How to Blow Glass

Co-authored by Michelle Plucinsky

Last Updated: February 26, 2024 References

Glassblowing is the art of creating glass sculptures by manipulating molten glass in a very hot furnace. It is a fun way to express your creativity and try working with a new material. Blowing glass requires working closely with heat and glass, so make sure you take all the necessary precautions before you roll, blow, and shape the glass.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Gathering the Glass on the Pipe

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1
Place the molten glass in the furnace. Use heat resistant gloves to place the molten glass in the furnace. The furnace should be heated to 2,000 °F (1,090 °C) to melt the glass.^{[1]
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- Heating and melting the glass will make it more malleable and easier to gather on the blowpipe.
2
Put the pipe in the furnace and gather the glass. Put one end of the pipe in the furnace, holding the pipe straight. You may need an assistant to open the door of the furnace for you so you can put it in the pipe. Then, roll the pipe around in the furnace to gather the glass. You want to get as much of the glass on the pipe as you can so you have a lot to work with.^{[2]
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- You can try to open the furnace door yourself if you do not have someone to assist you, but it may be tricky to do if you are a beginner glassblower.
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Carry the glass on the pipe to the marver. Roll it on the marver in a continuous, round motion. The marver will help to distribute the heat on the glass evenly and allow you to shape the glass into a symmetrical cylinder.^{[3]
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Roll the glass in the heat of the glory hole so it stays hot. This will ensure it does not become too hard or tough for blowing.^{[4]
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5
Dip the glass into a crushed colored glass to add color. If you want your blown glass piece to have flecks of color in it, carefully dip it in a steel bowl of crushed glass. Add one layer of crushed glass to each side of the rounded glass by dipping it once in each color.^{[5]
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- Once you’ve dipped the glass put it back in the crucible and turn it several times so the crushed glass melts.
Try to get it to form the shape of a bullet. Keep the sides even and rounded so the glass is easier to blow.^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Blowing the Glass

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1
Place the pipe on a stand. Use a steel stand that can hold the pipe securely. This will make blowing into the pipe easier.^{[7]
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- If you do not have access to a stand, you can blow the pipe by holding it just above the marver. However, it may be tricky for you to hold the pipe and blow into it at the same time, especially if you are a beginner.
2
Blow into the pipe and roll it at the same time. Let out deep breaths into the pipe to blow air into the glass. Turn the pipe as you blow into it so the air is evenly dispersed. Blow into the glass continuously with even breathes for 10-15 seconds.^{[8]
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- Do not blow into the glass for too long, as you do not want it to become too cool or lose too much heat. Blow into it for 10-15 second intervals so it stays hot.
Turn pipe several times as the glass heats up in the crucible.^{[9]
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Continue blowing into the end of the pipe to expand the glass. Always turn it as you blow. Then, return it to the crucible and turn it several times. Blow and heat the glass until you have blown the glass to the size and shape you want.^{[10]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Cooling the Glass

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The assistant will run the tweezers, called jacks, around the bottom of the blown glass as you turn the pipe. This will help to cut the bottom and loosen the glass so it can come off.^{[11]
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2
Tap the pipe to remove the blown glass. Use a wooden block to hit the pipe once so the blown glass comes off the pipe where the glass has been cut. Make sure your assistant is ready, wearing heat resistant gloves, to catch the blown glass when it comes off the pipe.^{[12]
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- Try to hit the pipe only once with a hard and firm whack. Doing it more than once can cause the blown glass to crack or break.
The annealing oven should be kept at 960 °F (516 °C). Wearing heat resistant gloves, put the blown glass in the oven. The oven should then be cooled down over 14 hours to room temperature. The slow cool-down period will prevent the blown glass from cracking or breaking.^{[13]
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Take the blown glass out of the annealing oven after 14 hours. Inspect it for any sharp edges, especially on the bottom. Use a grinding block to carefully smooth them out.^{[14]
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Staying Safe When Glassblowing

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Protect your feet by wearing sneakers with socks or shoes that cover your feet. Do not wear shoes made of plastic or other flammable materials.
These materials are breathable and will help to protect your arms and legs from the heat. Avoid wearing clothing that contains plastic, nylon, or other potentially flammable material.
You can buy heat-resistant gloves at your local hardware store or online. Make sure the gloves are heat-resistant up to at least 2,000 °F (1,090 °C). Always wear heat-resistant gloves when you are touching the hot glass or hot metal while glassblowing.
4
Take a glassblowing class. Look for a glassblowing class at your local art center or glass studio to perfect your skills and ensure you are blowing glass safely. Take a class with a seasoned glassblower.
- Taking a glassblowing class will give you access to all the tools and materials you need to practice this art. You will also be able to watch your instructor demonstrate how to blow glass successfully.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What's the melting point of glass?

Michelle Plucinsky
Glassblowing Expert
Michelle Plucinsky is a Glassblowing Expert based in Dearborn, Michigan. Michelle is the Co-Owner and Creative Director of Glass Academy, an educational facility showcasing glass experiences, hands-on classes, and seasonal events. Glass Academy’s facility functions as an art studio for the founding partners, where large-scale commissioned projects are fabricated and handcrafted glass objects are sold. The Glass Academy aims to expand consumer awareness of how handcrafted glass can be utilized as both functional and decorative elements in modern applications. Michelle has an extensive background in the glass arts, has taught at the professional level at the Corning Museum of Glass, traveled to work abroad in Italy, and ran a production studio within Dearborn’s Henry Ford Museum. She attended Alfred University.

Michelle Plucinsky

Glassblowing Expert

Expert Answer

To melt our specific type of glass, the furnace must reach a temperature of 2400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is crucial for liquefying both the glass and the pot in which it is contained. Different types of glass, ranging from soft glass to hard glass, generally melt within the temperature range of 2400 to 2900 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Question

How do I make a design for glass-blowing?

Michelle Plucinsky
Glassblowing Expert
Michelle Plucinsky is a Glassblowing Expert based in Dearborn, Michigan. Michelle is the Co-Owner and Creative Director of Glass Academy, an educational facility showcasing glass experiences, hands-on classes, and seasonal events. Glass Academy’s facility functions as an art studio for the founding partners, where large-scale commissioned projects are fabricated and handcrafted glass objects are sold. The Glass Academy aims to expand consumer awareness of how handcrafted glass can be utilized as both functional and decorative elements in modern applications. Michelle has an extensive background in the glass arts, has taught at the professional level at the Corning Museum of Glass, traveled to work abroad in Italy, and ran a production studio within Dearborn’s Henry Ford Museum. She attended Alfred University.

Michelle Plucinsky

Glassblowing Expert

Expert Answer

Begin the glass-blowing design process by sketching out your ideas in a sketchbook. Develop a clear design or process based on your creative vision. Your choice of design and style will depend on your skill level, so consider your proficiency in glass blowing. Don't be afraid to make a mistake; remember that you'll learn valuable lessons in the process. Once you have a well-defined design and understand the required skill level, proceed to gather the necessary materials and tools for the glass-blowing project. Execute the design with precision, paying attention to details to bring your artistic vision to life through the craft of glass blowing.

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What is a glass blower called?

Community Answer

Someone who blows glass is called a glassblower, glassmith, or a gaffer.

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Warnings

Do additional research before attempting to blow glass.

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If it is your first time blowing glass, attend a workshop at the glass studio or take a glass blowing class.

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Always wear proper equipment.

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Do not attempt to blow glass at home.

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