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"Lampworking"
is the technical term for the art of melting and forming raw glass
into shapes by using a special high-temperature torch. Although
"glass blowing" is frequently used to describe this form
of glass art, the "correct" term is actually "lampworking".
Since many people are more familiar with the term "hand blown
glass" I regularly use both "lampwork" glass and
"hand blown" glass to describe the art that I create.
I use a 3,000°+ degree oxygen/propane torch to melt the special
"borosilicate"
glass rods that I use. You can see the green and red knobs on
top of my torch where I control the mixture of gases. Although it
takes considerably longer to work this type of glass, the finished
piece is much stronger and more durable than the more common "soda-lime"
glass. Colors are produced by various metals and metal oxides added
to the glass. I also use precious metals such as gold and silver
in different ways to achieve special effects.
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