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Glassblowing is an art and, as with most things that are considered arts, both a lot of attention and time are required to master it. Another thing that is required in large amounts is money, but if you think you have what it takes to learn and master the technique and work on your own then we have a list of the top 8 things any glass blower can’t be without.

Note: Some of these things are incredibly pricy so we would also recommend finding a studio you can rent space in that comes with some of these essentials. If you need help pricing these things you can ask around or fire up the Clearwireinternet and do some online shopping and comparisons.

1. Furnace – You need to heat up the glass so you can shape and mold it. These can all range in size but two types you will want to look into are pot and tank furnaces.

2. Annealer – This is temperature controlled oven that let’s glass cool slowly to avoid cracking.

3. Pipe warmer – Self-explanatory, this helps the molten glass stick to the pipe.

4. Catch buckets – When you shape the glass, parts of it are bound to drip and break away and you want to be sure and catch them before they start a fire.

5. Glass – You need glass to melt.

6. Safety equipment – This is molten glass you are dealing with. Get some protective overalls, face gear, and gloves that can handle the heat.

7. Torch – You can use the applied heat of the torch to bend and mold the glass.

8. Direct line of communication to emergency services – You should probably get this done as soon as possible. If you are doing this at home, install a cordless phone. If it’s a space you are renting, designate a spot to put your cell phone.

Kilns are useful tools in creating beautiful pieces of pottery and glass. Let’s go over a few do’s and dont’s that the user must keep in mind before operating a kiln:

DON’T touch the outer surface: Usually, a kiln will have more than adequate insulation. Even with this insulation, its outer surface can become hot enough to cause serious burns if you brush across it with bare skin.

DO wear gloves: Invest in a good pear of kiln Read the rest of this entry »

Many skilled craftsmen suffer from the annoyance of a work space that seems to hamper their creative flow. Fine tuning the set up of your work space can have more advantages than just being aesthetically pleasing. Begin by writing out how you normally like to work. List the tools you use most frequently, the supplies most often needed and the position you are most comfortable working in.

Now you have a text based diagram of your ideal work space. From those words, you can draft a detailed sketch of what your most successful Read the rest of this entry »

There are two basic methods used in glassblowing. The first, and the oldest, is known as free blowing. In the method, the glassblower begins by placing a small amount of molten glass on the end of his blowpipe. Using a serious of short puffs, he forms a small bubble of air inside the glass. He is then able to blow larger and larger puffs of air into the blowpipe, expanding the molten glass until it is the approximate Read the rest of this entry »

The centuries-old art of glass making has evolved over time, but some features have stayed the same. The right glass-making tools mean the difference between a beautiful, handcrafted piece and a disastrous waste of time and materials.

The blowpipe is absolutely essential when handcrafting glass. A metal, hollow tube typically between four and five feet in length, the blowpipe is narrow and widens at the end. Blowpipes are commonly made out of steel or iron, but weight and length vary, depending Read the rest of this entry »