Return from Corning: Residency Insights, Plasma Projects, and What\’s Next for Taming Lightning

• Developing Atupa Series: I refined my series of blown and engraved glass and plasma sculptures, Atupa (meaning “lamp/lantern” in Yoruba), which explores new textures, patterns, and color palettes reminiscent of Creamsaver candies.
• Deepening Technical Skills: I improved my techniques with glass solder, especially with Ruesche enamel flux, understanding its properties in its vitreous state. I also honed my engraving process, experimenting with new wheels and achieving a faster production pace.
• Plasma and Neon Equipment: My appreciation for plasma tools deepened, especially after working with Light Lab’s “Izulu Manifold” in more serious use, rather than simple off-site demonstrations. This setup has inspired new ideas for how I might build similar systems to aid my own practice.
• Library Exploration: The Rakow Library at Corning was a treasure trove, rekindling my thirst for knowledge. It’s an underutilized resource, and I found so many fascinating books and articles on neon and scientific glass that I’m excited to dig deeper into.

The residency has left a lasting impact on my approach to glassmaking and my aspirations within the field. I’m planning a live-streamed lecture early next year to share these insights and the ways this residency has transformed my practice.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me through Taming Lightning, whether by purchasing from my store, following my journey, or helping spread the word. As a small business, I rely heavily on word-of-mouth, and your support means everything.

Since reopening on 10/27/24, I’ve seen a few sales come through, and I’m immensely grateful for each one. My partnership with Global Rare Gases has been incredibly valuable, too—recently, it allowed Steve Jones, a longtime neon bender in Ohio to save 50% on neon gas compared to other vendors. Universities and institutions like the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the Toledo Museum of Art have also become yearly regular customers, helping me to further support the neon and plasma community.

Running a web store is a continuous work in progress, this solo endeavor means that if something goes wrong (like payment issues or website glitches), I may not catch it right away. I’m grateful when customers reach out to report these issues, as it allows me to address them promptly, so if you encounter any problems, feel free to reach out at store@taminglightning.net. Every bit of feedback helps me improve, and I truly appreciate your patience.

• Dyna-Meter: This high-voltage alternating-current (HV AC) measurement system, inspired by Steve Ward’s designs, is geared toward plasma artists, technicians, and scientists. It provides a low-cost, portable solution for measuring high-voltage AC outputs typical in plasma applications, helping users better understand the relationship between gas mixtures and transformer loads.

• New Transformers: Stay tuned for a reveal on a new transformer model, based on designs from the late Bob Iannini of Information Unlimited. This series will include options like the Plasma 7K (a Neon 21 replacement), Plasma 7.5K (Neon10ADJ), and a color-changing model for neon. It’s an exciting development that will provide more options and flexibility for plasma and neon artists.

Every bit of support on Patreon helps me continue this work, especially as I explore options to balance part-time work and my Taming Lightning commitments. Your support enables me to keep producing resources, podcasts, and events that bring value to this vibrant community.