Demonstration video by the Toledo Museum of Art. Watch the artist create an elaborate flask.
This glass flask was made by a glass artist, Gideon Rockwood. However it was not made using a furnace and blowpipe, but another process called flameworking.
In the past, glassmakers might use an oil lamp, with a bellow air pump. But today’s flameworker most often uses a torch.
Boro glass is not like what is found in a glass blowing furnace. Boroscilicate has a hotter melting temperature, and is able to be reheated again and again.
In this demonstration the artist uses one of the tube as a blowpipe, and seals the other end.
Hot glass can be placed on the outside of the tube for decorative purposes.
The artist uses a couple sections of boro to make the top and bottom pieces.
He is then able to spin them in the torch to melt them together.
Do you have a video demonstration showing a piece you’ve made? We would love to see it. Comment below with a link, and we might just feature it on our site!
