Bit of a Breather

I spent all of last week working on pipes for the Artwalk show that I mentioned before. Several nights I went without sleep. Not exactly my ideal working situation but between working two jobs and trying to get more experience working with Briar I have to do what needs to get done.

My real goal with this show was to get my pipes in front of more people here in my home town. The tobacco pipe 'scene' here isn't very big but it is growing, thankfully. I not only want to nurture my pipe making but also the pipe smoking community here. This being a college town I am frequently asked "do you blow glass!?" when I tell people that I make pipes, I am getting rather sick of it but there isn't much to be done about that.

Anyway, I digress. I managed to produce seven pipes in the eight days leading up to the show. A time frame I hope to never re produce. I do not like the idea of sacrificing quality for quantity, and ever the perfectionist; I think I could have done better on several of the pipes.

These are the more traditional three that I finished, I am still having trouble getting the Vulcanite to get the high gloss shine but I think the slight matte finish is also a good look.

In total I made a Dublin, a Billiard, a bent Billiard nosewarmer, a giant bent Tomato sitter, two Blowfish, and one freehand sitter that is hard for me to describe. Unfortunately I don't have photos of on of the Blowfish, or the undescribed pipe yet. I will post a follow-up with those.

The opening for the show was on Friday the 1st, we had a small turnout however the show will remain up until the end of the month and so far I have had some encouraging feedback and interest in several of the pipes. 

 One of the favorites so far is this giant bent Tomato. It also happens to be one of my favorites as well, it has a nice weight and still fits nicely in the hand or alone on the table. It was also the first one I finished for the show.

I really had a lot of fun with this piece. Consequently it was also the first pipe that I drilled 'Freehand', I am now hooked and will use this technique from now on. It enables one to very accurately drill the Tobacco chamber and air holes. It also lessened my dependance on the drill press.

 My second favorite pipe is this Blowfish. It was my first attempt at one and I am rather pleased with it. I also added a Pearlite band on the bit. If this pipe doesn't get much attention I will simply keep this one for myself.

I am thrilled to be in this show and am thankful that I had this opportunity to get my pieces out where more people can see them. I am looking forward to the comments and critiques I receive on these pipes.


For now, I must go. My legs are starting to fall asleep as my lapdog 'Dozer' has been quietly keeping to his namesake as I sit here and write. Thank you for stopping by, I will post more pictures of the pipes I have accomplished and post updates about how the pipes are being received.


-Fumo Somnium

Back in the Habit again.

Finally back to doing what I truly enjoy: crafting a pipe. After a six month hiatus I have once again picked up hammer and chisel, so to speak. More like file and briar, but that just doesn't have the same ring to it.


I received a shot in the arm recently. As it happens a local gentleman -who recently took up the art of pipe crafting- walked into the showroom where I work and asked the owner if he could show his pipes at the next 'artwalk' ( a first Friday tradition downtown ). Something I myself had approached the boss with a few months ago. His response was that he could, but only if I went in on the show as well. The other gentleman had no idea I also made pipes and the look on his face was entertaining. I agreed and we decided on the April artwalk, just so happens that the first Friday in April is also the 1st.

As it was the week of my 30th birthday at the time, I decided to splurge on something that I had wanted for almost a year. I purchased a small bench top wood lathe. Then I ordered some briar, and got to work. I need to have a steep learning curve with the lathe as I don't want to waste the Briar. I'm a little nervous putting any of my pipes on display, especially being on such a time crunch. I hope to gain some valuable experience from this little experiment. With any luck I won't "loose" any briar in the process and will have at least six new pipes to show.

I'll be sure to make updates with my progress.