Lampwork is the centuries old art of manipulating glass with fire to form small treasures. A rod of colored glass is introduced to the flame and as the glass rod begins to melt it is touched to a steel rod(mandrel) that has been coated in a liquid ceramic. As the mandrel is slowly turned the molten glass begins to wrap around it in layers.
The mass of molten glass is pushed and pulled and formed into unlimited shapes; combining and layering colors, metals, and even air to create limitless possibilities. It is so much fun! It's sort of a combination of art and science fair every day!
Once each treasure is completed it is placed, still glowing hot, into an annealing kiln where it is kept at nearly 1000 degrees for a time and then cooled down at the rate of 100 degrees an hour. This annealing process is critical in ensuring the strength and durability that allows these treasures to last for generations.
