How to Make a Gather in Glass Blowing

Glass blowing is a very unique art form that has grown in popularity in the last several decades. One of the first things learned in glass blowing is gathering the glass in preparation for blowing.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Glass
• Pipe
• Furnace
• Safety goggles

1. Start with a cool or slightly warm pipe. If the pipe was just previously used for another gather, it will be too hot and may have some carbon on it. Cap the pipe with your thumb so that hot air does not escape, and dip the end in water to cool it a bit.

2. Open the furnace door just enough to allow easy movement of the pipe. If the door is open too much, then too much heat can escape.

3. Rest the pipe on the sill of the furnace, and rotate the pipe toward the wall of the furnace.

4. Look for the glass in the furnace. Do not get close to the furnace to look for it. Move your head around a bit until you see a little bit of light reflection off the glass. Touch the pipe to the glass once you have found it.

5. Rotate the pipe twice, and the glass will gather onto the pipe. Bring the pipe up level, but leave it resting still on the sill of the furnace. The strand of hot glass breaks off once it is brought up level.

6. Remove the glass from the furnace. Hold the end of the pipe with hot glass downward at all times.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not attempt glassblowing at home; it needs to be learned in a controlled setting.
• Always wear safety goggles when working with hot glass.