Artisanal Handicraft

Glass Blowing
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 Glass is hard material which is in a typical
form. Pure glass is transparent. Its surface is pretty
hard and difficult to get eroded. However, it is
fragile and breakable. Its fracture is sharp. Its
characteristic can be easily changed once mixed
with other substance or once heated up. It has a
high melting point. It is not melted in any substance
and not flammable.

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Glass Blowing : Characteristics
which reflect the local wisdom
and artisan expertise
Glass can be produced into many kinds of appliance.
It has been developed in industrial work continuously.
Glass blowing, which was discovered in the Middle East,
has been also developed along glass production industry.
Glass blowing is to bend a glass rod into various
shapes by heat. It is considered as high art. A blower
has to apply knowledge on both science and art. He/she
must keep practicing to become an expert in order
to produce good and creative works.
Main components of glass blowing consist of
3 parts, including quality of raw material, knowledge Finally, it is imagination of a glass blower together
on chemicals and imagination of a blower. Choosing with ability to adapt raw material to create the works.
good quality raw material will result in good quality A blower is required to have basic knowledge in art
work. Source of good quality glass is from Italy or with ability to create a work in any shapes. Glass
Europe because of its nice texture, resulting in clear blowing must be done quickly as fire will cause a glass
work with no air bubbles. rod to melt very quickly. A glass blower uses his/her
Theoretical knowledge in chemical is basic imagination to quickly bend, stretch or curve a glass
skill of a glass blower. He or she is supposed to know rod into any shape. Thus, only knowledge in theory
how to mix chemicals at what ratios to connect but lacking imagination, a glass blower cannot perform
each parts of glass properly. this kind of work.

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 It is assumed that glass was originated
naturally from melting stone in a volcano that flew
out as lava during eruption. When the lava flew
along the ground, it melted stone and minerals.
Once it was cooled down, it turned as shinning hard
substance with sharpness attribute. Nowadays, it is
called obsidian. Human at that time used it to make
a weapon. According to historic evidence, it makes
us believe that human knew how to produce glass
for the first time in Egypt and Syria around 4,000
years ago. This belief is valid through the discovery
of glass beads and utensils.
In the past, glass was in black or dark blue
color with opaque attribute. It was commonly used
Background of glass blowing to make utensils or appliances. Later on, it was
developed into clear and colorful glass.
Human know and apply glass to use in various During the 17th century, there was a study
forms. This is because mixture and glass production on glass component. Many new kinds of glass
process can be controlled to meet requirements. were introduced, such as glasses lenses,
Hence, it has been used in various aspects, includ- microscope lenses, and it was also used to make
ing science, industry, telecommunication, engineer- a prism of a spectroscope. Glass was widely used
ing, household appliances and items in daily life or in Europe. It was made into stained glass to
even as small accessories. decorate churches.

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Glass blowing in Thailand
Glass blowing in Thailand started in 1977. After
seeing pieces of broken glass, Ajarn Choo Wiyakarn
brought them all and had them melt using heat and
mold it into animal figures that he liked. He shared this
knowledge within the Faculty of Science, Department
of Chemistry, Chulalongkorn University. Professor
Dr. Thaeb Neelanithi supported to have this glass
blowing included in an academic exhibition of the Faculty
of Science through Science Association which was
held annually. This helped promote glass blowing
until it gained popularity. At present, there is teaching
for art in glass blowing and scientific tools are produced
in many institutions throughout the country. There
are also a lot of freelance glass blowers.
Therefore, glass blowing has gained popularity
among children and adult as a price is not expensive
depending on delicacy of a work. It is commonly
made in animal figures. Children often buy it for
pleasure. As for the exquisite ones, such as the
Royal Barge Suphannahong or 12 zodiac creatures,
are mainly for collecting.

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 Both soft and hard glass can be used for Human have been familiar with glass from
blowing. During practicing, soft glass or soda lime the past up to the present time. Equipment and
glass are used as they can be weakened easily tools are also made of glass. It possesses 3 good
compared to other kinds of glass. Examples of products characteristics, including clarity, strength and
that are made of glass include a glass plate and a durability to chemicals. Moreover, its special features
glass bottle. Strength of soft glass is its choices of can be adjusted to make into other kinds of glass
color which can be changed easily and beautifully. as required. Even though there has been much
However, it has a weak point for fragility so it gets progress in polymer technology development, which
broken easily. results in wider use of plastic in all industries, it still
Another kind of glass that is commonly used cannot completely replace glass.
for glass blowing is hard glass or borosilicate glass. Researches on glass bring about a lot of new
It is in a rod shape at various sizes, which is durable products. Nowadays, glass industry requires specific
to crash and heat. Once it is melted at high expertise to control and produce various kinds of
temperature, its shape still does not change. It also glass product. Even the time passes, the main
endures erosion of chemicals. However, disadvantage components of glass remain the same. Even though
is its limited choices of color. many kinds of glass are available at present, to
produce a glass product that is of low demand, with
low production capacity, an original way of making
glass, such as melting glass in a small oven and
molding manually, is still performed.

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Glass blowing is categorized
by purpose of usage as follows:
Scientific glass blowing refers to glass blowing
to create or to fix glass scientific equipment in a
laboratory. It is used in chemical or other related
experiments or researches. The works are commonly
in a consistent form and size under the same standard,
such as a glass tube, a dropper, a condenser or a
distillation test tube.
Art in glass blowing refers to blowing glass to
create beautiful works such as an ornament or a
souvenir. The works are typically not in a consistent
format, depending on imagination, expertise and a
design of a blower. Examples include glass blowing
into figures of animal or flowers.

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 Glassblower burner

Equipment and tools

for glass blowing
A glassblower burner can be divided into 2 types,
namely a desk glassblower burner and a handheld
glassblower burner. This is considered major equipment
to melt glass until it can be blown into shapes. A
glassblower burner consists of 2 gas tubes for fuel gas
(butane, liquid propane gas or hydrogen) and oxygen.
The end of a tube is sent toward a burner. Once it is
lighted, it provides more than 1,000-degree-Celsius flame.
The second type of a glassblower burner is used to blow
Borosilicate glass. To blow soft glass, a glassblower
burner that provides only 800-degree-celsius heat
Eyeglasses for glass blowing
must be used. Apparently, usage of each type of a
glassblower burner depends on raw material.
Fuel gas that is used with a glassblower burner When to use fuel gas in a glassblower burner,
can be classified as follows: make a proper design that fits with such fuel gas.
- Coal gas is originated from combustion of coal To set temperature of flame depends on what kind
at 1,000 degrees Celsius. This gas is used for soft of fuel gas is mixed with air or oxygen.
glass blowing. It is not used in hard glass blowing. Eyeglasses have lenses that are different from
- Hydrogen is flammable gas that gives high general glasses or sun glasses. This kind of eyeglasses
temperature. If it is used for hard glass blowing, it is has didymium lenses which are special glass that
difficult to control. Thus, it is not recommended to use consists of neodymium oxide and praseodymium
much hydrogen. It is suitable for silicate glass blowing. oxide. Special attribute is that it can absorb up to
- Natural gas, its main element is methane 90% of yellow light that is caused by glass burning
and sub-element is ethane, propane and butane. through flames of various fuel gas and oxygen.
This natural gas is widely used in glass blowing The reason why this yellow light in the flame
thanks to its low price and provides good result. should be eliminated is because it is the light that
- Liquefied petroleum gas consists of propane was caused by sodium in burning glass. Then, it
and butane. It can be used as fuel for glass blowing releases power or emits the yellow light range which
but must be used with a burner that is specially is so bright that it obstructs working of a blower.
designed. The fuel consists of liquid propane and liquid This yellow light also consists of ultraviolet ray which
butane at different ratio. Other hydrocarbon also is dangerous to eyes. The eyeglasses also protect any
exists in small amount. This fuel will be evaporated accident that might happen from glass cutting, glass
once it is used at atmospheric pressure. Liquefied extension which might cause any cullet to bounce
petroleum gas is odorless, colorless, harmless but into the eyes. Thus, these eyeglasses must be worn
flammable. Use it with caution. at all time while working on glass blowing.

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 A pair of flat nose pliers and a pair of long Apart from aforementioned knowledge, glass
nose pliers are used to squeeze or pinch glass. blowing also requires other necessary basic techniques,
A file to cut glass to make a scratch before including flame control, turning glass while working,
breaking with hands. blowing in a glass tube, shortening and stretching glass.
A triangle to core glass. It is used to core inside Blowing art glass is to adapt glass which might be
a glass tube to be hollow or to expand. hollow or full into various shapes as desired. It can be
Emery grain in a triangle form made as household appliances, such as a candlestick,
An igniter for gas fire a bowl or other decoration stuff in a shape of animal,
A spike to drill glass fruit, construction like a tower, the Royal Barge
A steel ruler Suphannahong. All these things have artistic value. It
Fireproof asbestos sheet can be used to develop concentration and imagination
Carborundum to cut glass of a blower. Imagination is deemed important to create
A glass rod and stained glass in different colors works. If a blower does not have any imagination,
Air compressor at strength of 5 the work will look unrealistic. Thus, a blower is required
to keep practicing to increase experience, boost
better concentration and create more imagination
from what is seen in daily life.

Different types of pliers Glass rod and stained glass

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How to do glass blowing
Art glass blowing is a work that requires delicacy
and beauty according to expertise and experience.
The following should be taken into account:
Materials to be used include both soft and
hard glass, it can be hollow or full in different colors.
Tools, such as a glassblower burner, a flat
nose pliers and a long nose pliers
Understanding the nature of glass on how and
when to work on it to get beautiful work quickly.
Proportion of a replica between an actual
object and a work to be created. It must be in a Bring glass to pass through the fire.
right proportion and at proper size.
Sequence on how to mold an object in a proper
order. For example, to make a four-feet-animal from a full
glass, steps to do are all the same, except for different postures.

Steps of glass blowing

Choose glass at a desired size. Blow the fire
and stretch the glass into 2-3 small rods.
Bring stained glass and full glass to pass
through the fire. Once it is softened, touch the full
glass rod horizontally at both sides and stretch it
together until getting a desired length. Important Mold a body part.
tips for molding, start from molding a body part first.
Once a body part is acquired, proceed with
other parts as desired, such as a leg, a tail, a fin. Use
a pair of pliers to squeeze as desired.
Once a structure is set up as desired, proceed
with other details. Keep the heat up constantly.
While connecting each part together, make sure to
calculate to get the proper heat. If connecting is not
done properly, this would result in a crack.
Check on details and fix any defects of a work.
Once a work is cooled down, cut it from a glass rod.
Once done, leave it until it cools down, which must Clean up every part.
be 2 times longer than the length of working.

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 Transforming a shape of glass as desired can be
done through burning glass until it is melt and then change a
shape by stretching, shortening, bending and blowing.
To decorate a glass rod, a blower must do it
quickly, precisely with confidence. This can be done
through practicing only. To make each work, it has to
be done before the glass becomes hard. In case the
glass becomes hard ahead of time, melt it again and
repeat the process until acquiring a complete work.
Nowadays, there has been much progress in art
glass blowing development. Many tactics are introduced,
such as sand blasting to make a surface turbid, gilding
with gold leaves, coating with flaxseed oil and gilding
with gold leaves. This is to create a value-added
product, to make it more beautiful which is deserved
for collection. The work that is commonly gilded
with gold leaves is mostly a figure of the Royal Barge
Suphannahong that clearly represents Thai identity.
Nowadays, there are not many skilled glass blowers.
However, it is the pride that young generation expresses
much interest in this glass blowing. This can be seen from
training courses of art in glass blowing that is organized
by Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Center. This allows
us to see works of young generation which can be their
occupation and source of income. This is a good sign that
this glass blowing work will not fade out from Thai society.

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References
Interview with Mr.Sumit Ketchom
Basic Glass Blowing Book
www.glasswarechemical.com

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