15/09/2026
To our amazing friends, family, and followers:
Today, we want to pull back the curtain and share a bit about what goes on behind the scenes at Black Dragon IGR LLC.
Many of you may not know that we are a very small, veteran-owned company. Because of our size, we don't qualify for traditional business loans, and we don't have major corporate sponsors. We are incredibly grateful for the one sponsor we do have—Bethlehem Apparatus Torch Company, who generously donated our main torch, the Champion Bravo Sharp Flame. Beyond that, our operations are fueled entirely by the dedication of our team and the kindness of our inner circle.
Running a business like this takes immense passion and personal sacrifice. Our owner, Mike, has personally funded essentials like our LLC licensing and advertising software out of pocket. Chris, our lead glassblower, pours his heart into his work despite being medically disabled and currently navigating the disability process, which limits what he can financially contribute right now. We are also deeply thankful for two anonymous friends who provide a small line of credit to keep our oxygen flowing, pay our site fees, and cover our insurance and trailer maintenance. In exchange, they receive a modest percentage of our event earnings.
While we make it work, these overhead costs leave us with little to no budget for crucial day-to-day supplies. We currently lack the funds for basic necessities like raw glass, display tables, business cards, and even our website, which we recently had to cancel. We also go through at least one vendor tent every season due to heavy wear and tear.
Why are we being so transparent with you? Because we are deeply passionate about keeping these time-honored, old-world crafts alive, and we cannot do it alone. We want to ensure these traditional arts are never forgotten.
To keep our forge lit and our torches burning this season and next, we are humbly asking for our community's support. We have put together an Amazon Wishlist of essential items we need to replace or acquire. Please know there is absolutely no pressure, but if you are in a position to help, any contribution from the list would mean the world to us.
Our Amazon Wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2345NSLXJK9L7?ref_=wl_share
If you would prefer to support us in other ways, gift certificates to our suppliers are also incredibly helpful for covering raw materials and fuel:
Tractor Supply (for propane): https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/egift-card?cm_sp=Espot--Gift%20Card%20LP--eGift%20Card
Airgas (for oxygen): https://www.giftly.com/gift-card/airgas-store?srsltid=AfmBOop1VjrpQHReX9RL26MEDvklAwqcEFt05nUS-Kt5HbsYV0aT2-vQ
Asheville Glass Company (raw glass): https://www.ashevilleglasssupply.com/collections/gift-cards
ABR Imagery (glass and tools): https://www.ashevilleglasssupply.com/collections/gift-cards
Please share this post with your friends. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support!
