This section of our web guide focuses on a wide variety of crafting techniques and artistic styles that utilize glass as the primary medium.
These may include glassblowing, caneworking, flameworking, glass casting, glass fusing, glass sculpture, stained glass, knitted glass, and other forms of glass art.
The origins of glassmaking go back to Mesopotamia and Egypt around 2500 BC, where simple beads and containers were crafted by core-forming and casting. By the Roman era, glassblowing emerged, revolutionizing production speed and adding several levels of creativity. In medieval Europe, stained glass reached its zenith in cathedrals, while Venice's Murano workshops advanced the art of caneworking and filigree during the Renaissance. The 20th century saw the emergence of a studio glass movement, led by artists such as Harvey Littleton, who championed small-scale, expressive glassworks.
Glassblowing involves shaping molten glass on a blowpipe by inflation, marvering, and tooling. Traditional forms include free-blown vessels, reticello, and incalmo techniques. Studio glass pioneers adapted traditional factory methods to create one-of-a-kind art pieces, while contemporary artists experiment with large-scale installations and dynamic color layering.
Caneworking uses thin rods of colored glass, called canes, to create patterned cross-sections in vessels and decorative objects. In Venice, artists developed milleflori (thousand flowers) by slicing bundled canes. Modern artisans fuse canes into complex imagery using precision kilns and digital design. Caned paperweights are popular art objects.
Flameworking, also known as lampworking, heats slender glass rods into a flame to form beads, figurines, and small sculptures. Originating with ancient artisans, flameworking experienced a resurgence in the 1960s with the advent of studio glass. Techniques include winding, shaping with tools, and encasing for dimension. Contemporary flameworkers integrate lamp-pulled filaments for intricate line work.
Glass fusing melts layered sheets of colored glass in a kiln to produce flat or slumped artworks. Ancient fusers created dichroic effects by sandwiching metallic films. Contemporary practices include tack fusing for sharp design edges and full fuse for smooth surfaces. Slumping over molds yields bowls, tiles, and architectural panels.
Glass sculpture extends molten and cold-working methods to three-dimensional art. Dale Chihuly, an American artist, popularized monumental, organic installations using team-based hot shops. Cold working (cutting, grinding, polishing) refines surfaces and forms after post-cooling. Newer approaches blend 3D printing for mold creation and robotic assistance in hot glass.
Stained glass is a style of decorative art made by arranging pieces of colored glass into patterns or images, often held together by strips of lead and supported in a rigid frame. When light passes through, it transforms the glass into a vivid display of color and mood. Gothic cathedrals showcased narrative panels with jewel-like luminosity. Louis Comfort Tiffany was an American artist best known for his work in stained glass and is associated with the Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movements. Modern stained glass artists often integrate digital imagery and laminated safety glass for urban facades.
Knitted glass transforms liquid glass into flexible strands that are hand-knit or crocheted, then kiln-fired. Artist Carol Milne pioneered the technique in the early 2000s. It uses glass as a textile product; final pieces retain a knitted structure but gain translucence and fragility. Contemporary practitioners use the technique in large-scale, wearable sculptures.
Other forms of glass art include glass engraving and etching, in which artists use diamond drills or acid to carve surface imagery into glass. Sandblasting is used to create frosted patterns and depth variations. Photographic glass printing is used to embed images beneath the surface layers of glass, and reactive glass incorporates metals or nanoparticles to achieve color-shifting and iridescence effects.
While many contemporary glass artists employ traditional techniques, others employ computational design for molds, eco-friendly glass formulations, and interactive light installations. Collaborative glass studios foster cross-disciplinary work, while digital fabrication expands creative horizons.
Recommended Resources
American Cut Glass Association
The ACGA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study, research, and appreciation of American Brilliant Cut Glass. The organization aims to increase interest, understanding, recognition, and appreciation of this uniquely American art form by providing educational resources, research archives, and community engagement opportunities. Founded in 1978, the association has grown into an international network of collectors, scholars, and enthusiasts. Membership benefits are defined.
https://cutglass.org/
Bernard Katz Glass is a Philadelphia-based studio that specializes in contemporary hand-blown art glass sculpture. With over 25 years of experience, Bernard Katz designs and creates original glass artworks for galleries, art consultants, the design trade, and private collections worldwide. His work has been featured at the Smithsonian Craft Show, the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, and the Long's Park Art Festival. Examples of his work are shown, including glass installations.
https://bernardkatz.com/
The pioneer of kiln-cast knitted glass, Carol Milne's process involves knitting a wax "yarn" pattern, encasing it in a refractory mold, melting out the wax, and firing lead-crystal frit at approximately 1530 °F, so that the molten glass infuses the mold cavity. After cooling, the mold material is removed to unveil the intricate glass knitwork. Her collections and projects are highlighted, upcoming events and exhibitions are posted, and an online shopping area is included.
https://www.carolmilne.com/
Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the glass blowing studio offers custom glasswork, fabrication, and repairs, including online shopping capabilities. The studio address, a map showing its location, and contacts are posted, along with a schedule, information, and online registration for a variety of classes, camps, workshops, and other activities. Studio rental policies and fees are posted, and a glass-blowing glossary is included. Vouchers and gift cards may be purchased online.
https://www.eastfallsglass.com/
Glass Art Magazine is a premier publication dedicated to contemporary glass art. It delivers in-depth articles on creative techniques, studio processes, artist interviews, and industry news for emerging and established glass artists. Regular features include "Tech Talk," "Show Talk," and "Glass Talk," as well as independent artist profiles, curated photo essays featuring recent works, expert Q&As, marketing guidance on running a glass art business, and an online store.
https://www.glassartmagazine.com/
Glass artists, associated initially with Flametree Glass in Orlando, Florida, formed a local glass club in affiliation with the International Society of Glass Beadmakers in the early 2000s, incorporating in 2006. Now boasting a membership throughout the United States, the organization meets via Zoom. Its origins, officers, and volunteer opportunities are set forth, along with membership information, a spotlight on member artisans, activity schedules, events, and video tutorials.
https://theglassdragons.com/
Offering resources, tutorials, and reviews for anyone interested in learning or deepening their glassblowing practice, the website spans from absolute beginner guides to in-depth equipment comparisons and state-by-state class listings. Included are how-to guides, step-by-step tutorials, a beginner startup guide, in-depth reviews and equipment comparisons, interviews, artist profiles, classes in the United States, a history of the craft, and links to other online resources.
https://glassblowingforbeginners.com/
LF is an online platform that seeks to demystify the art of lampworking. It guides readers through foundational definitions, compares flameworking versus glassblowing, and helps to decide which medium suits their interests and budget. Also known as lampworking or torchworking, flameworking involves standing or sitting in front of a bench-mounted torch that reaches temperatures exceeding 4,000°F. The process is defined, with comparisons to glassblowing. Contacts are included.
https://learnflameworking.com/
Designed to guide beginners and curious hobbyists through the fundamentals of glassblowing, the site offers clear explanations, step-by-step processes, and practical tips for both studio and at-home setups. Its main sections include a regularly updated "Home & Bog," covering a range of topics, as well as "Basics," with definitions of glassblowing terms, safety measures, and other beginner topics, "The Process," a rundown of how molten glass is gathered, and "Tips," with pointers on techniques.
https://learnglassblowing.com/
Based in Englewood, New Jersey, Mostly Glass is a combination gallery and high-end gift shop, representing artists from several countries, but mostly in the United States, Italy, and France. While its focus shifts seasonally, it carries art glass from established and emerging artists. The website features clear sections for browsing by artist, exploring exhibits, learning about glassmaking techniques, placing orders, and making contact. A form is available for online ordering of art pieces.
https://mostlyglass.com/
The Museum of Glass is a contemporary art museum dedicated to artworks made with glass. You can learn about the process of making glass art on this site. One can also find information about the museum's educational programs from this site. You can also find information on the museum's exhibitions here. Ticket sales, directions, parking, and accommodations for private events are outlined, along with an introduction to the team, visiting artists, and an online shopping area.
https://www.museumofglass.org/
Based in Paden City, West Virginia, Paul Wissmach Glass Company is one of the oldest continually operating art glass manufacturers in the United States. The company has been hand-crafting colored sheet glass and kiln-fusing products for artists, designers, and craftsmen worldwide since the early 20th century. The company produces two main lines: art glass and kiln glass, along with complementary frits, powders, and cullet. A list of distributors and online shopping are available.
https://wissmachglass.com/
Founded by Robin Mohr, the Fort Wayne, Indiana studio has been teaching, designing, and creating stained glass art for over 30 years. The studio location is posted on the website, along with a telephone number and email address; however, studio visits are by appointment only. Classes and field trips are highlighted, and interested individuals may sign up. The studio's repair, restoration, custom glass artwork, and services are outlined. A virtual gallery features past projects.
https://robinsstainedglassstudio.com/
Stained Glass Association of America, The
Formed as the National Ornamental Glass Manufacturers Association in 1903, the SGAA is a trade association that protects the United States' ornamental and stained-glass industries from foreign competition, particularly from cheaper European glass imports. Its publications include a quarterly magazine, "Stained Glass," which has been published continuously since 1906, and the "Sourcebook," a guide for professionals on accredited studios and articles promoting the use of stained glass work.
http://www.stainedglass.org/
Talking Out Your Glass is a podcast dedicated to the art of glassmaking. Hosted by Shawn Waggoner, former editor of Glass Art Magazine, it features in-depth interviews with leading contemporary glass artists from around the world. Each episode delves into the techniques, inspirations, and evolving challenges of artists in glass art. Topics have included traditional furnace and torch methods, borosilicate sculpture, and sustainable studio practices. A shopping area is included.
https://talkingoutyourglass.com/
