Crafting hand-blown glassware takes an incredible amount of skill and precision. Master blowers are people who have invested years of their lives learning how to produce beautiful or serviceable objects from molten glass. Beautiful pieces of hand-blown glassware become glasses, vases, curios, plates, and many other objects that are serviceable or conversation pieces. There are so many different things you can make with hand-blown glassware and these pieces go beyond beautiful.

Hand-blown glassware begins as plain old glass, broken down and melted in large furnaces that can reach temperatures well above 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. A apprentice will suffer many burns while learning to create hand-blown glassware, but they are worth it when you see that final product. Even veterans and master blowers aren t immune to burned skin from accidents, so the trade is one that requires a careful hand and maximum safety.

How Glass Objects Are Crafted

To create a piece of hand-blown glassware, the crafter dips his blowpipe into the molten glass, gathering a blob on the end. The pipe is hollow and allows him to blow down into the liquid glass to expand the material to the size and shape he wants. The crafter gently spins the pipe while blowing into the pipe, so that wall expansion is even throughout. Spinning also prevents the glass from dripping, as the material is heavy when left alone, the blob of glass will slowly sag and become unworkable.

Not only is hand-blown glassware formed into a final piece through blowing, spinning, and expansion, but the crafter must use pincers and scissors to shape the blob. He will have to do this many times to get the right shape and form that he wants. The molten glass can be pinched and pulled out to create an assortment of additions, such as handles for mugs or pitchers, or even feet or fins for animals and fish. There really is no limit to the imaginative results of hand-blown glassware. Pieces of glass can also be cut off, or used to form grooves in the final product. The possibles are endless and results breath taken.

Crafters will need to reheat and soften the material many times to get the desired shape for glass hardens when exposed to cooler temperatures and air. Once the piece is complete, the hand-blown glassware is separated from the blowpipe and returned to a separate furnace that is used to slowly cool the glass down to prevent cracking. Leaving the final piece either delicate or sturdy, beautiful or serviceable. No matter what, each piece of hand-blown glassware is a work of art and was created with both passion for the craft and skill by the blower.

Franciscan Desert Rose (USA Backstamp) 5 1/4" by 2 1/4" 5" Glassware Libby Tulip Tumbler

Franciscan Desert Rose (USA Backstamp) 5 1/4" by 2 1/4" 5" Glassware Libby Tulip Tumbler Franciscan Desert Rose (USA Backstamp) is a versatile pattern that will work with a wide range of decors. Other serving and accessory pieces may be available, complete (or start) your pattern today! Gladding, McBean & Co., began production of Franciscan dinnerware in 1934 at their plant in Glendale, California. The company name was altered to Franciscan Ware in the late 1930's to allow for a more upscale and broader image. Shortly thereafter, the company introduced raised relief, hand painted patterns that proved hugely successful. Desert Rose was one of them and has become the most sold American dinnerware of all time. Franciscan introduced their Fine China line in 1942. This was marketed as Franciscan Masterpiece China after 1958 and production continued in the United States until 1978. At the pinnacle of its fame, Franciscan pieces were purchased by some of America's most famous families. Noteworthy are the 1961 order by Jacqueline Kennedy for Masterpieces China to be used on Air Force One and the 1969 selection by the Richard Nixons of Franciscan Masterpieces China for service aboard the Presidential yacht. American production of Franciscan Ware ceased in 1984, following the announcement to relocate all Franciscan production to England.