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Have you ever looked at cool glass sculptures like this and wondered how they are made?
Photo by Stephen on UnsplashLook no further! Glass blowers are artists that create sculptures like this — and other works of art like vases to jewellery — out of glass.
What Do They Do?
Plan the design for the glass product
Gather the required tools (e.g. stencils, engraving plates, and more!) and materials (multiple colours if necessary for certain products)
Use various tools such as tweezers and shears to mould and cut the molten glass
Blow air through pipes to adjust the glass to the desired size
Where Do They Work?
Glass blowers might work in a small studio with one or two people or in a large firm with hundreds of people.
These are the two main types of workplaces:
Freelance
They work on their own, using their own studio space
May have a helper or mentor an apprentice glass blower
Manufacturing Firms
They can also work for large manufacturing firms in an assembly line
They each complete one part of the glass product
How Much Do They Earn?
Did you know?
Do I Need A Degree?
No degree required! The best way to get into glassblowing is by securing an apprenticeship with an experienced glass blower.
Hands-on experience is the best way to learn about how to handle glass, managing the heat from furnaces, and more.
Photo by Michael O'Sullivan on UnsplashOther Methods Of Entry Into This Career
A degree/diploma/foundations course in a related field (e.g. ceramics, 2D and 3D art, etc.) can give you a good grasp on design and art needed for glass blowing
Subject-specific courses in glass design and blowing from schools, museums, or freelance glassblowing classes
Is This Career Right For Me?
You will love this job if...
You are good with sudden changes — glass blowing is a delicate process and glass can suddenly break and derail your project
You are comfortable working in a high temperature environment for long periods of time
Look for another job if...
You are unable to work in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time
You have other injuries or health conditions related to your airway — lots of protective equipment is required to prevent burns, cuts, and breathing in toxic fumes and chemicals from materials
Quiz
Amy is interested in creating cool objects out of glass, but she is very sensitive to heat and has weak lungs due to asthma. Would glass blowing be a suitable career for Amy?
Glass blowing would not a suitable career for Amy. The job requires being near intense amounts of heat for long periods of time, and would expose her to hazards that would aggravate her asthma.
Take Action
Still interested in becoming a glass blower? Take these next steps:
This Byte has been authored by
Adrienne Cheng
Designer
BA