The Art and Craft of Flameworking

    Flameworking often produces glass pieces that possess intricate details that look as if they had been drawn on the glass. But flameworking artists don't work with pencils. Their creations are born out of fire and manipulated by metal - a much more dramatic way to make art.
    When you watch a flameworking artist, you don't sit politely admiring each movement of his or her hand. Oh no. You sit on the edge of your seat waiting in anticipation and marveling at the way the glass bends and moves at the artist's will. It's a captivating process that tiptoes on the edge of danger. The artist's fingers move inches away from the flames working with a medium that shatters with one slip of the hand.
    And while you're completely entranced - practically falling out of your chair in amazement, the flameworking artist views it as routine as slipping on a pair of socks. At least that's how it played out when I visited flameworking artist Ben Taylor at Louisville Glassworks. His overall modesty towards the subject shocked me as he casually talked about the tools of his trade.
    "Flameworking is basically using a propane oxygen torch, which the propane is the flammable segment of it," Ben said. "The oxygen is propelling and it heats up the flame. So the oxygen allows the propane to burn much hotter."
    And he said it so casually, as if everyone works with a flame over 2,000 degrees right in front of his or her chest. Yes, that's right. The flame is over 2,000 degrees. You don't want to get your fingers caught in that, and yet flameworking artists hold their sticks of borasilic glass just inches away from the flame.
    I asked Ben if his fingers ever get a bit toasty, and he replied that they don't get that hot.
    "I guess glass is a fairly good insulator ie. fiberglass insulation, etc., etc.," Ben said.
   But flameworking artists still get burned every once in awhile, even if it's just a small flame jumping at their fingers. I guess that's the price you pay for working with such a beautiful material.
    In a matter of minutes, Ben can take an average stick of clear glass and turn it into a stunning horse head that is so realistic I find it hard to take my eyes off of it. The horse head shimmers and sparkles in the light, and might possibly be the most beautiful bottle stopper I have ever seen. But then again, maybe it's the magic of watching the artist in action.
    Ben's hands work quickly, expertly bending and moving the glass with pliers, tweezers and a common kitchen spoon. I asked him what's his secret. How does he turn the glass into such beautiful art?
    "You need the glass to be able to move; however, it's all about control with the heat," Ben said. "You don't want it too hot. You want part of the glass to move - be more malleable - while another section of it is stiffer so you actually have something to push against."
    Such a simple concept, yet it's so hard to master. Flameworking takes practice, incredible hand-eye coordination and of course a god pair of glasses. But not just any glasses. Ben wears special glasses that not only protect his eyes, but allow him to see the glass he's working with.
    "[The glasses] filter out what's called the soda flair that bright yellow flair that you see," Ben said. "Without the glasses [flameworking] would be extremely difficult."
    With the help of the glasses, the common kitchen spoon and a few other tools, Ben makes beautiful flameworked glass art that range from decorative bottle stoppers to ornaments to sculptures. Each piece is absolutely stunning, and if you ever stop by Louisville Stoneware, look Ben up and tell him that his job is much cooler than he thinks.