In the Glow of the Torch: A Closer Look at Flameworking

Flameworking with an oil lamp. (Curiosity Highly Gratified Mr. Hermann, Artist in Glass. Hull, England: T. Topping, 1814.)

When most people think of glass art, they think of Blown Away, the reality glassblowing competition TV series. The giant furnaces, blowpipes, and molten gobs of glass being spun into grand, sweeping pieces. That world is breathtaking, but it’s only one side of the craft. There’s another branch of glasswork that’s just as exciting, just as creative, and often far more intimate: flameworking.

Also known as lampworking, flameworking uses glass rods and tubes heated in an open flame, usually a torch, and shaped by hand with specialized tools. The name “lampworking” comes from the oil lamps originally used to heat the glass, a technique that dates back thousands of years and spans cultures across the globe. The more modern term “flameworking” reflects today’s tools: propane(or other gases)/oxygen‑fuel torches instead of oil or paraffin lamps.

How Sage Uses It
Sage spends a lot of her time at the bench, where she creates small, detailed pieces, like her bees and mini hard candies that end up as part of the whimsical things people love her for. When she’s not at the bench, she’s often standing beside it, putting time in on her glass lathe.

Her background as a scientific glassblower gives her a few extra tricks that many flameworkers don’t have. Its precise spinning motion frees her hands, letting her hold additional tools like marvers or even extra torches to apply heat exactly where she needs it. It’s a blend of science and artistry that gives her work its signature precision and personality.

What Kind of Glass Do Flameworkers Use?
Flameworkers typically work with two main types of glass: soft glass and borosilicate. Each has its own strengths, melting temperatures, and artistic possibilities.

• Soft glass (soda‑lime): Made from silica, soda ash, and limestone, soft glass melts at a lower temperature and comes in an enormous range of colors. It’s beloved in the bead‑making world and is often used for bright, decorative work where color variety is key.
• Borosilicate (boro): Made from silica and boric oxide, boro is stronger, more durable, and more heat‑resistant. It’s the glass used in scientific labs, functional pieces, and small sculptural work that needs to withstand stress and temperature changes.​

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What Does Sage Use?
Sage works exclusively with borosilicate glass. Its durability and stability make it perfect for the kind of detailed, precise work she’s known for — from tiny bees to sculptural mushrooms to her lathe‑formed pieces. Boro gives her the freedom to push heat, structure, and technique without worrying about fragility, and it’s a natural fit for her scientific background.

Flameworking may happen on a smaller scale than furnace work, but it’s every bit as captivating, especially in the hands of someone who knows how to push the material. Whether she’s shaping tiny bees, forming candy‑like sculptures, or working on the lathe with scientific precision, Sage brings a blend of artistry, technique, and curiosity to every piece she makes.

Every piece Sage makes starts with a flame, a rod of boro, and a spark of imagination. If you’d like to support her work or see what she’s creating next, visit the shop or join her online community for updates and behind‑the‑scenes glimpses.

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