FORMAL TRAINING:      Not much in the way of glass blowing.

This may sound strange, but in the ‘70s when Wayne became interested in what’s technically called lampworking the only way to learn the craft was to find someone who already knew how to do it and hope they would train you. This didn’t happen often. Most were secretive and often rude! Wayne was lucky enough to find a craftsman named Ed Blankinship who shared some  secrets and then he was on his own until recently. In the U. S., there has been a wonderful growth of American glassblowers using all the techniques from off hand, bead making, fusing, Pate De Verre, slump work, to lampworking. Now there are classes, seminars, even video/DVD's and Wayne has been able to expand his skills. It’s made the craft new again after 30 years.

TYPE OF WORK: Lampworking is a technique that uses a torch, glass rod, a few tools, and lots of skill. The glass is actually sculpted instead of blown which means each piece is an individually created sculpture. Some pieces are for fun - like elephants flying a kite. Some are just pretty - like irises. Wayne doesn’t consider it art. It’s a craft that creates something that makes people feel good.

LOCATIONS: Wayne’s first shop was at Marine World, Africa U. S. A. when it was in Redwood City. After being a "hobbyist" for 2 years, on a whim, in 1975 he wrote a letter to the park asking if they’d like a glassblower. Two weeks later, he was open for business! (Which taught us - never be afraid to ask.) Through the park in 1978, as part of an exchange program he went to Japan and demonstrated his craft for 2 months. For several years, there were stores at Serramonte Center in Daly City and Southland Mall in Hayward, but these venues were getting away from the feeling of craft and were more just retail. He closed up the stores and regrouped opening a small studio/shop near home where for 10 years he did limited wholesale, special orders for customers, and participated in selected craft shows and presentations ( recently at Kendall-Jackson’s Chateau for Artists in Action). Presently, Corrie Glass has moved to the Historic Niles District (one of the 34 nationally recognized Main Streets) in Fremont. The studio is now in a 1892 building on the same street where Charlie Chaplin made his first films including The Tramp

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Miscellaneous: Choosing a "career" as a craftsperson rarely leads to boredom. You’re always busy and there’s a great satisfaction (usually) at the end of the day when you look at what you’ve accomplished or when customers pick up orders and you see the delight on their faces. Not many people get to experience that kind of gratification. So even after 32 years, he’d do it again