About Lampworking

Lampworking is an ancient art that has been practiced in virtual anonymity and isolation for more than 3,000 years. Early lampworking involved manipulation of glass in the flame of an oil lamp while the artist blew air through a pipe and into the flame. Today, traditional oil lamps have been replaced with state-of-the-art torches that burn propane as the fuel and oxygen as the oxidizer. Lampworking, also known as flame-working or torch-working, is demonstrated by using a torch to melt and shape the glass into the desired form. Today, experienced lampworkers possess individual skill but share varied techniques with fellow glass artists to evolve this expanding art form. Indeed, lampworking adds verve and vitality to the diverse craft of glassmaking.

The process

The modern method of forming beautiful pieces of glass jewellery stems from traditional lampworking. Raw materials such as rods, tubes, or crushed up pieces of glass called frit, are amalgamated into diverse creations. These mediums are available in a wide variety of colours, permitting versatility for individual artists. When heated, glass can be poured into a variety of molds (often used for mass production) or twisted and stretched into unlimited shapes for personal behests. The desired shape is formed with the help of gravity and selected fireproof tools creating a hand-made item. Once the piece of glass attains the desired shape, it is placed in an annealing oven or kiln at a high temperature for a predetermined amount of time. The temperature is slowly decreased to prevent fracturing of the finished product, and the product is then removed from the kiln and cooled completely.

Lampworking requires patience and practice. Understanding the necessary temperatures needed for glass to amalgamate smoothly, knowing where and how to apply decorative effects, and judging the use of complementary colours are all part of the mysterious and creative processes used by individual artists. These elements are explored with each piece until the artist is satisfied with the quality of the craftsmanship and personal expression.

The Glass

Borosilicate glass, or Pyrex, is a type of hard glass that is utilized in a variety of methods and forms of glass work. When using a torch, Pyrex melts at an extremely high temperature in excess of 2000F. This hard glass is more forgiving medium as it has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion (COE) than soft glass. The low COE, or low shock resistance, makes it less apt to fracture at high temperatures, and is therefore the most durable glass available to artists.

A word from the artist

Wishing to expand my knowledge of the fundamentals of lampworking, in the year 2000, I had the unforgettable experience of traveling to Red Deer Art College in Alberta. There, the lampworking program allowed me to meet many other lampworkers from various cities across North America and assisted in the progression of my individual skills. My enthusiasm towards glasswork soared! I then understood that my previous hobby of lampworking had grown into an essential part of my life. Suddenly, building a home studio was no longer an internal debate, but a crucial step toward fulfilling an unrelenting urge. For the most part, I am self-taught. I thrive on self-discovery of new methods to improve my artistic talents. Occasionally, I step into other studios to continue learning from fellow independent artists. Finding a balance between finishing my studies at Traditional Chinese Medicine School and lampworking has brought me to where I am today. Presently, I am self-employed and work from my home studio. I see not only the development of my artistic skills, but also a tiny thread of my personal history in each piece created. It is within this harmonious dualism that my art continues to evolve.

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