Turning Up the Heat

But Make It Art

Skill, precision, patience, and a whole lot of practice. These are the elements essential to glass blowing.

I recently had the opportunity to take a class to create a glass mushroom pendant with Lydia Leung, a glassware artist based here in Los Angeles. To begin, we practiced twirling a glass rod with our non-dominant hand, trying to keep the rod as still as possible. Not only is this difficult, it seemingly felt heavier by the second.

After what felt like my arm could no longer continue, it was time to bring the rod to heat. The torch is turned on and once again, the twirling begins. The tip of the rod begins to form what looks like a marble in the flame, but more lopsided as it’s my first go.

Tilting and twirling the rod combined with gravity, and somehow the shape begins to resemble something more round. Another glass rod that is colored is punctured into the pendant forming a mushroom from its impact.

I step away from the torch, taking in the sudden decrease in temperature. I did it! To end the class, I let my pendant cool on a kiln before taking it home.

— Sarina

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