Music and glass-blowing

One of the cool things about all of our wandering is that we get to meet interesting people along the way. People with fascinating stories. Everybody has a story, you know - about where they live, where they used to live, about where they've traveled, what they've experienced. About their jobs and hobbies and accomplishments. Maybe about things they are good at or things they love.

Lauren is one of the interesting people we met in St. Augustine. A friend of ours who has lived here for a few years has formed a band with Lauren and her husband and we were able to hear them play one night. Besides being a talented musician Lauren is also a glass-blower. How cool is that?!?

 Yesterday we went to watch her work at the "hot shop" where she serves as Thomas Long's assistant. What a fascinating process.

When we arrived they were working on a beautiful ornate vessel that required the attention of four workers - to keep the piece spinning, to open and close the furnace door, to wield auxiliary torches, and to "gather" more hot glass as needed.

I can only imagine the cost of keeping those furnaces running above 2000 degrees. The cooling oven over in the corner where the solid pieces can cool down slowly and evenly to avoid cracking... That one is only 950 degrees!

Once the fancy vessel was tucked safely away in the cooling oven, they began working on some component pieces that they are preparing for the upcoming Architectural Digest show in New York. Thomas has been an exhibitor in that prestigious show for seven years and has earned a highly visible spot in the display hall. This year he has chosen to feature a monochromatic design including the second piece we watched them make.

Around the studio were components of a set of large sculptures that are going to Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs) in a few weeks. Thomas has designed, created, and installed sculptures for the Marriot Hotel Orlando, for the Atlantis Casino and Resort in Reno and for at least one cruise ship - as well as numerous other public and private locations.

See some of their work here.


Early in our times here I discovered that Lauren is a good musician and now I can see that she is also good at this beautiful craft - and of course, is continuing to learn from a master.

Funny how art and music go together.

In fact, Thomas says that they simply do not work without music.

Fitting it seems.