Blow

Breath becomes shape

Air through the pipe inflates the gather into a bubble. The wall thins as it grows, and the blower reads the color to know when it's right.

The numbers

pipe        blowpipe, held horizontal
bubble      small, then big — always round first
reheat      glory hole, 2200°F
shape       block, paddle, gravity

Why it matters

Blowing glass is the only craft where your lungs are a tool. The vessel is literally your breath, frozen.