Design Creation
Technically our work is known as lamp work or bench glass blowing. Each piece is created freehand within the tight confines of the flame area. The flame is over 2000°C and varying thicknesses of glass rod are used to build up the shape of the creation.
The finished item is then fired in the kiln to even out the stresses that build up while the object is being made; this process completed, it is taken into the staining room to have another intense handling for colouring. Mixtures of metal oxides are applied to the surface of the glass to give a range of varying hues. The different metals, once fired, give colours of gold, silver, pink, blue, green and amber.
Design ideas come from various sources. Developments in other materials, or commissions from customers, ideas are generally worked straight into the glass. Sometimes drawings are used to work out how the glass will be held in the flame, but most designs are spontaneous and refinements worked on as the item develops.
