Kind of a long read, but I think its worth it.
It's probably no secret by now that I am an avid glass collector, thats what brought me to grasscity in the first place.
I know there are others out there who either collect glass already or who are looking to get into scene.....my question is why? Why do we throw down hundreads of dollars on glass pieces? Why do we seek to own pieces by the top blowers throughout the country/world?
What is the point of having thousands of dollars worth of glass sitting in a case, proudly on display?
Well, heres my answer:
Glass collecting is fun and exciting for a number of reasons. The first and most obvious reason is the pure form of art. If you actually have the chance to visit a headshop that carries high end glass and you see one of these heady pieces firsthand...its hard to argue the heavy price tag that comes along with it.
These pieces are blown by true artists in every sense of the word. Although glass has become very popular within the marijuana community, it has only been popular for a short period of time. The artists that have hit the scene (within the last 10-15 years) are really the pioneers of the glass scene. They have taken the idea of simple glass pieces and turned them into what we see today.
If youre unsure of the work im talking about, check out the pieces by Toro, Slinger, FREEEK, etc. There is a site you can go to that displays the work of all of these top artists (although none of it is for sale):
www.glasspipes.org
One of two things will happen with the glass scene in the future. Either the laws on marijuana will become less and less (eventually leading to legalization) which will expand the glass buisness, or the laws will become even tighter on both marijuana and the glass culture (which I cant see happening considering the progress that is already being made) forcing the glass business to become almost non-existent.
Either way, by owning a top piece now you are owning something that defines a generation or smokers. Smoking has become much more than just rolling a joint and smoking it (at least for a large number of us). This generation of smokers is looking for top of the line pieces of glass that are both functional, as well as artistic.
I also believe the value of these heady pieces (if well taken care of) will rise as time goes on. These pieces will be sought after by glass colletors of the future who will want to own "pre-legalization" pieces....or pieces of art that really kicked off the glass craze of the 90's and early 00s. Imagine when artists like FREEEK and Slinger leave the glass scene....their work will become highly sought after, even more so than now I believe.
There was an incident a few months ago where a rumor was going around that roor.us (I believe?) was closing its doors and would no longer be making tubes. People in the glass community went nuts over this and had the rumor been true, collectors would have been scratching and clawing at the opportunity to get one before it was all said and done.
Finally, the next best thing to owning a piece like this is using it....followed by looking at it. Sounds simple enough. Use it, look at it, enjoy it.
For me, theres really nothing better than packin a bowl in a brand new heady piece, seeing how well it works, then sitting back and letting it all soak in as I enjoy my high and the fine piece of art that got me there.
Anyway, thats my little speech on why I enjoy collecting glass and where I see the whole scene going.
Why do you collect, or want to collect??