Glassblowing is the art and craft of shaping molten glass by blowing air into it through a long metal tube called a blowpipe. A glassblower heats glass in a furnace until it glows orange and becomes soft like warm honey, then gathers a blob of it on the end of the blowpipe. By blowing gently through the tube while spinning and shaping the glass with tools, the glassblower can create hollow objects like vases, ornaments, drinking glasses, or scientific equipment.

The process requires intense heat (around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit) and careful timing. If the glass cools too much, it becomes too stiff to work with and must be reheated. Skilled glassblowers can add color, create intricate patterns, and shape the flowing glass into remarkably delicate or complex forms.

Glassblowing was invented over 2,000 years ago in the Roman Empire and revolutionized glassmaking. Before this technique, glass objects had to be laboriously shaped in molds or carved from solid blocks. Glassblowing made glass containers faster and cheaper to produce, turning glass from a rare luxury into something ordinary people could use. Today, while machines mass-produce most glass products, artisan glassblowers still practice this ancient craft, creating unique artwork and custom pieces that showcase both their skill and the mesmerizing beauty of glowing, flowing glass.