Glassblowing is our bread and butter and at Angels' Share Glass, we have some of the finest and most experienced glassblowers in Scotland working with Angels' Share Glass and of course our very own Tom Young MBE master glassblower.
It is a craft we are immensely proud of, but we are sure not a lot of people know about some of the techniques and processes we use to bring you the finished products that you can see displayed in our online store or on display at the many festivals we exhibit at throughout the year.
Below is a fact-filled list of quite a few, "did you knows...!"
- GLASS IS NEITHER A SOLID OR LIQUID
It behaves as both, the best example of this is in historic churches with stained glass. If you were to measure the thickness of the window at the top of the window is thinner than the bottom as the glass, even though appearing solid, has sunk over many years to the bottom.
- RECYCLABLE
Unlike plastic, it is 100% recyclable as it can be melted down and reformed.
- METAL OXIDES ARE ADDED TO MAKE SOLID GLASS COLOURS
e.g. gold, copper and platinum - pink or cranberry glass is seen as the most valuable as it requires gold.
- EVIDENCE OF GLASS BLOWING CAN BE FOUND AS FAR BACK AS THE EGYPTIANS
2500BC - used in jewellery as beads and amulets. The Egyptians are thought to be the 1st culture to use it in their art & culture.
- OUR FLAME BURNERS REACH TEMPERATURES OF UP TO 3000*c
Glass does melt at around 1500*c but the application of the heat we require needs almost double that.
- THE ANGEL REQUIRES BOTH SOLID GLASS ROD AND HOLLOW GLASS TUBING
It is actually made in 5 stages. The final stage is our trade secret! So that’s all we're saying about that.
- THE WATER DROPPER IS HAND BLOWN JUST LIKE THE MAJORITY OF OUR OTHER PRODUCTS
It is made from one continuous piece of tubing, Instead of using lathes we use hand turning as well as free/hand-blowing techniques which require more attentive skilled.
- EVERY PRODUCT WE MAKE IS UNIQUE
Because we have several glass blowers making our products each angel can have a unique edit to them. Such as the slightest of difference in style of the wings whilst still maintaining the required specification.
In the next few days, we will be offering you the chance to book a glassblowing experience half day at Angels' Share Glass studios in Bridge of Allan. INFORMATION is available and watch our social channels for prices and dates. The places will be very limited so be quick!