How to Blow Glass: Base and Missed Sections

The process of glassblowing is as much an art as the final glass product. A glassblower inflates molten glass into a sphere that he or she will stretch into a vase or jar or any kind of glasswork imaginable. You'll want to start at the base part of the glass piece first and expand from there. Also fill in any missed sections that may have gotten lumpy or too thin.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Put the glass blob (called punty) on the end of the blowpipe. The punty is hot, about 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, to the point that it looks white.

2. Blow short puffs of air through the blowpipe into the molten punty you've gathered at the other end of the blowpipe until it resembles the shape you want.

3. Begin expanding the base of the jar and then work up toward the neck. Make sure you are rotating the blowpipe as you blow to get the glass nice and even while it inflates. The outside of the glass blob has an instant type of elastic skin from the sudden removal of the furnace. By blowing into the inside of the blob, you are forming another skin with your cool breath on the inside, which gives the punty a form you can then inflate to a certain shape.

4. Take it to the thickness you desire. You can blow the glass so that it is really thin or keep it thick.

5. Reheat the project and scoop up some more punty glass if you see missing pieces. Carefully pat it on with tongs or tweezers.

6. Puff out any imperfections. Work on the individual places you want to reshape, but blow carefully so you don't ruin the whole piece because these areas are generally already thin.