Unpopular opinion: My niece thinks my blowpipe is a new toy and it's stressing me out.

I spend hours in my studio perfecting pieces. Last weekend, my niece came over and grabbed my blowpipe while I was heating glass. She didn't know it was hot and almost got burned. I had to stop everything to make sure she was safe. Now I'm scared to have her visit when I'm working. It's hard because I want to share my passion, but safety comes first. Maybe I need to set clearer rules or just work when no one is around.

3 comments

3 Comments

lane.cameron2mo ago

Oh man, that sounds so stressful! I can't imagine how scary that must have been. You're totally right to put safety first like that.

paul_thomas2mo ago

Yeah I read about a glass artist who uses a baby gate across their studio door. Works like a charm. Kids see it as a clear line they can't cross. Your studio isn't a playground, it's a workshop with real dangers. That near miss proves you can't have soft rules here. A physical barrier is the only way to be sure.

hunt.quinn2mo ago

Is it really that serious? Kids get into stuff all the time, and a close call is just part of growing up. You were right there to stop it, so no harm done. Why turn your studio into a fortress over one incident? Can't you just explain the danger and keep a closer watch next time? It feels like you're making a bigger deal out of this than needed.