A glassblower is a craftsperson who shapes molten glass by blowing air into it through a long metal tube called a blowpipe. The process works like this: the glassblower gathers a blob of extremely hot, glowing glass (heated to over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit) onto the end of the blowpipe, then carefully blows into the other end. This creates a bubble inside the glass, which the artist can then shape by rolling, swinging, or using special tools while the glass stays soft and pliable.

Glassblowing requires intense concentration and timing. The glass cools quickly, so glassblowers must work fast, constantly reheating their pieces in a special furnace to keep the glass workable. They create everything from delicate ornaments and vases to scientific equipment and light bulbs. Master glassblowers can form incredibly thin walls, intricate shapes, and brilliant colors by adding different minerals to the glass.

The craft dates back over 2,000 years to ancient Rome, where glassblowers revolutionized glassmaking by creating vessels much faster than the older method of molding. Today you can watch glassblowers at work in studios and museums, where the combination of fire, breath, gravity, and skill transforms a glowing blob into beautiful, functional art.