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“Could you make one that’s a Christmas tree?” I could suddenly see it so clearly. “It would be small.”
“Like a tabletop tree for counters?”
“Yes, that way you don’t have to always have a real or artificial tree to showcase them.” It would be perfect for stores.
Talon pulled out paper and a pencil from a stash he kept near his worktable. He quickly sketched one.
“That’s it.”
Talon braced his hands on the table while he scrutinized the sketch. “People could put them on their mantle or shelf to showcase ornaments. It would be ideal for those who can’t or don’t want to have a real tree.”
“That would be amazing. But I don’t want to take you away from your work.”
“Last year, my challenge was creating the fixtures for the holiday light display. I didn’t have anything new to do this year, and I enjoyed coming up with something that could work for you.”
When you didn’t have a challenge as an artist, things got boring or stagnant. “If you’re sure you have time to make a prototype. Maybe we can test it out in the shop first.”
“But first, let’s get your kiln running so you can blow some glass,” Talon said with a wink.
He hadn’t flirted with me since we started whatever this was. He’d been nice, but I hadn’t caught any sexual overtones. It was the first glimpse I’d seen of who we used to be.
“Are you sure I won’t disrupt your work by being here?”
“Not at all.”
“If it’s a problem, you’ll tell me?” I didn’t want to do anything that would hurt him, even if it was just work related.
“Of course,” Talon said as I got everything ready to work. I had so many ideas, but I wanted to start with the one that had me the most excited. It was complicated. I should have started with icicles, but I wanted to see if I could make a bird. I could tint it any color I wanted, but I was worried I wouldn’t get the shape right. I sketched one on a piece of paper.
Talon whistled when he saw it. “You’re starting with the most complicated design?”
I grinned. “If I can do this, then I can make anything.”
“I have full confidence in you.”
“The first step is to heat the glass.” I put on safety goggles and gloves as I placed the glass inside the kiln. It would need to heat to a high temperature before I inserted the blowpipe inside. As we watched the kiln heat and the glass become malleable, excitement ripped through me. I couldn’t believe I was blowing glass on my own kiln.
With my budget, I didn’t think this would be possible for a while. My plan had been to find a local shop where I could use their kiln.
When it was heated to the right temperature, I inserted the blowpipe to test whether it was malleable. I rolled the pipe over the glass until I had a glob on the end of it. Because the glass cooled quickly, I had to keep placing the glass back in the kiln to reheat it, and then to the marver to shape it.
By the time my stomach was rumbling, sweat dripped down my back. But I still hadn’t gotten it right. Talon watched but then went to work on something at his table. I was so focused on shaping the glass I hadn’t paid attention to the time.
Eventually, Talon tapped my shoulder. When I placed the glass back in the kiln, I removed the goggles.
“Let’s take a break.”
“It’s still not right.” I was starting to doubt my ability.
“We have time.”
I reluctantly put everything away and joined Talon as we headed across the lawn to his cabin. The cool air felt good on my overheated skin. I could use a shower, but I knew I’d be back at it after I ate something.
“I thought you usually work through meals because you’re so focused?”
In the kitchen, Talon pulled out meat and veggies. “That’s when I’m working. But you’re here, and I’m worried about you.”
“I’m going to wash up.”
