GLASS
Bristol's Glass Heritage
Bristol is famous for its blue glass, although strangely Bristol Blue Glass was made throughout the country, not just in Bristol. Cobalt smalt was imported into Bristol in the 18th century for English delft and porcelain potters and glassmakers. When the smalt is combined with English lead glass it makes the beautiful Bristol blue glass, which is still made in Bristol today.
What we did
Young people from the BS13 and E2E projects visited the Bristol Blue Glass studios to find out how glass is made and manipulated. Some even had a go a blowing the glass.
The raw sandy material was melted in extremely hot furnaces until it turned to the consistency of treacle. Small amounts then were placed on the end of hollow metal tubes, which were blown and quickly shaped with wet wood before cooling.
Resources
- Bristol Blue Glass Ltd Studios
- Working studio that will do demonstrations by appointment. Unit 2 Kenn Court, South Bristol Business Park, Roman Farm Road, Bristol Tel 0117 9649070. www.bristolblueglass.com
- Bristol Museum has a collection of blue glass produced in Bristol tel.0117 9223571
- Training course can be expensive but can be undertaken with Dorset Rural skills in Blandford (£95 a day) or the Liquid Glass Centre near Trowbridge (£260 for 2 days). www. dorsetruralskills.co.uk
www.liquidglasscentre.co.uk/course_glass_weekend.htm