A short explanation of Glass-working:
There are many forms of working with glass, some requiring large expensive furnaces and cooling ovens (for glass blowing)whilst others need only a blow torch (for lampworking) or a small kiln (for slumped glass).
The Phoenicians are traditionally credited with discovering how to make glass,
but it is an unlikely story. According to Pliny the Elder, some Phoenician merchants were on a beach and built a fire. They used blocks
of natron from their cargo, and the heat of the fire fused the sand, natron and
burning wood to produce glass. It isn't a very plausible story because a beach fire
probably wouldn't be hot enough to produce glass.
It was the Romans who discovered that the fluid property of glass as it cools makes it possible to blow a bubble into the glass and create a vessel. And so glass blowing began.
Atoms and molecules move around freely in liquid molten glass.
When it cools the atoms do not form a crystalline structure, as they do in most other materials. Glass stays flexible as it cools
and can be manipulated by blowing a bubble into it, or pulling it around
to make various shapes before it cools and becomes a "super cooled liquid". This is one of the most wonderful features of glass, that make it such a delight for the creative glass artist.
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The following selection of books covers the spread of information needed by glass-
workers. Click on any book cover on this page to read more about a particular book, including price and any available discounts for buying on-line.
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INFORMATION about Bagley Glass!
At last a book on Bagley Glass. The first edition of this book sold out very quickly.
The 2nd Edition is now available and has received a rave response - more information, more and better pictures, new items identified as Bagley for the first time, a helpful index, and more compehensive coverage; - so much so that there is no need for a supporting CD, which brings the price lower!
A truly comprehensive guide to help you identify Bagley Glass.
Click on picture for more details.
2nd Edition US$33.90 plus pp.
INFORMATION about New Zealand Glass !
Including many original catalog pictures and dozens of photographs.
NOW available - this is the first paperback edition of the book
and it covers many contemporary New Zealand glass artists as well as
the history of glass in New Zealand, Crown Crystal Glass and New Zealand bottles.
Price US$29.90 plus pp.
Tiara Glass Collectors' INFORMATION
Click on the picture for more details.
This CD includes original catalogs and advertising leaflets.
There are now at least seven full catalogs, five leaflets, and the 1995 Tiara Product Information Manual.
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