How to Craft Glass Orbs
Glass blowing is a centuries-old tradition, still practiced by a select handful of artisans. Industrial machinery has yet to recreate the artistry of hand-blown glass. The productions of these gifted artisans serve both utilitarian and aesthetic purposes. Crafting your own glass orbs requires access to all the glass blower's usual hardware. Developing proper technique demands both time and patience, but once perfected, the manipulation of molten glass will prove a rewarding, fruitful pastime.
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Instructions
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Dip the iron pipe into the furnace of molten glass. Roll the pipe several times, and lift it out of the glass. If you need more material, dip the pipe back into the molten glass. Otherwise, remove the pipe and glass from the furnace, and move to a stainless steel table.
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Gently rotate the iron pipe back and forth in your hands, as you move from the furnace to the table. This prevents the semi-liquid glass from drooping and becoming difficult to shape properly.
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Rest the glass on the steel table, and roll it side-to-side. The table, called a marver, will help the glass cool. If the orb becomes misshapen, place it back in the furnace for several seconds.
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Lay the pipe flat on the table, with the glass orb just over the edge. Using the jack tool, which looks like giant iron tweezers, squeeze the orb firmly just above the end of the pipe. Keep the glass moving and continue squeezing with the jack tool, until you see an indentation all around the bottom of the orb.
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Dribble a few drops of water into the indentation. Avoid getting water on the orb, as this may cause cracking. Take the glass to the annealing oven.
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Insert the glass orb into the annealing oven, and tap the iron pipe on the side of the oven. The orb should break off at the indentation. The annealing oven allows the hot glass to cool down gradually, preventing cracks or fractures.
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Pull the glass orb out of the annealing oven, after about 24 hours. Wear gloves, because the glass may still be very hot to the touch. Use a table grinder and polisher to smooth out the rough end of the orb.
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Tips & Warnings
To add splashes of color to clear glass, cover the marver table with small bits of colored glass. Roll the hot glass over the bits until they embed themselves. Move back to the furnace and add more clear glass, sealing in the colored bits.
Craft a hollow orb by blowing into the pipe. Pay attention to the thickness of the sides. You will need to roll the orb strategically to maintain a constant thickness. If one side becomes too dense, roll it back and forth on that side to thin the material.
A glass furnace typically maintains a temperature of 2,000 degrees F. The tools you use to shape the glass also become very hot. Wear protective gloves and an apron when working with molten glass. Know your surroundings so that you don't trip or accidentally burn something with the hot glass.
References
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