So here’s the (exciting?) conclusion.  After he attaches and shapes the handle, there is a sharp point where the semi molten glass was cut, or stretched, whatever.  Strategically applied torch melts the point and it smooths out.

Way too hot for hands

You got it ok??

Separated, its free!

Now we need sloooow coooling!

Safely inside

So the glass needs like a day to gradually cool down, they put it into this kiln that is, if i remember correctly, around 1000 degrees.  If it was left out to cool, that would be way to quick and the thermal stress would destroy it.  Anybody ever bust a glass or ceramic item by putting boiling water into something that was too cold?  Ya like that but i guess u could say, in reverse.

So they also make lots of colored glass at Corning, here’s a shot of some

Anyway, working with glass is kind of amazing.

You can buy stuff like you see here from the Corning web site

I don’t know which of the glass you see there is made at Corning, I think some is.  But they sell all kinds of glass stuff from all over the world.  There is a 4th of July sale on now, with free shipping.

Corning – its all about glass!!!!!!

This is where it really starts to get cool.  Ya i know it already been pretty cool (well actually its HOT!)

Anyway look as the master gets more glass ready

Now he joins onto the ‘bulb’ with his piece, our apprentice lines it up

Hey look here!  now we detach from the original blowpipe, we have the piece by the other end!

Now reheat the piece, got more magic to perform

Now it time to pierce it!

Then he makes it wider

WIDER

Wider still –

The pear shape is gone!  This will not be a big light bulb.

So did you go see the barge??  HURRY its traveling away!

The 27th – Amsterdam. 28th Canajoharie.

June 30, July 1 Little Falls. GO SEE IT