I love the quiet sounds of cutting antique wavy glass. The gentle scores, the crisp snaps are somewhat hypnotic.

I cut freehand, rarely using a straight edge or even a marker, and teach my students to do the same. “Trust Thyself” and develop the skills.

It’s ok to use a straight edge or a marked line, or both. That’s part of mastering the movement. But eventually one must let go of the training wheels and ride to experience the full thrill and exhilaration of cutting antique wavy glass freehand.

I didn’t cut every piece perfectly. One of my long cuts even went astray, ruining my piece. That’s ok. That’s part of the game. Gotta have an extra piece on hand.

By the way, wavy glass isn’t free, or cheap. It’s a serious upgrade as our supply of the authentic good stuff keeps going to the landfills in truckloads. As the supply diminishes, the value of these pieces goes way up. Don’t forget that, or take it for granted. To do so is t to urinate on our Artisan heritage.