Glass Blowing

Glass blowing is an amazing art form. An artist heats sand and other materials until they melt into liquid glass. Then the artist dips a long metal pipe into the hot glass and blows air through it. The glass puffs up like a bubble and can be shaped into vases, bowls, and sculptures.

How Glass Blowing Works

Glass must be heated to over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit to melt. The artist gathers a blob of hot glass on the end of a blowpipe. They blow gently to make a bubble inside. Then they use tools to shape the glass while it is still hot and soft. The glass cools and becomes hard.

History of Glass Blowing

Glass blowing was invented about 2,000 years ago in the Middle East. The island of Murano near Venice, Italy, became very famous for glass blowing. Artists there made beautiful colored glass. Today, glass blowing is done all over the world. People make art, jewelry, and useful items from glass.

Fun Facts

• Glass is made mostly from sand that has been heated to a very high temperature.
• The island of Murano in Italy has been famous for glass blowing for over 700 years.
• Glass blowers must wear special gear to protect themselves from the extreme heat.

Did You Know?

On the island of Murano, glass blowers were once forbidden from leaving because their skills were considered a national secret!