Category: Glass

What is “annealing” or the “annealing point”?

ANNEALING– The process of letting the glass cool very slowly so that internal stresses are removed and the glass is tougher than it was. What annealing is to us as glassblowers- This can mean a lot of things to us in the glass blowing world, yet still means the same thing. We anneal the glass …

Why does a vortex marble look deeper than it actually is?

This is caused by what is called an optical illusion.  The way the light bounces and the way it gets smaller as it goes away makes it seem deeper.  Its like a drawing that is 2d, but looks 3d. A good vortex will not end and look like a pin hole in the back.

What is a punty?

PUNTY- A temporary glass handle to hold the glass for working it.  You can always learn more on our glass terms and technique page.  

Are UV colors harder to work with?

Really all colors have their own working style.  Most colors are harder to work then clear, but if worked properly it really becomes more time to make sure the color does not boil.    

What makes moldavite compatible with borosilicate glass while other crystals are not?

It all comes down to the COE of the elements put in the glass.  Boro is 33 so it must be very very close to this or it will crack the glass as it cools. Moldavite is actually very close to borosilicate glass molecularly (both mostly composing of SiO2), making it more stable for blowing …

Why are the micro pendant pipes so expensive

Small glass does not always mean affordable or cheap.  Small glass can have a lot of time put into it, hence the higher price tag for small glass. A small pipe may take the same time to make as a large pipe, the small intricate work is very difficult for a person to do.

Why did my glass piece break when i set it down on the counter? Even though it has survived more severe falls

Each time a piece of glass makes a hit, that hit can cause stress in the glass that you might not be able to see.  As the stress builds up, this can cause the glass to break. Just a scratch in glass can cause a nasty stress in the glass making that a weak point …

Why do some glass colors have more natural air bubbles than others?

Why are some colors more “bubbly” than others? (i.e. slyme vs sublime) This is due to the minerals that are added to the glass to get the color.  Sometimes the minerals just keep boiling causing the air bubbles. We also think this happens as the color companies may be in a rush to find new …

what is the difference between a disk flip and a fillacello

These are basically the same thing.  Really depending on what part of the country will determine what terminology is used. The artist draws an image or pattern on the outside and then turns it inside out. See a fillacello See Flip Disc    

Is the opal in my pipe real or what is the opal in my pipe made from?

The opals in pipes are synthetic Gilson opals.  Real opals will crack. OPALS- Opal is one of the world’s most beautiful and precious gemstones, predominantly found in Australia. It is one of only six types of precious gemstones found on planet earth, sharing prestigious company with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls. You can not …