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 tapes and Wayne has been able to expand his skills. It's made the craft new again after 26 years. 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. Wayne's first shop was at Marine World, Africa U. S. A. when it was in Redwood City. Through the park in 1978, as part of an exchange program he went to Japan and demonstrated his craft for 2 months.