The learning process is one that I suspect all of us here in the forums thrive upon. We love the lure of new ideas and methods and are unable to withstand the temptation of a new hobby. Each of us has come to this craft for one reason or another, but we share a zeal for creating usable objects from basic, mundane materials. There’s nothing inherently special about the materials alone. Their value is only realized when they’ve been transformed by an artisan into a product.
Above you will see a photo of cappuccino art. Generally called latte art, except of course when it adorns a cappuccino, the image is poured , swirled, and etched onto the surface of the crema topped espresso. This is not a particularly good example, having sat around for almost 10 minutes while I made my way to the workshop to take the photo. Latte art takes practice—even to do sub-par work like that pictured above.
There are many elements that contribute to a successful attempt at this art: fresh beans, even grinding, proper tamping and polishing, correct boiler temperature, sufficient steam, milk temperature, frother tip design. The aforementioned don’t even begin to cover the art of steaming milk to create just the right “texture” so that this kind of art may be created.
I have steamed dozens of gallons of milk practicing my technique. In fact, the environmentalist in me cringes to think how many of those failed attempts were simply poured down the drain. This was all preceded with hours of reading and watching examples of folks frothing the milk to get it just right. And of course, it is built upon years of learning and honing my espresso technique. Now, several years into pouring latte art I have the ability to, with little effort or thought, walk through the above steps and create the mediocre example above. A little more attention to details, or perhaps a more prompt photo session, would have yielded a more perfect effort.
Now, before you begin to think that I’ve posted this on the wrong website, I want to tie this into pipe making. Todd Johnson wrote an article a while back that is now a sticky in this section entitled Pipe Alchemy in which he encourages folks to learn to crawl before they try to walk. Every last one of the successful and recognized professional Pipemakers today has gone to great lengths to master the basics. Sixten Ivarsson, in an oft told, but not worn out story, is said to have demanded that the few apprentices he took on make a billiard. They were to make it perfectly. The apprentice presented the effort and Sixten corrected it. Each successive billiard was more refined than the last until Sixten offered his approval. Then he demanded that they make a dozen more exactly like it.
Part of the reason why today’s grand masters are in fact recognized as masters of their art is that they took the time to perfect the basic steps in pipemaking. They appreciated their teacher and respected his mastery of the craft. They took the opportunity to learn from him and from any other source that would contribute to the advancement of their skills—technically and artistically.
The problem is that the basics are boring once you’ve made your first or second run through the steps. As I was learning to froth milk for lattes I read and read, and then after I poured my first real, recognizable cup of “art.” I was convinced that I had mastered it. Then I tried to make another and was quickly put in my place. Pipemaking, like any such activity, demands discipline, attention, and humility if one is to advance. Not one person stepped up to the shaping wheel with a block of briar the first time and made a masterpiece. Some may have better results than others, but even if the first is promising, the second is sure to be a dog.
What we have here in this online community is an accumulation of knowledge in text. All of the necessary information for making your first pipe can be found here. A simple archival search on any given question—from buying the tools for your first pipe to the results of experiments with various bowl coating recipes—will yield useful and relevant information. Moreover, you have the chance to bend the ears of veteran professionals of the craft like Rad Davis, Todd Johnson, Jack Howell and others whose advice is both prescient and valuable.
Many of you who post here are just having fun. That’s great! I encourage you to continue to do so and continue to contribute your experiences and photos of your work. This post is directed at those hobbyists who have a genuine desire to improve their work and who entertain thoughts of transitioning their hobby into a vocation. I am attempting to offer advice to hobbyist Pipemakers at many stages of the game who wish to advance their skills. Learn to crawl. Master it. Post your efforts in the gallery for peer and professional review. Be patient and diligent. If you learn to crawl first, I can assure you that your first attempt to walk will surprise even you.
Best,
Jeff
Thankfully if I get them super cold (like right above freezing for over 24 hours) I can safely open the bottles and pour a glass. Just have to drink it before it warms up too much :p