If you can't wait that long, checkout our Vail Cup Collector's Cup 2019 video recap:
Shpongle at Red Rocks
I got to see Shpongle (full band) perform at Red Rocks two nights ago with a few friends. Previously, I got to see Simon perform a DJ set back when I was in college in Bloomington, Indiana, but I've never seen the full band. It's hard to compare Red Rocks to being in a room with less than 200 people in college while Simon played a DJ set at the Bluebird. Red Rocks on the other hand might have been the most impressive performance I've ever seen.
I admire how much work everyone put in to creating such an experience for us, and part of me wishes I could have also attended Saturday night's show. In addition to a one of-a-kind on-stage performance, we were surrounded by art inside the venue, including live painting and Alex Ubatuba's light forms displayed atop the rock.
Will These Glass Cups Be Around Forever?
I've currently got a lot of inventory, so I've been making deals lately to create more space for incoming cups. If there is something you've had your eyes on, please contact me to see how we can get that special piece into your hands.
Yesterday I received an update from an artist I recently started working with. He's been blowing glass most of his life, and he will be taking a break from the medium to pursue school and other artistic endeavors during the foreseeable future. These kind of life changes are not uncommon for artists, and just because a product is available today does not mean it will be available tomorrow. Being an artist is an incredibly challenging way of life, and as life evolves, interest and passion in the creative process may decline.
Most glass pipe makers do not release cups and drinkware to the public.
This gives me a good opportunity to bring up something I've discussed with a handful of folks this year: Most glass pipe makers do not release cups and drinkware to the public. Of those cups made by artists, most end up in the hands of close friends and family as personal gifts.
I get the impression from many collectors that they feel as if they can get any piece of art from an artist whenever they feel like it. And sometimes this is the case.
On the other hand, I've seen "five words or less, and you'll get my best" in response to custom requests. I try to respect this principle when ordering from artists. As an artist, I know that too much direction or specific instructions will be a burden on the artist and impact the work that comes out.
I recently received an order that I discussed with an artist nine months ago. I also recently had multiple borosilicate glass artists tell me they will no longer be blowing glass, or that they don't want to make certain products anymore. Just because a piece or style makes it to my website, and maybe I even get a second release, does not mean I'll always be able to get it again.
I guess what I'm trying to say here is that if you see something you like, please don't just assume that product will always be available, let me know you have your eye on it. There are so many factors that play into the inventory that is available, many of which are out of my control. I'm doing my best to keep as many styles and price points available. I want to make sure there is something for everyone, whether you're looking for a $50 cup or a $5,000 cup.
Thanks for the Support
This seems like a good opportunity for me to thank a few folks. If you're one of the people that sends me a message on Instagram, or tags me, every time you see a cup posted that you think I'll be interested in, I appreciate you.
I try to stay on top of what's happening on Instagram and sometimes cups slide past me. To my brother who has helped carry the weight of this brand since its inception, and also helps me monitor available cups; thank you immensely. Your work this past week, and all you do for DV in your free time has kept this project alive and I'm grateful for your help.
Baby Adult Photo Shoot
We just wrapped up a product photo shoot, so new product is coming to the website soon. I also got to work with my favorite models; Ziva Galit and Maya Amit.
We have some incredible content coming from our shoot with the kids where they pretended they were "like little adults". My photographer Reda has taken on lots of new challenges since working with me. Glass is very difficult to capture with photography due to reflective properties. Working with young kids holding glass was another exciting challenge, and Reda did an incredible job. I'm grateful to have her support in keeping you stocked with the highest quality images we can provide.
Catching Up with Old Friends
Something else I'd like to discuss here is the transitory nature of people. Nothing is forever, is something my friend reminded me of this morning.
A friend from college recently ordered a pair of my newest scalloped cups, and we realized we haven't seen each other in years, despite our efforts when I'm in NYC, where he lives. This week, he browsed my website for the first time in years. He couldn't believe what he saw. It's hard to imagine seeing someone every day for years and then having no contact for multiple years. We all get busy. We're all caught up in whatever our lives have become and that's okay. But it's great to reconnect.
I send a few random text messages a week, and make a few calls to people I haven't spoken to in some time. It's very difficult to stay connected with people that aren't in our immediate bubble. For me, as life goes on this gets more and more difficult. My friends and family are all over the world, and my ability to travel has become much more of a challenge since opening the studio.
I can't express the feeling when I reconnect with an old friend and they want to own my work. I have very little of my own work available, as I spend a lot of my time sourcing all the other artists' work and keeping this project going.
It's always easier for me to sell something I've already got in inventory, but it's much more rewarding for me to make something specifically for someone I know. They are still supporting me by owning other artists work, but the fact that they want to own something I made with my own hands is a different experience for both of us.
I never know how much more time I'll get to spend blowing glass and creating things as the business grows and my other work continues to expand. It's more than finding the time to create; it's about finding time, inspiration, motivation and then making sure I'm not out of gas or materials. Usually one of those factors prevents me from creating, but my entire life goes into my creations so it's not just about the minutes or hours I spend actually fabricating the piece.
Sad News from an Old Friend
Call your friends and family. Reach out to people you've lost touch with. I'm always glad when I do, and I never know what will be my last chance.
This morning, I woke up to the unfortunate news that a friend's brother passed away in a car accident in Chicago last night. This friend is having a rough year, having recently buried his father who also passed away just a few months ago. I can't imagine the year he's going through, but my thoughts are with him and his family.
I don't really know what else to write here after that.
Finding Some Positivity
In the upcoming week I'll continue preparing for my trip to California which I'm looking forward to. I'm hoping to make more prep for Voorhees this week, in between all of my other projects.
I'd like to wish a very happy Cinco de Molly to my dear friend Molly Rosenfeld. I miss celebrating your birthday with you, but I look forward to seeing you this summer. I'm glad we get to see each other once or twice a year, but I wish it was more. Expect a phone call today.
Call your friends and family. Reach out to people you've lost touch with. I'm always glad when I do, and I never know what will be my last chance. My condolences go out to Willie and his family for their loss.
Enjoy your Sunday,
Ben
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