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Flameworking Classes with Jack Barnes

General

  • No experience required!

  • Pieces completed on the day of your lesson will be available to pick up the next day when the kiln is cooled down

  • Make sure to bring lots of water and eat before, glassblowing is a very heat intensive activity

  • Wear closed toe shoes with thick soles

  • Wear pants

 

Safety

  • Make sure you follow all rules and safety instructions

  • Don't touch hot glass/tools

  • Don't reach under the flame

  • Beware of pulling glass too thin and creating glass splinters

  • Beware of blowing glass too thin and creating bubble trash

  • When setting down hot glass/tools, face them away from you

  • All glass scraps and trash goes into the trash bucket on desk

  • Vent fan will be running while the torch is on to ensure all fumes are getting ventilated and fresh air is coming in

  • When turning on torch: Propane → Oxygen

  • When turning off torch: Oxygen → Propane

 

Terminology

  • Torch/ Mini Torch - A tool that produces a flame used for heating glass in glassblowing or lampworking. A mini torch is a smaller version of the torch.

  • Gas oxygen/propane - The fuel combination used to power the torch. Oxygen supports combustion, while propane provides the heat.

  • Kiln/anneal - A furnace used to heat-treat glass objects to relieve internal stresses and strengthen them. Annealing is the process of slowly cooling the glass in the kiln to prevent cracking or breaking.

  • Glass rod/tubing - Solid glass rods or hollow tubes are used as the starting material for glassblowing or lampworking.

  • Glass color

    • Rod - glass color that comes in rod form, generally about 7-9mm thick

    • Tubing - premade tubing with glass color

    • Frit - Crushed or ground glass particles that can be used for decorative purposes or as a colorant in glassblowing.

    • Striking colors - Glass colors that change their appearance when exposed to heat or different lighting conditions.

  • Stringer - Thin glass rods or threads used for detailed designs or delicate work.

  • Bubble trash - glass trash from getting blown out too thin, very harmful if inhaled

  • Punty - A solid rod used to hold and support the glass piece during the process.

  • Blowtube - a glass tube used for connecting and holding hollow pieces 

  • Foot pedal - A control mechanism operated by foot pressure that regulates the flow of gas and oxygen to the torch.

  • Graphite tools - Tools made from graphite, a heat-resistant material, used for shaping and manipulating hot glass.

  • Scuzz/boil - Impurities or contaminants that can appear as bubbles or discoloration on the glass surface during the heating process.

  • Marver - A flat surface, often made of steel or graphite, used to shape and cool the glass.

  • Reamer - A tool used to widen the opening of a glass hole

easy.

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