During the beginning of class we started putting starter bubbles in glass - some that I had definitely struggled with last week before we wrapped up. Finally after about the 4th go, I was starting to master what we were after (apparently I was not blowing enough air into the pipe to form said bubble). As my threesome was moving back and forth from the glass chamber, the bench and glory hole, I began to realize that everyone's movements began to fall into a pattern. We were able to pick up on where each other was standing and anticipate where others were going. After a while, it began to feel pretty rhythmic, much like a waltz.
In the last hour we added a second layer of glass to our starter bubbles which would allow us to start blowing bigger ones which we will eventually turn into cups. All of the skills keep building upon one another (think calculus or chem) so a lot of the process we were familiar with. Once we had put in our starter bubble, making sure it was not too big/small, close to the edge of the glass and centered, we would go back and put a second gather on top. Then using a series of wooden blocks we would mold the glass down until we had a light bulb shape on the bottom and then put the piece into the glory hole to warm everything up to the same temperature (this would allow us to blow and even bubble). Back to the bench where we would use one of the tools to make sure it was the right shape and then out partner would blow into the pipe.
Then over to marver the glass to put in a bottom to cool off the bottom and elongate the whole structure. A few more small puffs of air and VOILA!! A GLASS BALL!
At the end of the class we were able to pick up the animal we had created last week. I am quite happy with how my bird turned out. In a few weeks we will be able to finish them up in the cold room (whatever that means).
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