Glassblower Notes on iPhone: Color Formulas, Gather Sequences & Annealing Notes
How glassblowers use Nemos to capture color batch formulas, gather technique observations, annealing schedules, and commission details between furnace sessions.
Note-Taking for Glassblowers
Glass blowing combines intense physical skill with precise chemistry. Color batch formulas, gather temperature timing, working sequences for complex forms, annealing schedules, and commission client specifications all require accurate documentation. The challenge: you can't take notes while working. Nemos captures everything in the moments between.
What Glassblowers Track
Color and batch: - Color formula notes (colorant percentages, base glass, firing temperature ranges) - Batch results — color achieved vs. expected, adjustments for next batch - Color compatibility notes (which colors strike well together, which cause incompatibility issues) - Frit and powder density notes for specific effects
Technique and sequence: - Gather sequence steps for complex multi-part forms - Timing notes for heat-gathering cycles on large pieces - Blowpipe vs. punty attachment notes for specific forms - Temperature observations for specific viscosity behavior
Annealing and kiln: - Annealing schedule notes by glass thickness and piece complexity - Kiln capacity notes and load configuration observations - Cool-down rate adjustments for pieces with thick/thin transitions
Commission and production: - Commission client notes (specifications, approved samples, delivery dates) - Production run notes (how many gathers required, failure rate, time per piece) - Gallery and wholesale pricing notes - Booth display and show notes
Capturing Between Sessions
The hot shop doesn't allow phone use — that's fine. The best time to capture notes is the 15 minutes after a session ends, while the observations are fresh. What worked in the gather sequence today, what color batch needs adjustment, what the commission client said at the last review — all captured before the session recedes from memory.
FAQ
How do I track color formula iterations? A note per color name with batch version history. Note colorant percentage, base glass, and temperature range for each attempt, plus the result. Over time this becomes your personal color reference.
Should I note annealing failures? Yes — cracked or broken pieces often reveal annealing schedule issues. Timestamped notes on failures, piece thickness, and schedule used build a pattern that improves your process.
What about notes on teaching or workshops? Personal teaching notes — which concepts students struggle with, which exercises work well, how to explain gather timing — are valuable for running better workshops.
How do I organize gallery and show notes? Tag by venue name and year. Notes on sales volume, price points that sold, and booth configuration help you optimize for repeat shows.
Is Nemos useful for tracking commission status? A per-commission note with client contact, specifications, agreed timeline, deposit status, and completion notes keeps you on top of custom work without a separate system.
What about glass supplier notes? Supplier name, product line, color catalog numbers, and notes on batch consistency or availability — essential when a color you rely on changes or discontinues.
Related Reading
- Ceramicist Notes on iPhone
- Blacksmith Notes on iPhone
- Mural Artist Notes on iPhone
- Craft Artist iPhone Workflow
Sources
- Studio glass practice documentation from professional glassblowers
- Glass batch chemistry and colorant application standards
- Hot shop safety and production workflow practices
Taha built Némos after years of losing screenshots and voice memos across a dozen apps. He writes about on-device AI, personal knowledge management, and building privacy-first tools for iPhone.
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