A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Annealing — art glass, handblown glass
To cool glass by reintroducing a completed object into an auxiliary part of the glass furnace and slowly cooling the object so that any strain created in the glass during the forming process may be released. The critical area for cooling is 1000 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.  
 

Antique Glass — art glass, handblown glass
A trade term for glass more than 25 years old.  
 

Art Glass — art glass, handblown glass
Usually refers to the glass produced in small studios starting in the early 1960's — the Modern Art Glass Movement. Initially it referred to glass produced by a single artist with limited assistance but today it includes pieces produced by teams in the classic style, mostly because the leading exponent, Dale Chihuly, works that way. Pieces are normally unique although often similar in shape and/or color. Art glass artisans: Elodie Holmes, Jade Glass.  
 

B

Bangle — handcrafted jewelry
A stiff bracelet that clasps on or slips over the wrist.  
 

Basalt Wear — ceramics
Baked unglazed stone ware, first developed by Wedgewood in England..  
 

Beads — art glass, handblown glass, ceramics or handcrafted jewelry
Beads have a long history with a recent resurgence of the craft of bead decorating and bead making in glass as well as clay, poly‒clay, and other substances. Standard glass beads are made on a mandrel, usually working at the torch rather than the furnace. Beads using techniques similar to marble work can be made by blowing a thick hollow tube. Trade beads (as used on American Indian clothing) were made either by blowing and pulling a long thin tube and breaking it into chunks which were smoothed by tumbling or by melting glass on wire and acid removing the wire.  
 

Beach Glass — art glass, handblown glass
Glass formed when glass bottles are naturally tumbled by ocean (or lake) waves, rocks and sand. Beach glass has a smooth, soft, frosted surface.  
 

Bezel — handcrafted jewelry, metal
A wall of metal that surrounds a gemstone, bead or stone and secures it in place.  
 

Bisque Fire — ceramics
The first firing of a clay. Done to drive out chemically combined water and carbonaceous materials prior to glazing.  
 

Bisque, Biscuit — ceramics
Unglazed but fired ware, usually accomplished in a low temperature firing prior to the glaze fire. Can also apply to an unglazed ware fired high, as in porcelain bisque  
 

Bit — art glass, handblown glass
A small bump of glass.  
 

Blown Glass — art glass, handblown glass
The shaping of glass by blowing air through a hollow rod (blowpipe) into the center of a molten glass gather.  
 

Blowpipe — art glass, handblown glass
An iron or steel tube about 5 feet long, for blowing glass. A blowpipe has a mouthpiece at one end and is usually fitted at the other end with a metal ring that helps to retain a gather of glass.