Three Issues (one of extreme importance, two not so much)
Hello my dears. I had a great time teaching my first Aussie class today. Well, besides the fact that I demoed 2 hollow beads and one practically exploded and the other collapsed on me (I CAN actually make hollows, really) - that was a bit embarrassing, but hey, glass can be unpredictable sometimes. Of course this had to happen just after I went on and on about how hollow beads are really easy to make. But then, somehow or other, all my students ended up making hollows that came out way better than mine - so I am a proud teacher right now! Aussies are aussome.
Anyway, on to those issues:
Issue #1
Looking around the class today, I was a bit shocked to discover that half of my students were working on their torches and not wearing didymium glasses. When I approached them, I got responses such as "oh, but I can see what I'm doing just fine", "you don't really need them if you're working on a HotHead", or "yeah, I don't really like wearing them because they're uncomfortable/inconvenient/too expensive/other."
I have taught people from at least a dozen different countries so far, and I HAVE NEVER COME ACROSS ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. I think there is a lot of misinformation going around the Australian lampworking community, and since I like Australian lampworkers, I find this quite disturbing.
I don't know where it originated from and I do not mean to point blaming fingers or to undermine anyone. I know everyone here means well. However, I feel that this is a very important issue, so I am going to say what's on my mind. Here's a little public service announcement for all Aussie beadmakers, those who are taking my classes and those who aren't. If you're not Australian but you think you don't need didys when you torch, you should probably read this too.
DIDYMIUM GLASSES
WHEN YOU WORK
ON A GLASS TORCH.
YOU MUST. There is no question or debate here. This is not just my personal preference. It doesn't matter if you're working on a HotHead, a Minor or a freaking Barracuda. YOU MUST WEAR DIDYMIUM GLASSES. EVERYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD DOES. This is not a matter of convenience. This is science. The flare from the torch is DANGEROUS FOR YOUR VISION. You only have one pair of eyes. Even if you still think I might be wrong, overreacting or whatever, why would you want to take that risk? You can't make any beads at all if your eyesight is impaired.
Didymium glasses are the ones with the purple lenses. Clear glasses or sunglasses may protect you from flying bits of glass, but they will not protect your eyes from the flare.
PLEASE WEAR DIDYS. IT IS CRAZY NOT TO.
If you are a teacher, PLEASE TEACH YOUR STUDENTS TO WEAR DIDYS. Not doing so is irresponsible.
I should point out that this was the very first thing I was taught in my beginner's lampwork class. Yeah, I live in a pretty remote country too.
Further reading here: mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/your-eyes-the-only-pair-you-have
*** UPDATE: Please Read. ***
Issue #2
Hi. My name is Sarah. I am 1.62m (that's 5'4"). I don't do high heels anymore (well, very rarely), as I refuse to walk around feeling like a freaking invalid. Now you know - so if we meet someday, please do me a favor and don't tell me you thought I was taller. Thank you. (1.62 is seriously not THAT short.)
If Q is reading this he is probably cracking up right now.
Issue #3
In my previous post, I wrote:
Today Sally and Avril took me to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where we had a g'day seeing, petting and feeding a bunch of awesome Aussie animals.
Since then, I have been approached by at least 4 Aussies with grim looks on their faces, saying "you know, you used the 'g'day' wrong."
Come ON, people. I KNOW THAT. IT WAS A JOKE. I GET THE G'DAY THING. I GET IT. Me not stupid.
Seriously. You folks should know I have a weird sense of humor by now.
I don't have to tell you that I know 'aussome' isn't really a word, right?
Okay, that's all for today.
WEAR DIDYS. WEAR THEM. THANK YOU.
All the rest, feel free not to take too seriously.
"The flare from the torch is DANGEROUS FOR YOUR VISION." Um. Sarah -- while I commend you for your great comments, the sodium flare from the torch is NOT dangerous to your vision. Really.
It is, however a major annoyance and almost impossible to see through. Didymium or ACE/AUR-92 filters should be worn to cut the sodium flare as well as some of the light generated in the HIV/HEV part of the visual spectrum in the 400 to 525 nm range. Sodium flare is at 575 nm.
Further information can be found here: http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/general-recommendations-for-filter-eyewear/ and here: http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/25/visible-light-hazards-and-the-glassworker/
I've been trying real hard to get rid of the Urban Legend that sodium flare is hazardous. It really isn't.
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You NOT stupid! You a hoot! Keep 'em coming!
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cracking up over here..... but you are HUGE in terms of heart!!!!
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Okay - that was hysterically funny. As for the Dydimium glasses...whether or not they're inconvenient or safe (I like your comment - purple lenses are cool) - they make a HUGE difference in your ability to work with the glass. I was one of those who worked with clear lenses for 4 months (is that part of the problem?). Maybe even five before I "invested" in the didymium glasses. Being able to actually SEE the bead without the sodium flare...well, I had to do the V-8 slap to my forehead.
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omygawd your the same height as me! great
i love your beads you inspired me to start lampworking.
don't worry i wear my didys
xx
Leeanne
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I am in florida at the ocean right now and I am happy your classes are going good. oh my gosh Sarah, i am so jealous, i want to pet a koala, as a matter of fact, i want to own one. i would have a great tree and find eucalyptus and feed it all of the happy leaves it wanted! Ok, too much vacation for me, give me a minute, alright back to reality!! lol! whoa, whoever did not warn the aussies about didydium should be shot, no, their retinas should be burned! Kudos for setting them straight and posting for the rest of them not in your class!! going to walk the beach now! i thought about the time you buried a bead at the beach today and wondered if anyone has found it yet! Peace,
steph
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First, I would like you all to know I do not work with glass. The only thing I know about it are the beautiful photo's I see of YOUR work and other glass/lampworkers of the world. I have to reply to the first comment on this post. These Purple Glasses.. the didy's. Why on earth would you NOT wear something that could protect your sight EVEN IF you do not personally believe that they are not that necessary. Lets just say everyone else is crazy and there is no harm from not using them but there was a 1 in a million chance it could hurt you. ISNT THAT ENOUGH? The day your eyesight fails, in the future, because as we all know young people are indestructible (or at least they think they are). You will be so regretfull that you did not just do it anyway.
Protect your eyes.. you cannot get a new pair.
PS. Beautiful work Sarah - How wonderful you travel to all these different places teaching..what a great experience!
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