Glass BlowingThis past weekend I enjoyed a "girlfriend getaway" to the Oregon coast. Besides lots of catching up, a highlight was trying my hand at glass blowing. One of the friends wanted to make glass floats as gifts and recruited me as an extra set of hands. What fun!
My "helper", reaching into an oven with temps over 2000 degrees...
...a rod was covered with molten glass...
...and rolled into broken shreds of colored glass.
The rod was then placed into another oven to reheat the glass and colored pieces, all the while rotating the rod so as to even out the glass surface and create "swirls" of color.
"Pinching" with tweezers to make more swirls of color.
And back to the oven...more heating!
Then finally, what on earth am I doing here?
Blowing air into the glass so it expands to create the hollow glass float.
{I listened closely to the instructions to NOT BREATH IN.}
And the result...kind of.
fyi: This is not the glass float I made. I liked this one made by my friend much better!
So...that is the one I'm showing you.
I'm looking forward to doing this again on a return trip to the beach.
Perhaps a paperweight, wouldn't that be fun?
34 comments:
This is such a neat idea! It sounds so fun. I'd love to try this one day!!
Lauren http://www.laurensweetnothings.blogspot.com/
My husband would be good at this. He can be full of hot air. HA!
It does look like fun though.
That looks like lots of fun! Also loving your boots and sweater too!
I would love to try something like this! Looks like so much fun!
I first read this on the House of Fifty blog and thought just maybe you had posted the one you made over on this blog! Ha, I guess you really didn't like it!!!
When we go to Stone Mountain park, I always have to go to the glass shop! They make a lot of their pieces in front of you and I think its just so cool! I picked up a ring the last time I was there:)
Ha, ha! Lakeitha, I did like the one I made, but I like the one my friend Carol made better! (plus the photos of the one I made weren't great, but seriously, I can post it.)
:) Janell
We visited this studio when we were over at the beach last spring. I could have stayed there watching for hours. I hope to go back the next time we are over there. Do you know about the glass studio called Elemens Glass here in Portland?
What fun! I have always wanted to try this. Love those boots!
So cool! And you look fantastic in your cableknit sweater, Janell!
What a fun idea! love the float your friend made..and yes.. your boots too! xx meenal
Are you kidding me? Yours is beautiful, i love the colors. Very fun!
This is one thing I've always wanted to do! It has intrigued me for years - so fun! :)
Gorgeous! I blew a glass ornament last December and loved the experience. My husband studied the art in college as well. It's become my favorite art genre to collect.
Oh, how fun! I have always wanted to try this! What a great girl's weekend. I, too, love your boots!
That looks like so much fun. I would love to try that. I love you stylish you look even blowing glass! Love the boots.
Call me vain but you know what I am thinking the entire time I am going through your post.....whose sweater and boots are those!! lol.....you look great being a glassblower! Looks like a lot of fun!
Such a fun trip. I love your appetite for life!! I watched glass blowing at a museum last summer and found it to be fascinating. Would love to try and make my own creation. I want to see yours too!
Love it! Looks like so much fun.
Oh my gosh that looks like fun. Ever since the one contestant on American Idol has a glass blower's apprentice (remember her? Siobhan or something?) I've wanted to try it.
Show us what you made too!
So funny to read the other comments because I was also drawn to your sweater and boots and immediately used my rewards card to buy it!! You look awesome in that outfit...love it! The glass blowing was cool too, but I was even more impressed by your style!!
Oh too funny! Well, you inspired me, look for a post on my boots tomorrow...which I kind of love...
Janell
That looks like so much fun..
I saw this done on the island of Murano years ago and thought it was the bomb. So cool you got to try it! M.
so-much-fun!! what a fun, unique thing to do.
We go to the Oregon coast every summer (I live in Seattle). Would love to know the details of where you went, I have always wanted to try blowing glass!
I had the same question as Andrea, since I am from Portland...would LOVE to do this!!! We are going to be home in PDX for Christmas so I'm wondering if this could be a family outing or something....would love to hear the details! What a fun experience - thanks for sharing.
http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/
I have always wanted to do this! Thanks for sharing! BTW, love your boots!
This is so cool! Would love to try this one day as well!
Have a great day, Janell!
Jessie
www.mixandchic.com
The glass studio is in Lincoln City, OR. @ 4820 SW Hwy 101. They have a boutique across the st., their number is: 503-996-2569
Well worth it! Enjoy, Janell
Beautiful!
I did a blue/green starfish when we were at the coast in May...it was so much fun :) Nothing like decorating with quality hand-made things that remind us of travels with loved ones :)
Amazing! I would love to try this!!
www.inside-outdesign.blogspot.com
That's awesome!!
What a wonderful opportunity to learn AND have great fun AND have something tangible to remember it all by! Now I know I have to find a chance to get back to Lincoln City. Thanks for sharing the tale!
I love glass art! I've seen it done up close but what a treat to try your hand at it.
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